So let's talk about today's readings 1/19/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/readings/011909.shtml

1. He learned obedience from what He suffered. Wasn’t He
   born with obedience, being without sin?
2. Gospel: On that day they will fast.
   Do you think the apostles fasted on Good Friday? Probably
   they would be too upset to eat. I wonder if they fasted more
   than one day? Did the fasting last till He rose from the dead?
   After He ascended, did they have a regular practice of fasting,
   like in the church today, or did they consider the bridegroom
   to be “with them” when they received the Holy Spirit?

So what struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[Dolphincrc]

“The Didache”, an anonymous first century Christian writing, already mentions that Wednesday and Fridays are days of fasting.

Paul, among the long list of hardships he has endured are “frequent fastings” (2 Cor 11:27)

Jesus said “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” (Mk 2:19-20). This refers to the time between his Ascension and his Second Coming.

The evidence for fasting by the Church is overwhelming. Many of the early Church Fathers mentions it, and many wrote specifically on this subject (i.e. Tertullian’s “On Fasting”).

 

[Light_Seeker]

He learned obedience from what He suffered. Wasn’t He born with obedience, being without sin?

Sure was. But think of the word learned in this verse as experienced. He knew obedience, He practiced obedience to the Father. But the Passion was the ultimate obedience.

So what struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

First reading justifies the Catholic Mass and a Catholic Priest !!!

Heb 5:1-4 describes what a priest should be. A humble man called by God. A sinner offering sacrifices and gifts for the sins of himself, & the sins of his flock.

Melchizedek is mentioned twice in this reading (& many more times in upcoming readings in Hebrews). He’s the High Priest in Genesis 14:18, offering bread and wine. A forerunner of Jesus.

And what is our Mass? A sacrificial offering. By a humble Priest, serving his flock, as described in this reading. Offering bread and wine, the body and blood, the gifts. The Catholic Mass!