Catholic Doctrine Bible Study

Key Points: 21:1-4 (The Widow’s Offering) We should give out of our first earnings,(The IRS isn’t stupid!), not just out of our abundance.  (That includes teaching your kids to give out of their allowance.) 22:35-38  The swords Jesus told the apostles to get were a metaphor:  we are to “arm” ourselves for “battle.”  (Knowing our faith, prayer, sacraments, etc.) 23:32-43 The one on the cross who “went to confession” was granted forgiveness and did his Purgatory on THIS earth.  (On a cross!)God’s mercy is always available to us if we seek it, even at the end of our life. 24:13-35 (on the walk to Emmaus)  The men didn’t recognize Jesus until Jesus “took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them” (v30).  We must recognize Jesus in the Eucharist!! 24:36-50 The  Apostles didn’t understand Him until they had an encounter with the RESURRECTED Christ, which emboldened them. We encounter the resurrected Christ, just as the 2 followers on the walk to Emmaus and the Apostles, at Mass!

 Key Points: 16:1-9 The Master did not commend the steward for being dishonest; he FIRED him for that.  He commended the steward for forgoing his short-term commission (which may have been a normal charge) in exchange for long-term security through better relations with the master’s clients.  Moral:  We must put our own long-term (eternal!!) interests above our short-term earthly interests. We must put money in it’s proper perspective relative to eternal life. 17:7-10  We cannot pay back Christ for the gift He has given us:  we are servants with a job to do.  We owe Him, not the other way around! 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus)  Emphasis:  Treatment of the poor, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness. (What is your plan to help the needy? We are not saved by faith alone, at least not in the way Luther meant it! Faith means a relationship, which necessitates service.)

Key Points: Luke 13:6-9  God has patience with us, but we must ultimately “bear fruit” by developing a relationship with God, and all that goes with that, including taking care of those who need help. Luke 14:13, Luke 16:19-31  Take care of the poor, the outcasts!!    Luke 14:33 We must get rid of whatever is standing in our way to a walk with Jesus. Luke 15:8-10 Does your relationship with Christ, the idea of eternal life with Him, give you joy??  (Nothing  could/should possibly give you more joy!)

Key Points: Forgiveness mentioned 6x in 9verses Lk. 7:42-50.  YOU can be forgiven by God.  Who do YOU need to forgive? Lk. 9:51-56 and Lk10:25-37 (Good Samaritan) -Mercy towards enemies. Lk10:38-42(Martha and Mary) Don’t let life’s busyness keep you from a closer encounter with the Lord!

Key Points: 2:41-52  It’s important to be obedient to your parents, but God comes first!! 4:16-30 Jesus’ message of salvation is for all who will follow, even those that we don’t like!

Key Points: Ch.2 v. 1- Skeptics would say Caesar Augustus never ordered an empire-wide census. (Cencuses were typically recorded for purposes of taxation.)  This census may have been to, instead, register that subjects swore allegiance to the emperor. v.2 Skeptics would say Quirinius was not the governor of Syria until years after Christ was thought to be born.  Answer: perhaps he was like a “leutenant governor” at the time, so he was involved in “governing”, perhaps in charge of a smaller area. “First-born” was a legal term, and did not mean that there was necessarily a “second-born.”  (Regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity.) The value of the poor in Luke’s birth-of-Jesus account: Shepherds- the lowest of the low. Manger (feeding trough for animals.) Mary’s sacrifice at temple of 2 birds was that required of the poor, per Lev. 12:8. Simeon proclaims Jesus will be “revelation to the GENTILES”, another of Luke’s themes.

Key Points: Ark contained Manna(bread), 10 Commandments (Word of God), and Aaron’s Staff (authority of God). Mary’s womb contained Jesus, (the “Bread of Life”, The Word of God, and the authority of God. Lk1:35 “overshadow”Mary, Exodus 40:35 God’s cloud overshadowed ark. Lk1:41 John “leapt” in Elizabeth’s womb. 2Sam6:14-16 David “leapt” with joy upon recovering Ark. Lk1:43 Elizabeth “Why is this granted to me?”  2Sam6:9 David asks same thing about privilege of recovering Ark. Lk 1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for “3 months.”  2Sam6:11 Ark stayed with a keeper for 3 months. Mary not to be touched sexually. (Perpetual Virginity).  Ark not to be touched, or death!!  2Sam6:7 Ark and Mary together!!! (End of Revelation 11, beginning of Chapter 13.

Key Points: Luke was a Gentile, his emphasis was that Jesus came for ALL regardless of ethnicity or status.  Women tended to be the heroes.  Emphasis on the value of the poor and treatment of them. Emphasis of the Holy Spirit. The gospel of JOY! Emphasis on forgiveness. Emphasis on prayer. Luke not an eyewitness to Christ’s ministry but a travelling companion of Paul. Also wrote Acts of the Apostles. 50+% of “Mark” (source document for Luke) material is in “Luke.” Chapter 1 - Only gospel that talks about John the Baptist’s conception and birth. Elizabeth - a hero. V26 - Mary a hero. V35 - “Power of Most High will OVERSHADOW” Mary. (Important for Ark of Covenant analogy to come.)

Key Points: Mark travelled with Paul and was a disciple of Peter.  Not one of The 12, but a young follower.  His mother is thought to be the owner of the Upper Room where the Last Supper was held and also the first Novena at Pentecost. Mark’s gospel thought to be: A)First Gospel written (60-70AD?) B)“Peter’s Gospel” C)Source document for Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels.  (80-90% of Mark is in Matthew, 50% of Mark is in Luke. All but 31 verses are part of “Matthew”or “Luke.” ) Mark’s is shortest of Gospels: No Genealogy of Jesus, very short Resurrection account. Emphasizes Jesus’ ACTIONS instead of his WORDS. (Unlike Matthew’s.) Written to gentile CHRISTIANS, probably in Rome.  (As opposed to Matthew, which was written originally for primarily JEWISH converts.) “Messianic Secret” Jesus is also the Suffering Servant The disciples don’t understand Jesus during his earthly ministry.  They’re downright stupid, including Peter! (Again, Peter is relaying incidents in retrospect to Mark. Peter didn’t understand Jesus well until AFTER the Resurrection.) Despite it’s shortness, Mark gives details in stories that Matthew and Luke don’t include. “Mark’s” writings end with Chapter 16:8. The rest of 16 was added by another author by the end of the 1st Century, but still canonical per the Church. Don’t try verse 18 at home!!!  It should be understood as hyperbole!!

Key Points: Why believe in the Resurrection? See 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.  Over 500 people witnessed the Resurrected Christ. So, our faith is not blind faith. Christ’s resurrection gives us hope in our own resurrection and eternal life with Him. Mt 28:19 The Apostles were not instructed to write a book, but to make disciples.  Jesus said that he would be with them (His One Church!!) until the end of the age. In spite of the errors and grievous sins of the leaders of his One Church, his Church is prevented from TEACHING error on matters of faith and morals. How are you doing in your disciple-making efforts?  Pray for God’s grace to recognize those that you can share the Gospel with, the method and time to approach them, and the Holy Spirit to open their hearts.