Daily Gospel Exegesis

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 4: 1-11 - 'The temptation in the wilderness.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 394 (in 'The Fall of the Angels') - Scripture witnesses to the disastrous influence of the one Jesus calls "a murderer from the beginning", who would even try to divert Jesus from the mission received from his Father (abbreviated) - 2849 (in 'The Seven Petitions') - Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his Agony (abbreviated) - 2835 (in 'Give us this day our daily bread') - his petition, with the responsibility it involves, also applies to another hunger from which men are perishing: "Man does not live by bread alone, but . . . by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," that is, by the Word he speaks and the Spirit he breathes forth (abbreviated) - 2083 (in 'The First Commandment') - It is written: "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve." (abbreviated) - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God "brings the firstborn into the world, he says: 'Let all God's angels worship him.'" Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church's praise: "Glory to God in the highest!" They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated) Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 5: 38-48 - 'Love your enemies.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 2443 (in 'Love for the Poor ') - God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor and rebukes those who turn away from them: "Give to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would borrow from you" (abbreviated) - 1933 (in 'Social Justice') - This same duty extends to those who think or act differently from us. the teaching of Christ goes so far as to require the forgiveness of offenses. He extends the commandment of love, which is that of the New Law, to all enemies. Liberation in the spirit of the Gospel is incompatible with hatred of one's enemy as a person, but not with hatred of the evil that he does as an enemy. - 2842 (in 'The Seven Petitions') - You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect"; "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful"...It is impossible to keep the Lord's commandment by imitating the divine model from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make "ours" the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (abbreviated) - 2608 (in 'Jesus teaches us how to pray') - From the Sermon on the Mount onwards, Jesus insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation with one's brother before presenting an offering on the altar, love of enemies, and prayer for persecutors, prayer to the Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else. This filial conversion is entirely directed to the Father. - 1825 (in 'Hope') - Christ died out of love for us, while we were still "enemies." The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself. - 1968 (in 'The New Law') - The Law of the Gospel fulfills the commandments of the Law. the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law, releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them: it reveals their entire divine and human truth. It does not add new external precepts, but proceeds to reform the heart, the root of human acts, where man chooses between the pure and the impure,where faith, hope, and charity are formed and with them the other virtues. the Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father, through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors, in emulation of the divine generosity. - 2262 (in 'Respect for Human Life') - In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord recalls the commandment, "You shall not kill,"and adds to it the proscription of anger, hatred, and vengeance. Going further, Christ asks his disciples to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies (abbreviated) - 1693 (in 'Life in Christ') - Christ Jesus always did what was pleasing to the Father,5 and always lived in perfect communion with him. Likewise Christ's disciples are invited to live in the sight of the Father "who sees in secret," in order to become "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." - 2013 (in 'Christian Holiness') Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 7: 17-37 - 'You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors, but I say this to you.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 577 (in 'Jesus and the Law') - At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus issued a solemn warning in which he presented God’s law, given on Sinai during the first covenant, in light of the grace of the New Covenant: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets: I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law, until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." - 592 (in 'Jesus and Israel's Faith') - Jesus did not abolish the Law of Sinai, but rather fulfilled it (cf. Mt5:17-19) with such perfection (cf. Jn8:46) that he revealed its ultimate meaning (cf.Mt5:33) and redeemed the transgressions against it (cf. Heb 9:15). - 1967 (in 'The Law of the Gospel') - The Law of the Gospel “fulfills,” refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection. In the Beatitudes, the New Law fulfills the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the “kingdom of heaven.” It is addressed to those open to accepting this new hope with faith—the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart, those persecuted on account of Christ— and so marks out the surprising ways of the Kingdom. - 2054 (in 'Teacher, what must I do...') - Jesus acknowledged the Ten Commandments, but he also showed the power of the Spirit at work in their letter. He preached a “righteousness [which] exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees” as well as that of the Gentiles. He unfolded all the demands of the Commandments. “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill.’ . . . But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.” - 2262 (in 'Respect for Human Life') - In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord recalls the commandment, “You shall not kill,” and adds to it the proscription of anger, hatred, and vengeance. Going further, Christ asks his disciples to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies (abbreviated). Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 5: 13-16 - 'You must shine in the sight of men.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 782 (In 'Characteristics of the people of God') - Its mission is to be salt of the earth and light of the world. This people is “a most sure seed of unity, hope, and salvation for the whole human race" (abbreviated) - 2820-2821 (in 'Thy Kingdom Come') - By a discernment according to the Spirit, Christians have to distinguish between the growth of the Reign of God and the progress of the culture and society in which they are involved. This distinction is not a separation. Man’s vocation to eternal life does not suppress, but actually reinforces, his duty to put into action in this world the energies and means received from the Creator to serve justice and peace. This petition is taken up and granted in the prayer of Jesus which is present and effective in the Eucharist; it bears its fruit in new life in keeping with the Beatitudes. - 1243 (in 'The Mystagogy of Baptism') - The candle, lit from the Easter candle, signifies that Christ has enlightened the neophyte. In him the baptized are “the light of the world" (abbreviated) - 326 (in 'Heaven and Earth') - “heaven” refers to the saints and the “place” of the spiritual creatures, the angels, who surround God (abbreviated) Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 5: 1-12 - 'How happy are the poor in spirit.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 1716-1717 ('The Beatitudes') - The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They take up the promises made to the chosen people since Abraham. the Beatitudes fulfill the promises by ordering them no longer merely to the possession of a territory, but to the Kingdom of heaven....The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints. - 581 (in 'Jesus and the Law') - In Jesus, the same Word of God that had resounded on Mount Sinai to give the written Law to Moses, made itself heard anew on the Mount of the Beatitudes (abbreviated). - 544 (in 'The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God') - The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to "preach good news to the poor"; he declares them blessed, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." To them - the "little ones" the Father is pleased to reveal what remains hidden from the wise and the learned (abbreviated). - 2546 (in 'Poverty of Heart') - "Blessed are the poor in spirit." The Beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace, of beauty and peace. Jesus celebrates the joy of the poor, to whom the Kingdom already belongs: The Word speaks of voluntary humility as "poverty in spirit"; the Apostle gives an example of God's poverty when he says: "For your sakes he became poor." - 1720 (in 'Christian Beatitude') - The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the beatitude to which God calls man: the vision of God: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"...There we shall rest and see, we shall see and love, we shall love and praise. Behold what will be at the end without end. For what other end do we have, if not to reach the kingdom which has no end? (abbreviated). - 2518 (in 'Purification of the Heart') - The sixth beatitude proclaims, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." "Pure in heart" refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God's holiness, chiefly in three areas: charity; chastity or sexual rectitude; love of truth and orthodoxy of faith. There is a connection between purity of heart, of body, and of faith: The faithful must believe the articles of the Creed "so that by believing they may obey God, by obeying may live well, by living well may purify their hearts, and with pure hearts may understand what they believe. - 2330 (in 'The Fifth Commandment') - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" - 520 (in 'Our Communion in the mysteries of Jesus') - In all of his life Jesus presents himself as our model. He is "the perfect man", who invites us to become his disciples and follow him. In humbling himself, he has given us an example to imitate, through his prayer he draws us to pray, and by his poverty he calls us to accept freely the privation and persecutions that may come our way. Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 4: 12-23 - 'He went and settled in Capernaum: in this way the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 1720 (in 'Christian Beatitude') - The New Testament uses several expressions to characterize the beatitude to which God calls man: — the coming of the Kingdom of God; — the vision of God: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”; — entering into the joy of the Lord; — entering into God’s rest: - 1989 (in 'Justification') - The first work of the grace of the Holy Spirit is conversion, effecting justification in accordance with Jesus’ proclamation at the beginning of the Gospel: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin, thus accepting forgiveness and righteousness from on high. “Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man.. - 878 (In 'The Hierarchy of the Church') - Finally, it belongs to the sacramental nature of ecclesial ministry that it have a personal character. Although Christ’s ministers act in communion with one another, they also always act in a personal way. Each one is called personally: “You, follow me” in order to be a personal witness within the common mission, to bear personal responsibility before him who gives the mission, acting “in his person” and for other persons: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .”; “I absolve you. . . .” Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy John 1: 29-34 - 'Look: there is the lamb of God.'     Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 408 (in 'A Hard Battle') - The consequences of original sin and of all men’s personal sins put the world as a whole in the sinful condition aptly described in St. John’s expression, “the sin of the world" (abbreviated) - 438 (in 'Christ') - His eternal messianic consecration was revealed during the time of his earthly life at the moment of his baptism by John, when “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power,” “that he might be revealed to Israel" (abbreviated) - 486 (in 'Who Was Conceived by the Holy Spirit') - The Father’s only Son, conceived as man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, is “Christ,” that is to say, anointed by the Holy Spirit, from the beginning of his human existence, though the manifestation of this fact takes place only progressively: to the shepherds, to the magi, to John the Baptist, to the disciples - 523 (in 'The Preparations') - He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother’s womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being “the friend of the bridegroom,” whom he points out as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (abbreviated) - 536 (in 'The Baptism of Jesus') - The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Already he is anticipating the “baptism” of his bloody death. Already he is coming to “fulfill all righteousness,” that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father’s will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father’s voice responds to the Son’s acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to “rest on him.” Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism “the heavens were opened”—the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed—and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation. - 608 (in 'The Lamb who takes away the sin of the world') - After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover. Christ’s whole life expresses his mission: “to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - 613 (in 'Christ's death is the unique and definitive sacrifice') - Christ’s death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men, through “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (abbreviated) - 719 (in 'John, Precursor, Prophet & Baptist') - In John’s sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels. “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. . . . Behold, the Lamb of God" (abbreviated) - 1137 (in 'The celebrants of the Heavenly liturgy') Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 3: 13-17 - 'This is my Son, the Beloved.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 535-536 (in 'The Baptism of Jesus') - Jesus’ public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. John preaches “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” A crowd of sinners—tax collectors and soldiers, Pharisees and Sadducees, and prostitutes—come to be baptized by him. “Then Jesus appears.” The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, “This is my beloved Son.” This is the manifestation (“Epiphany”) of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God. The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God’s suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Already he is anticipating the “baptism” of his bloody death. Already he is coming to “fulfill all righteousness,” that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father’s will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father’s voice responds to the Son’s acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son. The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to “rest on him.” Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism “the heavens were opened”—the heavens that Adam’s sin had closed—and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation. - 1286 (in 'Confirmation in the Economy of Salvation') - In the Old Testament the prophets announced that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the hoped-for Messiah for his saving mission. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his baptism by John was the sign that this was he who was to come, the Messiah, the Son of God. - 1223-1224 (in 'Christ's Baptism') - All the Old Covenant prefigurations find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. He begins his public life after having himself baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan...Our Lord voluntarily submitted himself to the baptism of St. John, intended for sinners, in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus’ gesture is a manifestation of his self-emptying. The Spirit who had hovered over the waters of the first creation descended then on the Christ as a prelude of the new creation, and the Father revealed Jesus as his “beloved Son.” - 701 (in 'Symbols of the Holy Spirit') - When Christ comes up from the water of his baptism, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down upon him and remains with him (abbreviated) - 444 (in 'The Only Son of God') - The Gospels report that at two solemn moments, the Baptism and the Transfiguration of Christ, the voice of the Father designates Jesus his “beloved Son.” Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!

In this bonus episode, Charbel Raish (Director of Parousia ministry) speaks about Catholic ministries in Australia, what is happening in the media space, and how we can get involved. 'Parousia Podcast' Episode about Daily Gospel Exegesis: https://parousia.podbean.com/ Parousia: https://www.parousiamedia.com/ POPULAR AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Fr. Rob Galea's Ministry: https://frgministry.com/ Real Talk: https://www.realtalkaustralia.com/ Youth Mission Team: https://www.ymt.com.au/ TASMANIA CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Sam Clear: http://www.walk4one.com/sam-clear VICTORIA CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Theology in the Pub Melbourne: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ God & Beer: https://www.facebook.com/GodandBeer/ Radio Maria: https://www.radiomaria.org.au/ Fr. Rob Galea's Ministry: https://frgministry.com/ NEW SOUTH WALES CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Parousia: https://www.parousiamedia.com/ Theology on Tap Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/Theology-on-Tap-127369587336998/ Marriage Resource Centre: https://marriageresourcecentre.org/ FireUp Ministries: https://fireupministries.com/ Augustine Academy: https://augustineacademy.com.au/ The Maker's Table: https://www.facebook.com/makerstable/ Family Life International: https://www.fli.org.au/ CANBERRA CATHOLIC MINISTRIES CG Youth: https://www.facebook.com/youth.cg/ QUEENSLAND CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Brisbane Oratory in Formation: https://www.facebook.com/brisbaneoratory/ Real Talk: https://www.realtalkaustralia.com/ Evangelisation Office Brisbane: https://evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/# Faith on Tap Brisbane: https://www.facebook.com/FaithOnTap/ WESTERN AUSTRALIA CATHOLIC MINISTRIES Evangelisation Australia: https://www.evangelisationaustralia.com/ Disciples of Jesus: https://www.disciplesofjesus.org/ The Record Newspaper: https://therecord.com.au/ AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC RADIO STATIONS Voice of Charity Radio (1701 AM): www.voc.org.au Radio Maria (DAB Radio): https://www.radiomaria.org.au/ EWTN Asia Pacific: https://www.ewtn.com/radio/listen-live/philippines CRadio (Archived): https://cradio.org.au/ AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC TV CHANNELS Mass for You at Home (Channel 10): https://massforyou.com.au/ Bruce Downes Catholic Ministry (The Catholic Guy): https://brucedownes.org/ Roman Sky: https://romansky.tv/ Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org/ EWTN Australia: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/extra-watch-live Telepace: https://www.telepace.it/diretta/ LIST OF AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC PODCASTS https://nce.catholic.org.au/podcasts/uncategorised/podcasts

To support the ministry and get access to exclusive content, go to: http://patreon.com/logicalbiblestudy Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23 - 'The flight into Egypt and the return to Nazareth.' Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraphs: - 530 (in 'The Mysteries of Jesus' Infancy') - The flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents make manifest the opposition of darkness to the light: “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not.” Christ’s whole life was lived under the sign of persecution. His own share it with him. Jesus’ departure from Egypt recalls the exodus and presents him as the definitive liberator of God’s people. - 333 (in 'Christ with all his angels') - From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. When God “brings the firstborn into the world, he says: ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not ceased resounding in the Church’s praise: “Glory to God in the highest!” They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, strengthen him in his agony in the garden, when he could have been saved by them from the hands of his enemies as Israel had been (abbreviated). Got a Bible question? Send an email to logicalbiblestudy@gmail.com, and it will be answered in an upcoming episode!