February 7: Reflections on The Scripture Readings For Sunday Mass

[Fidelis]

Ah, thank you for this help! So the fish story comes twice, once at the beginning in Luke, and once in the end in John. What do you think? Do you think it happened both times? I would say, yes.

I would say yes too. Just because the different Gospel writers place these similar sounding events at different places in their Gospels, doesn’t HAVE to mean it was the same event.

I feel the same way about the story of Jesus clearing the temple; I believe it happened twice: once at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and once at the end. I think the first time he did it, the authorities were too shocked to do anything other than protest. During Passion week, the second time, they were ready to move against him.

The fish incident at the end was like the “road to Emmaus”. They recognized Him in the large catch, like they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.

that’s a good insight.

 

[Fidelis]

"He was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret: Also called the Sea of Galilee in Matthew and Mark, and the Sea of Tiberias in John. This was because its waters touched all of those regions surrounding it."
– Thank you for this interesting information! Were there any other names for it that you know of?

In the Old Testament, it was called the Lake of Kinnereth (or Chinnereth) because of it’s shape (the word means 'small harp").

 

[Fidelis]

“What do you think their thoughts were at this time after catching no fish?”
– Let’s just say, this would have been the wrong time to tell them to pay out the nets. They were cold, and exhausted. As a man on the radio talking about this said, “O.K., I’m a fisherman, you’re a carpenter. You want me to do what?” I think he only listened because he heard Him teach first.

I agree. I would throw in “slightly peevish” too, since in addition to being tired, I had nothing to show for it and, in Peter’s case, was facing the prospect going home and face his wife (and mother-in-law!) with empty pockets that day.

 

[Fidelis]

Thank you for all your hard work, you really made us think.

You are very welcome. To God be the glory :tiphat:

But now, what did You notice about today’s readings?

Very interesting, as always! Maybe you can start a new thread on this?

 

[Digitonomy]

I’m curious what was meant in 1 Cor 15:8, where Paul says “Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” It’s pretty obvious from the context what Paul’s larger point is, but I’m not certain of the meaning of “as to one born abnormally,” which is not a common idiom in modern English.

 

[Robintrinket]

Adventure or Cautious Mediocrity?, by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Ph.D.

I especially like this one!

Thanks for sharing this reflection. I love Lord of the Rings! Frodo saying, “I will take the ring, though I do not know the way”, is like the prophets and apostles accepting and going out on their missions. When I hear the hymn, “Be Not Afraid” which was about sending the apostles out, it always kind of reminds me of Lord of the Rings, especially the line “You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way.”

 

[Fidelis]

I’m curious what was meant in 1 Cor 15:8, where Paul says “Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me.” It’s pretty obvious from the context what Paul’s larger point is, but I’m not certain of the meaning of “as to one born abnormally,” which is not a common idiom in modern English.

According to The Jerome Bible Commentary, the phrase literally means “an aborted fetus.” The Greek word ektroma has a secondary meaning, “an object of horror and disgust.” It is similar to the English expression, “monster.” This is probably the sense in which St. Paul, recalling his persecution of the Church, uses the term in the sense of “the monster of the apostolic family.”

 

[Fidelis]

Thanks for sharing this reflection. I love Lord of the Rings! Frodo saying, “I will take the ring, though I do not know the way”, is like the prophets and apostles accepting and going out on their missions. When I hear the hymn, “Be Not Afraid” which was about sending the apostles out, it always kind of reminds me of Lord of the Rings, especially the line “You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way.”

I LOVE “Lord of the Rings”! In so many ways, it is an allegory of Christ, Christianity, and the Christian life. I use analogies from the stories often when I teach.

 

[Digitonomy]

According to The Jerome Bible Commentary, the phrase literally means “an aborted fetus.” The Greek word ektroma has a secondary meaning, “an object of horror and disgust.” It is similar to the English expression, “monster.” This is probably the sense in which St. Paul, recalling his persecution of the Church, uses the term in the sense of “the monster of the apostolic family.”

Wow. A little stronger than the English we see.

 

[Fidelis]

Wow. A little stronger than the English we see.

St. Paul was not one to mince words.

Galatians 3:1 --You *stupid *Galatians! Who has put you under a spell?

Galatians 5:6-12 – For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well; who hindered you from following (the) truth? That enticement does not come from the one who called you. A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. I am confident of you in the Lord that you will not take a different view, and that the one who is troubling you will bear the condemnation, whoever he may be…Would that those who are upsetting you might also castrate themselves!

If St. Paul were around today, I’m sure he’d be packed off to “sensitivity training” pronto!

 

[cheeto1]

I honestly never looked at the reading from this angle (more so from the blasphemy and lying aspect), but you are so right.

And I didn’t think of it from the lying and blasphemy aspect, thanks!
And thank you for your public support of “clean lips”

 

[cheeto1]

The commentaries I have seen speculate that “the Twelve” does include Matthias, since he was picked to replace Judas…The number 12 was important to maintain at
the time of Pentecost…

…we automatically think of The Twelve, Scripture scholars tell us that there were probably many more than just these–perhaps as many as 70…

O.K. - I can accept all this through faith in the church, but I still don’t think that when
Paul was referring to himself as an apostle, he just meant “one of 70 or more”.
To me, Matthias, seems to fit that description better.

Thank you for all the helpful information, and I accept what you have said…

 

[cheeto1]

I feel the same way about the story of Jesus clearing the temple; I believe it happened twice: once at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, and once at the end.

That’s another one I didn’t think of.
And Jesus already came right out and said that He fed the people miraculously twice.

 

[cheeto1]

In the Old Testament, it was called the Lake of Kinnereth (or Chinnereth) because of it’s shape (the word means 'small harp").

Wow, that’s 5 names for the same lake! And I thought it was a lot that some of
the apostles had 2 names…

 

[YeshuaisYHWH]

The catholic church changed the sabbath: The Catholic Mirror of September 23, 1894, puts it this way: “The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday.”

Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 153. “The church after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath or seventh-day of the week to the first, made the third commandment refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord’s day.”

“If Protestants would follow the Bible, they would worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.” Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920.

Catholic Press newspaper in Sidney, Australia. “Sunday is a Catholic institution and its claims to observance can be defended only on Catholic principles. From the beginning to end of Scripture there is not a single passage that warrants the transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the week to the first.”

The Scripture NEVER gives authority to do this.