"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)
The "pure in heart" are those people who act with integrity and serve the Lord unselfishly. A pure heart is undefiled by evil and lustful thoughts and finds its true treasure in heaven. In eternity, the pure in heart will see God as the angels do even now (Matthew 18:10; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:4). Catholic theology calls this the Beatific Vision (CCC 2517-19 and also Pope Benedict XII's NENEDICTUS DEUS - see Appendices below with my emphasis).
I am trying to understand what this "Blessedness" (or "Happiness") is because it is my reason for wanting to remain "pure in heart" in everything I do. I know that money, sensual satisfaction, power etc buy some kind of happiness, at least briefly, but they are at best distractions, or at worst, eternal damnation. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever." (1 John 2:15-17). It seems to me that the happiness of "seeing God" has a lot to do with how much I know Him. It is at least as much an intellectual response as an emotional response of gratitude. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Cor 13:12). Peter Kreeft in his book "Practical Theology" (based on Saint Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae) chapter 65: Happiness is the "Beatific Vision" explained:
(1) "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3) Therefore man's happiness consists in the knowledge of God, which is an act of the intellect. The delight that results from happiness pertains to the will. In this sense Augustine says that happiness is joy in truth.
(2) "Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." (1 John 3:2) Final and perfect happiness can consist in nothing else than the vision of the divine essence.
(3) Love (desire) is the only vehicle that can get us there, and love (joy) is the song we will sing forever when we get there, but the glue that actually sticks us to God is knowing, seeing Him face to face. It's personal knowledge, of course, not theory; acquaintance, not description; experience, not expertise; God, not theology. But it's knowledge: the kind of knowledge Adam had of Eve (Gen 4:1).
(4) Ultimate knowing is the highest kind of loving and ultimate loving is the highest kind of knowing!
So practically, I pray that the Holy Spirit will teach me how to live a life of "purity of heart". I anticipate that I will know God more and more in this act of obedience. So when I see Him face to face, He won't be a stranger to me and I shall be perfectly happy!
Appendices:
Catechism of the Catholic Church
"2517
The heart is the seat of moral personality: "Out of the heart come evil
thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication...." The struggle against carnal
covetousness entails purifying the heart and practicing temperance:
Remain simple and innocent, and you will be like little children who do
not know the evil that destroys man's life.
2518 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."
2519 The "pure in heart" are promised that they will see God face to face and be like him. Purity of heart is the precondition of the vision of God. Even now it
enables us to see according to God, to accept others as "neighbors"; it
lets us perceive the human body - ours and our neighbor's - as a temple
of the Holy Spirit, a manifestation of divine beauty."
Pope Benedict XII issued in 1336 the Apostolic Constitution called BENEDICTUS DEUS (On the Beatific Vision of God):
By
this Constitution which is to remain in force for ever, we, with
apostolic authority, define the following: According to the general
disposition of God, the souls of all the saints who departed from this world before the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and also of the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins and other faithful
who died after receiving the holy baptism of Christ—provided they were
not in need of any purification when they died, or will not be in need
of any when they die in the future, or else, if they then needed or will
need some purification, after they have been purified after death—and
again the souls of children who have been reborn by the same baptism of
Christ or will be when baptism is conferred on them, if they die before
attaining the use of free will: all these souls, immediately (mox)
after death and, in the case of those in need of purification, after the
purification mentioned above, since the ascension of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ into heaven, already before they take up their
bodies again and before the general judgment, have been, are and will be
with Christ in heaven, in the heavenly kingdom and paradise, joined to the company of the holy angels.
Since the passion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have
seen and see the divine essence with an intuitive vision and even face
to face, without the mediation of any creature by way of object of
vision; rather the divine essence immediately manifests itself to them, plainly, clearly and openly,
and in this vision they enjoy the divine essence. Moreover, by this
vision and enjoyment the souls of those who have already died are truly
blessed and have eternal life and rest. Also the souls of those who will
die in the future will see the same divine essence and will enjoy it before the general judgment.
Such
a vision and enjoyment of the divine essence do away with the acts of
faith and hope in these souls, inasmuch as faith and hope are properly
theological virtues. And after such intuitive and face-to-face vision
and enjoyment has or will have begun for these souls, the same vision
and enjoyment has continued and will continue without any interruption
and without end until the last Judgment and from then on forever.
(On hell and the general judgment)
Moreover we define that according to the general disposition of God, the souls of those who die in actual mortal sin go down into hell immediately (mox) after death and there suffer the pain of hell. Nevertheless, on the day of judgment all men will appear with their bodies "before the judgment seat of Christ"
to give an account of their personal deeds, "so that each one may
receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body" (2 Cor. 5.10).
(Taken
from "The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic
Church", published by Alba House.) Provided Courtesy of: www.ewtn.com
Friday, 10 March 2017
Friday, 3 March 2017
Beatitudes and Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I can't believe it has been a whole month since my last blog! I can't even blame it on my 2 Fridays being away on vacation. I have realized that this change from simply reading the whole bible every year to studying in detail from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is a much slower process than anticipated. I honestly think that I shouldn't try to study en entire book in the New Testament every 2 weeks as was planned. I will take my time to savor through this amazing resource and ask God to bless me with new insight every day - not only to feed my mind, but also my soul.
So I am now in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew. The Beatitudes (verses 3-12) are familiar verses. The Study Bible asks the question:
Reflect on and discuss how the first seven beatitudes might correspond to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
So here are the first seven beatitudes:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I found out I can easily find pretty much anything in the Catechism by googling CCC, e.g. "CCC gifts of the holy spirit" and look for it in the Vatican.va site; which in this case leads me to CCC 1830-1845) the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
1845 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
So how do the Gifts of the Holy Spirit enable me to be poor in spirit?
It is that I will recognize my need for God and His grace. I become less attached to this world and find security in the Lord. I will rely on His mercy rather than my own merits or material wealth. And I will develop a longing for the future inheritance of God's Kingdom at the final judgement (Matthew 25:34). Only the gifts of the Holy Spirit will enable me to do this! CCC 2544-47 further explains this:
2544 Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them "renounce all that [they have]" for his sake and that of the Gospel. Shortly before his passion he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on. The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven.
2545 All Christ's faithful are to "direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity by the use of worldly things and by an adherence to riches which is contrary to the spirit of evangelical poverty."
2546 "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."
2547 The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God.
So I am now in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew. The Beatitudes (verses 3-12) are familiar verses. The Study Bible asks the question:
Reflect on and discuss how the first seven beatitudes might correspond to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2)
So here are the first seven beatitudes:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (I found out I can easily find pretty much anything in the Catechism by googling CCC, e.g. "CCC gifts of the holy spirit" and look for it in the Vatican.va site; which in this case leads me to CCC 1830-1845) the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
1845 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon Christians are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
So how do the Gifts of the Holy Spirit enable me to be poor in spirit?
It is that I will recognize my need for God and His grace. I become less attached to this world and find security in the Lord. I will rely on His mercy rather than my own merits or material wealth. And I will develop a longing for the future inheritance of God's Kingdom at the final judgement (Matthew 25:34). Only the gifts of the Holy Spirit will enable me to do this! CCC 2544-47 further explains this:
2544 Jesus enjoins his disciples to prefer him to everything and everyone, and bids them "renounce all that [they have]" for his sake and that of the Gospel. Shortly before his passion he gave them the example of the poor widow of Jerusalem who, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on. The precept of detachment from riches is obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of heaven.
2545 All Christ's faithful are to "direct their affections rightly, lest they be hindered in their pursuit of perfect charity by the use of worldly things and by an adherence to riches which is contrary to the spirit of evangelical poverty."
2546 "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."
2547 The Lord grieves over the rich, because they find their consolation in the abundance of goods. "Let the proud seek and love earthly kingdoms, but blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor. They shall see God.
Saturday, 4 February 2017
The Whole Armor of God
As I wrapped up my in depth study of the Book of Ephesians using the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible as a resource, I came across these two study questions:
(1) (Ephesians 6:10-17) What is the "armor of God" we need in order to resist the daily attacks by malevolent spirits? In Paul's inventory, what kinds of weapons do we have? How do the OT (Old Testament) books of Wisdom and Isaiah, to which Paul alludes, picture Yahweh? What does this OT background suggest for our reading of the passage?
(2) For application: (Ephesian 6:12-13) Do you believe in the reality of spiritual warfare? How have you experienced its reality in your own life? What is going on now that you might call spiritual warfare? If you do you believe that events - especially negative ones - reflect "warfare" of a spiritual nature, how would you explain what Paul is talking about?
The study bible makes reference to Wisdom 5:17-20 and Isaiah 59:17 which "depict Yahweh as a warrior suiting up for battle against the ungodly. The church joins him in this holy war as believers are enlisted among his troops and equipped with his divine armory. This background suggests that Paul's imagery is more closely linked with Yahweh's spiritual armor than with the military gear of a Roman soldier." I never learned these verses this way! I had always tried to figure out what individual weapon was supposed to mean (sword, breast plate, shield, helmet, and protective foot wear) by imagining them on a Roman soldier during combat. It is refreshing to know that the Lord is the one who is leading this battle. "The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;" (Wisdom 5:17). St. Jerome said it this way: "To put on the armor of God is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Called truth and righteousness, our Savior is our belt and our breast plate. Called the living Word of God, he is the sword who is sharp on both sides." Now that's simple to remember. Whenever I feel I am in a battle, I am reminded to put on Jesus - "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!" (Ephesians 6:10)
I do believe in the reality of spiritual warfare. The devil is real and I am learning more and more of his tricks which are often quite subtle. C.S. Lewis has written an insightful (but humorous) book about the subtle attacks of the Devil (The Screwtape Letters).
The last time I wrote about the armor of God was a birthday blog for my oldest daughter Joan 4 years ago. I just read it again and my prayer is that it is still relevant and helpful to her journey. You can read it here:
http://davidhcchan.blogspot.ca/2013/02/for-joans-birthday.html
(1) (Ephesians 6:10-17) What is the "armor of God" we need in order to resist the daily attacks by malevolent spirits? In Paul's inventory, what kinds of weapons do we have? How do the OT (Old Testament) books of Wisdom and Isaiah, to which Paul alludes, picture Yahweh? What does this OT background suggest for our reading of the passage?
(2) For application: (Ephesian 6:12-13) Do you believe in the reality of spiritual warfare? How have you experienced its reality in your own life? What is going on now that you might call spiritual warfare? If you do you believe that events - especially negative ones - reflect "warfare" of a spiritual nature, how would you explain what Paul is talking about?
The study bible makes reference to Wisdom 5:17-20 and Isaiah 59:17 which "depict Yahweh as a warrior suiting up for battle against the ungodly. The church joins him in this holy war as believers are enlisted among his troops and equipped with his divine armory. This background suggests that Paul's imagery is more closely linked with Yahweh's spiritual armor than with the military gear of a Roman soldier." I never learned these verses this way! I had always tried to figure out what individual weapon was supposed to mean (sword, breast plate, shield, helmet, and protective foot wear) by imagining them on a Roman soldier during combat. It is refreshing to know that the Lord is the one who is leading this battle. "The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;" (Wisdom 5:17). St. Jerome said it this way: "To put on the armor of God is to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Called truth and righteousness, our Savior is our belt and our breast plate. Called the living Word of God, he is the sword who is sharp on both sides." Now that's simple to remember. Whenever I feel I am in a battle, I am reminded to put on Jesus - "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might!" (Ephesians 6:10)
I do believe in the reality of spiritual warfare. The devil is real and I am learning more and more of his tricks which are often quite subtle. C.S. Lewis has written an insightful (but humorous) book about the subtle attacks of the Devil (The Screwtape Letters).
The last time I wrote about the armor of God was a birthday blog for my oldest daughter Joan 4 years ago. I just read it again and my prayer is that it is still relevant and helpful to her journey. You can read it here:
http://davidhcchan.blogspot.ca/2013/02/for-joans-birthday.html
Saturday, 28 January 2017
Baptism in the Spirit and Fire
The men's group met again at 7am this morning to watch Father Dave giving a talk on "Baptism in the Spirit and Fire". This is the third session of a 14-week series on the understanding of the Holy Spirit (http://thewildgooseisloose.com/). The main biblical text for this session is taken from Matthew 3:11:
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
These words were spoken by John the Baptist, right before Jesus coming to the river Jordan to be baptized by him. But he said those words directed against the Pharisees and Sadducees who also were coming for his baptism (Matthew 3:7-10):
"But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
The words that followed Matthew 3:11 were the continuation of John the Baptist's pronouncement of judgement to those who came to his baptism only for the cleansing of their sins but had no intention to repent of them (see meaning of repentance in Note 1):
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:12)
Notice the word "fire" which in this context was meant for judgement (verses 10 and 12), whereas the "fire" that comes with Jesus' baptism is one of purification (verse 11).
The rich setting of the river Jordan is particularly meaningful to me. For in the Old Testament, it is a river that signifies deliverance and healing. Like the Red Sea, the Israelites were able to cross it on dry ground to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17). And Naaman the Syrian was cured of his leprosy after dipping into the Jordan river 7 times at the command of the prophet Elisha, after which he gave this testimony: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel" (2 King 5:14-15). The Ignatius Study Bible pointed out that these Old Testament events prefigure the saving power of the Sacrament of Baptism (CCC 1222).
I had a chance to read through the Catechism again on the Sacrament of Baptism (CCC 1213-1284). These two verses really speak to me:
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS 1624).
The discussion this morning with the men around my table concerned whether a baptized believer required another baptism (in the Holy Spirit - with all its paranormal manifestations) to have a more powerful christian experience. I don't think the church teaches it. I love my church and her teaching! And I thank the work of the Holy Spirit along with my Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Note:
(1) Meaning of repentance as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart). (CCC 143)
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
These words were spoken by John the Baptist, right before Jesus coming to the river Jordan to be baptized by him. But he said those words directed against the Pharisees and Sadducees who also were coming for his baptism (Matthew 3:7-10):
"But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."
The words that followed Matthew 3:11 were the continuation of John the Baptist's pronouncement of judgement to those who came to his baptism only for the cleansing of their sins but had no intention to repent of them (see meaning of repentance in Note 1):
"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:12)
Notice the word "fire" which in this context was meant for judgement (verses 10 and 12), whereas the "fire" that comes with Jesus' baptism is one of purification (verse 11).
The rich setting of the river Jordan is particularly meaningful to me. For in the Old Testament, it is a river that signifies deliverance and healing. Like the Red Sea, the Israelites were able to cross it on dry ground to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17). And Naaman the Syrian was cured of his leprosy after dipping into the Jordan river 7 times at the command of the prophet Elisha, after which he gave this testimony: "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel" (2 King 5:14-15). The Ignatius Study Bible pointed out that these Old Testament events prefigure the saving power of the Sacrament of Baptism (CCC 1222).
I had a chance to read through the Catechism again on the Sacrament of Baptism (CCC 1213-1284). These two verses really speak to me:
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."
1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS 1624).
The discussion this morning with the men around my table concerned whether a baptized believer required another baptism (in the Holy Spirit - with all its paranormal manifestations) to have a more powerful christian experience. I don't think the church teaches it. I love my church and her teaching! And I thank the work of the Holy Spirit along with my Heavenly Father and my Lord Jesus:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Note:
(1) Meaning of repentance as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart). (CCC 143)
Friday, 20 January 2017
The Mystery of Faith
There are still a couple of places during Mass where I have to pull out the "cheat sheet" (the New Roman Missal) to read my responses. Not that they are difficult to remember, I just haven't had the discipline to commit them to memory. The first part is after the priest saying, "Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters), that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God the Father almighty." and my response is "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.". The second part is when the priest says, "The Mystery of Faith" and my response should be, "We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.". Now how difficult can that be!
There are lots of online help to understand the origin and meaning of these rites during Mass. I will focus in this post on "The Mystery of Faith" as I have been studying the Book of Ephesians this week and the word Mystery came up six times (compared with 22 times in the rest of the New Testament). For example, "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Ephesians 3:5-6). The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible on Ephesians provides a Word Study on Mystery (Ephesians 3:3). It suggests that "like Jesus, who revealed the mysteries of His kingdom through parables (Matthew 13:11, Mark 4:11), St Paul often taught his readers about the hidden plan of God now manifest in the reign of Christ (Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 5:32; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:16)". I was surprised to learn that "the most likely background for this notion is the Book of Daniel, where "mystery" appears eight times in a single chapter (Daniel 2:18-19,27-30,47). Here the mystery was revealed in a dream to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar" whose empire (represented by a huge statue of a human body with him the king as the head) would be destroyed and replaced by the messianic kingdom of God, which is the kingdom revealed in Ephesians - the mystery of another body, the Church, with its head, Jesus Christ.
Apparently the use of the phrase "The Mystery of Faith" is non-biblical according to this EWTN answer given by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara:
""The mystery of faith" is non-biblical and was added to the consecration formula before the sixth century. Some authors plausibly suggest that it was added by Pope St. Leo the Great (440-461) in order to combat the Manicheans who denied the goodness of material things. In this way the Pope underlined the gift of salvation itself comes through the shedding of Christ’s material blood as well as through partaking in the material elements used in the Eucharistic sacrifice that makes this sacrifice present in the here and now."
He went on to say,
"The possible historical context of Manichaeism mentioned above has little relevance for today. I believe that the best key to interpreting the present liturgical meaning of the expression comes from the texts of the people's acclamation: "We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again." or "When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again." or "Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free."
All three expressions show that the expression "The mystery of faith" is not limited to the Real Presence but rather to the entire mystery of salvation through Christ's death, resurrection and ascension which is made present in the celebration of the Eucharist. "
And he further emphasized,
"In no way do I wish to suggest that devotion to the Real Presence should be weakened. I simply propose that this great and wonderful reality be always seen in its proper perspective and inseparable relationship with the true center, that is, the celebration of Christ's eternal sacrifice. Indeed, when this is done, true devotion to Christ in the tabernacle or the monstrance is greatly enriched and enhanced."
So I find St Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers particularly helpful for me:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
That's why I love going to Mass so much!
There are lots of online help to understand the origin and meaning of these rites during Mass. I will focus in this post on "The Mystery of Faith" as I have been studying the Book of Ephesians this week and the word Mystery came up six times (compared with 22 times in the rest of the New Testament). For example, "In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Ephesians 3:5-6). The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible on Ephesians provides a Word Study on Mystery (Ephesians 3:3). It suggests that "like Jesus, who revealed the mysteries of His kingdom through parables (Matthew 13:11, Mark 4:11), St Paul often taught his readers about the hidden plan of God now manifest in the reign of Christ (Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 5:32; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:16)". I was surprised to learn that "the most likely background for this notion is the Book of Daniel, where "mystery" appears eight times in a single chapter (Daniel 2:18-19,27-30,47). Here the mystery was revealed in a dream to the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar" whose empire (represented by a huge statue of a human body with him the king as the head) would be destroyed and replaced by the messianic kingdom of God, which is the kingdom revealed in Ephesians - the mystery of another body, the Church, with its head, Jesus Christ.
Apparently the use of the phrase "The Mystery of Faith" is non-biblical according to this EWTN answer given by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara:
""The mystery of faith" is non-biblical and was added to the consecration formula before the sixth century. Some authors plausibly suggest that it was added by Pope St. Leo the Great (440-461) in order to combat the Manicheans who denied the goodness of material things. In this way the Pope underlined the gift of salvation itself comes through the shedding of Christ’s material blood as well as through partaking in the material elements used in the Eucharistic sacrifice that makes this sacrifice present in the here and now."
He went on to say,
"The possible historical context of Manichaeism mentioned above has little relevance for today. I believe that the best key to interpreting the present liturgical meaning of the expression comes from the texts of the people's acclamation: "We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again." or "When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again." or "Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free."
All three expressions show that the expression "The mystery of faith" is not limited to the Real Presence but rather to the entire mystery of salvation through Christ's death, resurrection and ascension which is made present in the celebration of the Eucharist. "
And he further emphasized,
"In no way do I wish to suggest that devotion to the Real Presence should be weakened. I simply propose that this great and wonderful reality be always seen in its proper perspective and inseparable relationship with the true center, that is, the celebration of Christ's eternal sacrifice. Indeed, when this is done, true devotion to Christ in the tabernacle or the monstrance is greatly enriched and enhanced."
So I find St Paul's prayer for the Ephesian believers particularly helpful for me:
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
That's why I love going to Mass so much!
Friday, 13 January 2017
The Purpose of the Law
Oh what an incredible week of discovery. I just finished the first three chapters of the Book of Galatians and I am learning so much! This Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is definitely the best Study Bible/Commentary I have ever read. I love it so much that I immediately purchased two more: The Gospels of Matthew and The Gospel of Luke. I should be set for the next 5 to 6 weeks for my Scriptural Gleaning and content materials for this blog!
The most important discovery this week has been the various aspects of the "Law". I have not always been clear about the teaching of the church coming from the many different Protestant traditions. I always understood that the importance of the "Law" (see note 1) for the Christians is basically the Ten Commandments but not the other 613 commandments (note 2) scattered throughout the Torah. I had memorized it and held it in very high regard to guide my day to day action. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught me a much deeper meaning on the Ten Commandments. For example, depending on how you count them (note 3), on the sixth commandment, Jesus taught, "“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:27-30) Jesus is obviously more interested in the purity of our inner being than just the outward appearance only. Also He held the Ten Commandments in high regard and wanted us to do likewise.
So what have I learned?
(1) Why was the Torah even necessary?
"Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring would come to whom the promise had been made; and it was ordained through angels by a mediator." (Galatians 3:19) Paul explained that the reason the Torah was inserted into history between the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 22:18; Sirach 44:21) and the New Covenant (CCC 706) was to expose transgressions and heightened Israel's awareness of sin (Romans 3:20; 5:20; 7:7). The Law was given because of the rebellion of Israel during the Exodus period, particularly the golden calf transgression (note 4).
(2) So is the Torah still necessary today?
"Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, " (Galatians 3:23-25)
The word disciplinarian (or "custodian") "refers to a household slave in Hellenistic society who was charged by a father to oversee the moral formation of his son... until he reached maturity." (from the Word Study of "Custodian") I also looked up the Word Study for "Justified" (Romans 2:13) in the Study Bible. To be justified is to be acquitted, or to be pronounced righteous. Christ came and died for us, which frees us from sin (Acts 13:39; Romans 6:7) through the free gift of grace (Romans 3:24) which is received by faith (Romans 3:26; 5:1) in the liturgical context of Baptism (1 Corinthians 6:11). So because I was baptized and had believed (and continue to believe) that Jesus died for my sins on the cross, I am justified by God. This produces an inward transformation which makes me holy and righteous in His sight (Romans 5:19); (CCC 654 - note 5). So in fact, I no longer depend on the "Works of the Law" to prove my adoption into God's family - i.e. circumcision, food restrictions, observance of the Sabbath etc. However, the moral principles (as presented by the Ten Commandments and many other teachings in the Old and New Testaments, and the Church) will continue to shape my conscience and assist me in all my daily actions. For example, I continue to reflect on the Ten Commandments before I go to my confession.
I am grateful for the Law, and I am grateful for the gift of faith. The world (and the devil) is telling me to live for myself and for this life. But praise be to God, I am motivated by love, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for God and for eternity! And praise God for the Community of Faith, Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch who wrote the Study Bible!
"for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26-29)
Note:
(1) "Law" (or the "Mosaic Law") is translated from the Hebrew word "Torah" - which is the first five books (the "Pentateuch") of the Hebrew Bible - or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.
(2) I also just learned that the word commandment (singular) is in Hebrew Mitzvah. Bar/Bat Mitzvah literally means Son/Daughter of Commandment - the Jewish coming of age ritual! According to Wikipedia "Many of the mitzvot (pleural of mitzvah) cannot be observed now, following the destruction of the Second Temple, although they still retain religious significance... there are 77 positive and 194 negative commandments that can be observed today, of which there are 26 commands that apply only within the Land of Israel. Furthermore, there are some time-related commandments from which women are exempt ... Some depend on the special status of a person in Judaism, while others apply only to men or only to women."
(3) I have learned that the reformers have separated the first commandment into two (see picture below) to basically discredit the Catholic church for having statues and relics in their churches! I am now very happy to see them. They are what Mother Angelica called "Holy Reminders". I don't worship them but they remind me of saints in the past who I can call on to pray for me.
(5) CCC 654 - "The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life. This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God's grace, "so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." Justification consists in both victory over the death caused by sin and a new participation in grace. It brings about filial adoption so that men become Christ's brethren, as Jesus himself called his disciples after his Resurrection: "Go and tell my brethren." We are brethren not by nature, but by the gift of grace, because that adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection. "
Friday, 6 January 2017
The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
I am turning a new leaf in 2017! After many years of reading through the entire bible each year (the Protestant's 66 books only) I am going to study in greater detail one New Testament Book every 2 weeks - which will take 54 weeks! My Scriptural Gleaning blog will highlight what I have learned each week.
To begin, I read the Introduction to the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. I was reminded of the meaning of Inspiration and Inerrancy of Holy Scripture, Biblical Authority and Criteria for Biblical Interpretation. But most important of all, I was reminded,
"Unless I am living a sustained and disciplined life of prayer, I will never have the reverence, the profound humility, or the grace I need to see the Scriptures for what they really are. I am approaching the "word of God". But for thousands of years, since before God knit me in my mother's womb, the Word of God has been approaching me!"
I base my study on the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - Second Edition Revised Standard Version. The first book I am going to study is the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians. I received this study guide as my Christmas present from my daughters a few weeks ago. Already there are almost as many highlighted text as there are not highlighted! It's going to be a great year for studying God's word!
Biblegateway.com has the online New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE). It makes it easy to copy and paste the text into my blog. I have picked "The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit" as the title of this post because the first thing that strikes me about the Book of Galatians is contrasts.
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. " (Galatians 5:19-23)
The other contrasts I found:
Gospel of Christ or Not Gospel at all
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!" (Galatians 1:6-9)
Circumcised or Uncircumcised; Bondage or Freedom; Law or Faith (Galatians 2 and the rest of the book)
Going back to Galatians 5:19-23 when I looked at the list of 15+ sins my heart sank! That list pretty much described me! Well maybe I have just a little bit of each, some more so than others, and mostly in my mind and heart and not in actual action. I also noted that these are grave (mortal) sins for they can send me to hell (see also Romans 8:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5)! "The sins of the flesh include more than just sins of the body. They consist of every act of immorality and injustice that stems from a disordered love of the world (James 4:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17). These grave sins sever offenders from Christ (Galatians 5:4) and will block their entrance into heaven if repentance is neglected (CCC 1470, 1855)." (Commentary and CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church).
By contrast, if I confess my sins regularly, recommit my life to Christ and live constantly in the Spirit, the list of 9 virtues will grow and bear fruit! "The indwelling of the Spirit produces holiness in the lives of believers (Matthew 12:33; John 15:1-6). The first fruit of this divine presence is love, the source of all that is good and the virtue upon which others are built (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22). It may be significant that Paul says, "fruit" (singular) instead of "fruits" (plural), suggesting that life in the Spirit is integrated and whole, not fragmented or divided (CCC 736, 1695, 1832)." (Commentary)
So how do I "crucify the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24)? "Baptism unites believers with the saving death of Jesus... we die to our former way of life through the Spirit, who gives us new strength to master our passions and selfish desires (Romans 7:21-8:2; CCC 2543, 2848)" (Commentary) For me uniting with the saving death of Jesus means regular confession and partaking the Eucharist. I can't do this on my own. I receive sacramental grace each time I go to confession and attend Mass to feed on Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Since retirement I have been able to attend Mass 3-4 times a week. I have been very blessed! I look forward to 2017 to see what God has in store for me.
To begin, I read the Introduction to the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. I was reminded of the meaning of Inspiration and Inerrancy of Holy Scripture, Biblical Authority and Criteria for Biblical Interpretation. But most important of all, I was reminded,
"Unless I am living a sustained and disciplined life of prayer, I will never have the reverence, the profound humility, or the grace I need to see the Scriptures for what they really are. I am approaching the "word of God". But for thousands of years, since before God knit me in my mother's womb, the Word of God has been approaching me!"
I base my study on the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - Second Edition Revised Standard Version. The first book I am going to study is the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians. I received this study guide as my Christmas present from my daughters a few weeks ago. Already there are almost as many highlighted text as there are not highlighted! It's going to be a great year for studying God's word!
Biblegateway.com has the online New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE). It makes it easy to copy and paste the text into my blog. I have picked "The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit" as the title of this post because the first thing that strikes me about the Book of Galatians is contrasts.
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. " (Galatians 5:19-23)
The other contrasts I found:
Gospel of Christ or Not Gospel at all
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!" (Galatians 1:6-9)
Circumcised or Uncircumcised; Bondage or Freedom; Law or Faith (Galatians 2 and the rest of the book)
Going back to Galatians 5:19-23 when I looked at the list of 15+ sins my heart sank! That list pretty much described me! Well maybe I have just a little bit of each, some more so than others, and mostly in my mind and heart and not in actual action. I also noted that these are grave (mortal) sins for they can send me to hell (see also Romans 8:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5)! "The sins of the flesh include more than just sins of the body. They consist of every act of immorality and injustice that stems from a disordered love of the world (James 4:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17). These grave sins sever offenders from Christ (Galatians 5:4) and will block their entrance into heaven if repentance is neglected (CCC 1470, 1855)." (Commentary and CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church).
By contrast, if I confess my sins regularly, recommit my life to Christ and live constantly in the Spirit, the list of 9 virtues will grow and bear fruit! "The indwelling of the Spirit produces holiness in the lives of believers (Matthew 12:33; John 15:1-6). The first fruit of this divine presence is love, the source of all that is good and the virtue upon which others are built (Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:22). It may be significant that Paul says, "fruit" (singular) instead of "fruits" (plural), suggesting that life in the Spirit is integrated and whole, not fragmented or divided (CCC 736, 1695, 1832)." (Commentary)
So how do I "crucify the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24)? "Baptism unites believers with the saving death of Jesus... we die to our former way of life through the Spirit, who gives us new strength to master our passions and selfish desires (Romans 7:21-8:2; CCC 2543, 2848)" (Commentary) For me uniting with the saving death of Jesus means regular confession and partaking the Eucharist. I can't do this on my own. I receive sacramental grace each time I go to confession and attend Mass to feed on Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Since retirement I have been able to attend Mass 3-4 times a week. I have been very blessed! I look forward to 2017 to see what God has in store for me.
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