Catholic Doctrine Bible Study

Key Points “Judge not, lest ye be judged!”  means we are not to judge a person’s eternal destiny.  We also don’t necessarily know what’s going on in that person’s life that may lessen their culpability.  BUT, we ABSOLUTELY must judge whether an act is moral or not.  There are moral absolutes!  We must be introspective about our own lives through frequent examination of conscience, asking friends, etc. “Do not throw your pearls before swine.”  While we are to witness to all, there’s a time, a place, and a way to share the Gospel.  It is best sometimes to avoid a confrontation, pray for that person, pray for a better set of circumstances in which to share, and pray for other people to witness that the subject might listen to.  “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still!” Jesus is not preaching a “prosperity Gospel.”  God WILL give us what we ask for, for the good of our relationship with him, for our eternal salvation, and the good of HIS kingdom, but this world can be tough! Our deeds, our fruits, are an essential part of our relationship with God. (See verse 21.)  We are not “saved by faith alone” in the sense that many understand the phrase.  What are YOU doing for God’s Kingdom? What foundation are YOU building your life on?  (There’s only one that won’t crumble!)

Key Points: Our attitudes are as important as our actions.  (Do we do good things (prayer, fasting, good deeds) to promote OUR good name, or GOD’S?) Prayer: A conversation with God.  It’s all about a growing RELATIONSHIP with God. (We can’t have a RELATIONSHIP without COMMUNICATION!) We pray for GOD’S will to be done.  (And for our will to become one with GOD’S will.)  We are merciful to others because of God’s mercy toward us. Our lasting treasure is eternal life with God.  NOTHING else lasts!

Key Points “Do not kill” means more than physical murder- do we kill other people’s spirit with harsh words? Examination of conscience (see attached example) is essential to our relationship with God. Marriage is a Sacrament, to be entered into only once during the life of a couple; annulment is NOT “Catholic divorce.” “Turn the other cheek” is another example of Jesus’ use of hyperbole.  Though we are not to be doormats, we are not to escalate a bad situation.  We don’t always have to have the last word! Do we pray for those that we don’t like? As part of being Salt and Light to the world,  we are to speak out politically regarding Church teaching.  (Even though neither party fully embraces Catholic teaching....see attached.) https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/a-detailed-catholic-examination-of-conscience-2nd-ed..pdf https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VOTGNDSFfdkKqCNnYQFScLH4y5jjgU2x/view?usp=sharing

Key Points: “Poor in spirit” are those who realize they don’t have all the answers and they need God’s guidance. WE are to be “salt and light” to the world- - we should be influencing our culture instead of being influenced by the attitudes of the world. Jesus is calling us not merely to external observance of rules, but to an internal transformation of our hearts. Jesus frequently uses HYPERBOLE to get our attention. (5:22, 29, 30)  (Don’t cut your hand off!) Jesus holds the moral bar quite high!  None of us can reach it on our own!  But, he provides us His death on the cross as payment for our sins, grace to change, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we fail. We must do a frequent examination of conscience.  How am I treating my brother?  Am I a bad example to others? Am I shining the light of Christ? See attached https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ndJ-GI0zG0F0Yj20NURihw5-LIHBh1nt/view?usp=sharing

Key Points: When “tempted”, Jesus looks to Scripture for answers, as we should. When tempted, we know that Jesus can relate to us.

Key Points: John the Baptist is the New Testament fulfillment  of Old Testament prophets Isaiah ( quotation), and Elijah (attire).  For Jews even today, Elijah is awaited to show them their Messiah. There IS a Hell! The Trinity is implicit in scripture, but not explicit.  We needed the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, to define the relationships in the Trinity.  (See Session 1 about why the Catholic Church has that unique authority.)

Key Points: Matthew seeks to show the connection  between Jesus and Moses and David through 4 Old Testament quotations in this Chapter alone. The gifts of the Magi reflect Jesus’ Role as King (gold), Priest (frankincense), and Sacrifice (myrrh). Again, though Matthew’s and Luke’ account of Jesus’ birth and first visitors are quite different, they are not contradictory. The Magi travelled far and risked much to find Jesus.  How passionate is your search to know Jesus? OT Joseph’s dreams , as with NT Joseph’s dreams, ultimately resulted in a trip to Egypt, where his people were ultimately saved. The Holy Family’s refugee status may cause us to contemplate and soften our hearts towards potential refugee immigrants in our own country. The horrible slaughter of the innocents in Mt. 2 reminds us of the slaughter of countless millions through the sin of abortion, and that we must work and pray to end this awful practice.

Jesus’ birth story per Matthew....Was Mary really a Perpetual Virgin?” Key Points: Joseph is the “hero” of Matthews account. (Vs Mary the “hero” in Luke’s account.)  This is not a contradiction, just a difference of emphasis. Joseph a great example for us: He chose to forego his legal rights to follow God’s will and act for the benefit of others. The word “until” in verse 25 does not mean that Mary was not a perpetual virgin. (Two other examples of “until” in scripture.) The Magi were non-Jews; Jesus came for all of us! No Magi in Luke, no shepherds in Matthew; just different emphases. Luke emphasizes women, poor. Matthew emphasizes fulfillment of OT prophecy.

Overview of Matthew: Jesus’ Genealogy; Why the difference between Matthew’s and Luke’s account, and why should we care? Key Points: The Gospel of Matthew  written between 50-90AD by a convert to Christianity from Judaism. Matthew’s emphasis- to show that Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah, the ultimate King of the Jews, and to the world.  Jewish prophesy fulfillment.  Jesus is a 2nd, better Moses, and a 2nd, better David. Though from a royal dynasty, Jesus had many deeply sinful people in his ancestry-just like us! Differences in Matthew’s, Luke’s genealogy of Jesus:  Matthew’s gospel records only back as far as Abraham, the founder of the Jews.  Luke, a GENTILE, goes back further,  to Adam, who predated Judaism, to emphasize Jesus came for ALL people. The difference between the 2 genealogies from David to Jesus may be because Mary’s genealogy was used for that time frame.

Key Points: Best English translation:  Revised Standard Version- 2nd Catholic Edition. Second best translation: New American Bible (Personal Study Edition) Study tips: 1Write notes IN MARGINS, or on sticky notes you can attach to the bible pages. 2) Use different colors of CRAYONS to highlight key verses. 3) Buy a CATECHISM of the Catholic Church, refer to bible passage index in back of it. 4) Read the bible through the eyes of the Church. (See #4 above)