Let's talk about today's readings 1/3/09

[cheeto1]

:bible1: 1John 2:29-3:6
Psalms 98:1,3-6
John 1:29-34

The first reading states that we must all try to be as pure as
Christ. I’d like to know if there is anyone reading this who is
trying to be as pure as Christ. If so, how are you doing it?
Then it goes on to say that anyone who sins has never seen Him or known Him. Based on several other verses, this just can’t be
true. Then what is really meant by it? Just curious…

The psalm says that all then ends of the earth have seen the
saving power of God. They have not. Then what is meant by
it? The awesome forces of nature? That does not bring salvation.

In the gospel, John the Baptist says, “He who sent me to baptise with water had said to me…”
I wonder what this experience was like. Was it the angel Gabriel again, or the voice of God Himself? Did it come to him in the desert or at home with Zechariah and Elizabeth? Did it also tell him to live in the desert, wear animal skins, and eat locusts and honey? Did he make the animal skins himself by killing animals? Did God show him the locusts and the honey and keep him from being stung? And it said he would see the Spirit come down and rest on the Messiah, it said nothing about a dove. Did it look just like a real live dove to John the Baptist or did it just slightly resemble a dove in shape but look maybe something like a light?
Did he have sandals? If so did he make them himself or bring them from home? How did he get all the advice he gave to the
people about what they must do to be saved? Was it an angel,
voice of God, or his own knowledge based on everything he had already seen and heard? In case you haven’t noticed, I am quite fascinated by John the Baptist.

Did anything strike you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[LMP]

:bible1: 1John 2:29-3:6

Psalms 98:1,3-6
John 1:29-34

The first reading states that we must all try to be as pure as
Christ. I’d like to know if there is anyone reading this who is
trying to be as pure as Christ. If so, how are you doing it?
Then it goes on to say that anyone who sins has never seen Him or known Him. Based on several other verses, this just can’t be
true. Then what is really meant by it? Just curious…

The psalm says that all then ends of the earth have seen the
saving power of God. They have not. Then what is meant by
it? The awesome forces of nature? That does not bring salvation.

In the gospel, John the Baptist says, “He who sent me to baptise with water had said to me…”
I wonder what this experience was like. Was it the angel Gabriel again, or the voice of God Himself? Did it come to him in the desert or at home with Zechariah and Elizabeth? Did it also tell him to live in the desert, wear animal skins, and eat locusts and honey? Did he make the animal skins himself by killing animals? Did God show him the locusts and the honey and keep him from being stung? And it said he would see the Spirit come down and rest on the Messiah, it said nothing about a dove. Did it look just like a real live dove to John the Baptist or did it just slightly resemble a dove in shape but look maybe something like a light?
Did he have sandals? If so did he make them himself or bring them from home? How did he get all the advice he gave to the
people about what they must do to be saved? Was it an angel,
voice of God, or his own knowledge based on everything he had already seen and heard? In case you haven’t noticed, I am quite fascinated by John the Baptist.

Did anything strike you about today’s readings?:bible1:

Tonight at mass, I dipped my hand in the holy water offered kindly at the doorway of the church. I remembered my baptism where I was washed of my sin. I prayed, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but say the word and I will be healed .”

I can’t be as pure. It is totally impossible. Hey, some people way off in Washington, DC have used my tax dollars to commit sin and I can’t do one stinking thing about it. I still pay my taxes, though. I vote the best I can for the best of the worst. I write emails and letters screaming at the representatives to listen to God’s reason. It falls on deaf ears. If I didn’t try, though, why exist, then? What would I do with all of my time?
Sin or try to avoid sin? Take your pick.

 

[cheeto1]

Tonight at mass…
…Sin or try to avoid sin? Take your pick.

I went to Saturday mass too. For some reason, I kept thinking
about basil? I still don’t know what that’s about…

…you know which one I pick. We are all trying our best, but
once there was a long thread here all about that line. The man
who started it insisted that he was without sin, and further, that
if he ever did sin, he would lose his salvation. Lots of people
weren’t that nice to him, but I think he was finally convinced in
spite of it.

I hate to change the subject into “so what did your priest say
at mass”, but I just want to share that our priest said that there
are times that each of us feels we are in darkness. Like the
wise men looked for the light of the star, we must look to each
other to find light. He said always talk to others about whatever
is bothering you, and others will give you light. And he said
even if no one does, Jesus will always be with you, giving you
light. That’s a pretty good one huh?

 

[Light_Seeker]

The first reading states that we must all try to be as pure as Christ.

What bible translation are you using? Just wondering - I don’t see this at all in the readings. Can you provide the verse(s) that you concluded this… Thanks!

cheeto1:

The psalm says that all then ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God. They have not. Then what is meant by it?

See Isa 52:10. Psalm 98 is a prophetic psalm concerning the kingdom of the Messiah & bringing the Gentiles into it.

ISA 52:10 The Lord hath prepared his holy arm in the sight of all the Gentiles: and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

cheeto1:

In case you haven’t noticed, I am quite fascinated by John the Baptist.

As am I … unfortunately too little is known of him, we can only surmise. I wondered if Elizabeth & Zechariah died while he was a young lad … causing him to go live off the land as a homeless hermit.

 

[Light_Seeker]

Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me: He upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him, he it is that baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Wasn’t it Christ that introduced his apostles to the Holy Spirit, later, in John 14:16? But John the Baptist references the Holy Spirit at Jesus baptism??

 

[cheeto1]

What bible translation are you using? Just wondering - I don’t see this at all in the readings. Can you provide the verse(s) that you concluded this… Thanks!

The verse would be 1John 3:3. In my New American Bible,
it says, Everyone who has this hope based on Him, keeps
himself pure, as He is pure. The other wording that struck
me today is from my daily roman missal, copyright 1998. Do
you think it’s too old? Do you think the meaning is different?

 

[cheeto1]

I wondered if Elizabeth & Zechariah died while he was a young lad … causing him to go live off the land as a homeless hermit.

Hmm… but then who got the house?

 

[Light_Seeker]

Probably the first born of Liz & Zech … which definitely wouldn’t have been John , he was the last.

 

[Light_Seeker]

The verse would be 1John 3:3. In my New American Bible,
it says, Everyone who has this hope based on Him, keeps
himself pure, as He is pure.

My RSV-CE says "purify himself, as he is pure.
My Douay says “sanctifieth himself, as he is holy”.

I think the NAB kind of butchers it in my humble opinion.

To purify myself, or to sanctifieth myself, recognizes that it’s a progression I’m leading up to. I’m working, I’m preparing. The NAB translation seems to miss this.

So by going by NAB alone, I agree with you - “we must all be as pure as Christ.” But RSV & Douay don’t say this - they say purify or sanctify … in other words, prepare yourself.

 

[Light_Seeker]

The other wording that struck
me today is from my daily roman missal, copyright 1998. Do
you think it’s too old? Do you think the meaning is different?

Too old? Nope, too recent.

The best scriptural commentaries I’ve read, on a daily basis, are 1700 years old (Augustine), or 800 years old (Aquinas).

 

[LMP]

…you know which one I pick. We are all trying our best, but
once there was a long thread here all about that line. The man
who started it insisted that he was without sin, and further, that
if he ever did sin, he would lose his salvation. Lots of people
weren’t that nice to him, but I think he was finally convinced in
spite of it.

There’s a song…“Lord, it’s hard to be humble”

The world needs more of humble.

 

[LMP]

I went to Saturday mass too. For some reason, I kept thinking

about basil? I still don’t know what that’s about…

Nor do I, that’s why I’m looking into it more.

Basil is a spice. There are many varieties of it. It is in the mint family and grows just about in every climate. It has been around a long time and was around back in Jesus’ day. But, the Arabic language doesn’t call it basil…the word etymology yadda yadda yadda makes the word basil = myrtle.

Now, I recognized myrtle right away because if you read in the Bible you’ll see reference to myrtle all over the place. You don’t see basil, at least I don’t remember it being in the Bible.

On that site of Augustine, he’s talking about the Trinity…Saint Basil was big on the Trinity as well. Augustine is using myrtle as an example to explain things.
Then you have the trio of guys.
The big number here is THREE.
Now this is RIGHT before January 3rd! How unreal is that?

Things TOUCH each other ALL the TIME. People don’t see this, they are so busy. Your minister was correct…you’ve got a problem, tell someone about it…touch them …and your darkness will evaporate!