eCatechist

Broken But Not Divided: Connecting Sacraments and Service by Ronald Patrick Raab, CSC

Dear Followers of the Christ,

In John 20:19-31, we follow the disciples into a closed room. The locked doors and the closed windows reveal the fear of those who were left behind after Jesus’ death. I can’t blame them for being hunched over in pain. They witnessed the tragedy of Jesus’ cross. They thought he was the one to follow. They put all their hope in this man who suffered severely and died in front of them. They had no idea what to do next or where to go for healing.

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What Is the Bible? by Bishop William C. Wack, CSC

The mission of Jesus Christ is alive and well in the Florida panhandle. Taking their cues from the great Vatican II document of the same name, the Gaudium et Spes Podcast chronicles the Holy Spirit’s amazing work in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee through bi-weekly episodes alternating between teaching and storytelling.

Bishop Wack begins his newest teaching series on the Scriptures by offering an introduction to the sources of divine revelation and outlining the composition of the Bible

Gaudium et Spes Podcast

Episode 15 - Gaudium et Spes: a Teaching from Bishop Wack on "What Is the Bible"

Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World

 

Bishop Wack: We need more evangelical Catholics (America)

The Holy Spirit is alive and active, renewing the church in every age. That is not what one might expect to hear, in light of the challenges, divisions and vitriol that are so evident in our world and in the Catholic Church. But I am convinced that God is leading us back into the heart of the Gospel. Though it is hardly novel to God, it may feel radical to us.

St. Paul VI wrote, “The Church exists to evangelize.” It is our raison d’être. If this is true, then why does this charge feel so revolutionary? Have we not been doing this for 2,000 years? Well, yes and no. There have been periods of great missionary fervor in the history of our church, but in the last few centuries, it would seem as though the people of God have chosen largely to focus more on building up and maintaining our beautiful institutions. The harsh reality is that if we were graded on our faithfulness to the Great Commission, we might not even get an “A” for effort.

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Spotlight on Scripture

This Year’s Scriptures: The Gospel of Luke by Steve Mueller

In the three-year lectionary cycle, the Sunday Gospel readings for Year C are taken primarily from the gospel of Luke. Each of the gospels proclaims that the good news of our salvation (our right relationship with God) is best understood by attending closely to the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Their strategy was to invite readers to identify with Jesus and the disciples in the story, and follow Jesus as they did. 

How Luke’s Gospel Came About 

In the mid-eighties of the first century, Luke set about to adapt Mark’s gospel to the needs of his primarily Gentile community which was probably located in Antioch, the center of the Christian missionary effort to include the Gentiles. He wanted to show that what happened to Jesus was foreshadowed in the Old Testament and continued after Jesus’ death in the life of the Christian disciples. Luke tells the story of our salvation in two volumes, his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. 

Luke’s Portrait of Jesus the Prophet

Luke’s very engaging portrait of Jesus focuses on his activity as a healing-saving prophet. Born “a Savior” (2:11), he comes “to seek and to save what is lost” (19:10). The ambiguity of the same Greek word for save/heal allows Luke to stress that our bodily and spiritual health are interconnected. When Jesus tells those He cures, “Go, your faith has saved you,” this could also mean “your faith has healed you” (7:50, 8:48, 17:19, 18:42). 

Jesus the Healing Prophet

Jesus’ ministry of healing is God’s salvation and so breaks across all our humanly created boundaries. Like a magnet, Jesus draws the poor, the outcasts, the sick, women, and foreigners to himself for healing. Through his powerful parables about the lost coin, the lost son and the lost sheep (15:1-32), Jesus challenges us to reach out beyond our narrow and comfortable borders to seek and save the lost.

Luke characterizes Jesus as a prophet, “mighty in word and deed” (24:19, see also 4:24, 7:16, 7:39) whose job description (4:16-30, 7:22-23) is from the prophet Isaiah. As a spokesperson for God, his prophetic message is an invitation to see the world from God’s perspective rather than from a human viewpoint. 

Jesus the Prophet of Justice

Perhaps because Luke portrays Jesus as a prophet, he shows Jesus taking up the prophetic cause for social justice. At the start of his ministry, Jesus associates his work with that of the spirit-filled prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-30). In his ministry he will reach out to the poor, the blind, the downtrodden, prisoners and those who need to experience God’s reversal of the human value system.

In the beatitudes and woes (6:20-26) Jesus describes God’s values and God’s ways. Quite unexpectedly, God’s blessing is not bestowed on the rich but on the poor, the hungry, the sorrowing, the hated, the persecuted and the rejected. 

Concern for the Poor

Luke’s special concern for the poor is revealed in the many sayings and stories of Jesus that deal with the issues of rich and poor. When borrowing from Mark, Luke usually intensifies Mark’s emphasis on the rich and poor. He also introduces many new passages that mention the poor that are not found in the other gospels-Mary’s Magnificat (1:39-54), Jesus’ sermon at Nazareth (4:16-30), the Good Samaritan who uses his wealth to help another (10:29-37), the great supper (14:16-24),  the rich fool (12:16-21), the rich man and Lazarus (16:19-26), and Zacchaeus (19:1-10)-who represents the right response of a wealthy person to Jesus’ presence and preaching.

Jesus the Suffering Prophet

Jesus advocacy for justice inevitable led to a confrontation with the Jewish authorities who conspired with the Roman occupation force to bring about his murder. Luke understands this suffering as an essential part of the prophet’s role (13:33-34). In his version of Christ’s passion, Luke portrays Jesus as an innocent martyr. Pilate (23:4,14,22), Herod (23:15) and the centurion at the foot of the cross all declare Him innocent (23:47). Jesus dies as he lived—forgiving his persecutors and saving a good thief. 

Mary, Luke’s Model Disciple

For Luke, Mary stands out as a model of genuine discipleship. Like the prophets of old, she is characterized as a person who responds wholeheartedly to God’s call. Her “Let it be” starts God’s work both in her body and in her life to bring forth Jesus (1:26-38). She keeps all these things in her heart and ponders them (2:19). In the ministry of Jesus, she is identified as one who “hears the word and acts on it” (8:21). After the resurrection she is found praying in the community of disciples as they await the Pentecostal empowerment of the Holy Spirit for their mission (Acts 1:14).

Luke highlights his way of discipleship more clearly in the Acts of the Apostles. The risen Christ reveals to the disciples that the Kingdom will come through their Spirit-filled witness (1:8) to the ends of the earth. They will witness with their words and with their lives. Being a Christian demands fearless witness and a shattering of the borders between Jew and Gentile to build a new community in Christ.

Christian Discipleship: Following Jesus on the Journey to God

More than any other gospel writer, Luke structures his gospel life of Jesus according to the pattern of a journey. The journey structure is a familiar one for understanding our human lives. It is a natural way to pull together our experience of changes in space—going from the starting point through a transition to a new place—and time—from the past where we have lived, through the present where we live now and toward the future where we hope to live.

The familiar “from-through-to” pattern of a journey describes Jesus’ gospel life. He comes from God to become human in Mary’s womb. He moves back toward God through a life of service dedicated to establishing God’s kingdom community in Galilee. He confronts opposition and is killed in Jerusalem. He is rewarded by God with new life and finally returns to God to continue the relationship begun here on earth. And he invites each of us to follow or imitate this journey with him. This journey of Christ is also the pattern that each Christian must follow. His journey is our journey too. 

Steve Mueller is the author of the five books in the Catechist's Guide to Reading the Bible Series. 

 

Study the Sunday Gospel This Lent from Good Ground Press

If you haven’t tried Sunday by Sunday Online yet, you owe it to yourself to read a sample Lenten issue. Let reading and praying the Gospels be your Lenten practice this year. Nothing beats sharing the Gospel message with friends and family, especially during Lent.  These digital issues are easy to take everywhere and can be viewed on any device (computer, tablets, phones). You can also download and print each issue off. Once you place your order, Lacy will send you the link to the Sunday by Sunday Lent page and the password. Our special price for the eight Lent/Easter issues is only $5.00 per person.

Good Ground Press

 

Prayer at the Threshold of the New Year by Stephen J. Binz

Merciful God, at the threshold of this new year, we pray that you will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. Thank you for all that you have allowed us to experience this past year, the joyful along with the difficult, which have reminded us of our need to trust in you. Forgive our failings, for the times we have let worry and fear control our lives, for allowing pride and selfishness to keep us from living close to you. By relying on your mercy, gives us hearts open to compassion and forgiveness. In every situation, may we cease judging and seek for the ways our hearts are being stretched. Make us steadfast and courageous for the road ahead. Let your grace flow freely through us in all our ways so that you will be honored by our lives and others will be drawn to you. Give us wisdom and discernment to listen to your voice, to understand your will, and to follow the path you have laid for us. May we reflect your mercy and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. And may we, at the doorway of this new year, commit ourselves to a genuine and living relationship with Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Stephen J. Binz

 

Follow Steve on Facebook.

Steve is the author of Threshold Bible Study Series from Twenty-Third Publications.

Bible Stories Revisited: Discover Your Story in the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles by Macrina Scott, OSF

In her examination of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Sr. Macrina Scott gives special attention to those stories and issues particularly characteristic of Luke s writings: concern for the disadvantaged especially women, the poor and cultural minorities and prayer. Through a spiritual look at the stories unique to Luke, such as the Good Samaritan, Mary and Martha, the Lost Coin, the Road to Emmaus, this book offers rich insight into the mission and message of Jesus.

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Note: The Sunday Lectionary Cycle C selects readings from the Gospel of Luke. Sr. Macrina Scott, the founder of the original Denver Biblical School, has written an excellent resource for individual reflection and small group faith sharing. 

 

Sister Macrina's Obituary

Image: Denver Catholic

Sister Macrina Scott, passed away April 2, 2015. Sister of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity (Marycrest Franciscans). Marguerite Rose Scott (Peggy) was born January 1, 1932, to Robert and Marguerite Scott, who lived in Chicago. She was their only child until Jean was born seven years later, and Marie another four years later. She fell in love with the last baby, who has been her closest friend through life. The family moved to Baltimore, to Amarillo, Texas, and then back to Chicago as Peggy entered high school.

She attended six different Catholic schools, and always loved the sisters and felt drawn to their life. For two years she attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she became deeply attracted to Benedictine life. After a year at the University of Chicago she decided to enter a contemplative Benedictine community, Regina Laudis, in Bethlehem, Connecticut. During her seventeen years there she was deeply formed in a liturgical and biblical spirituality.

The Second Vatican Council came as a powerful call of the Spirit, and led to her leaving monastic life to participate in a house of prayer being established at Marycrest, and eventually to her transfer to the Marycrest Franciscans. As a Franciscan she participated in the spiritual renewal that came in the wake of the Council especially through retreat work, giving spiritual direction, and teaching scripture.  

After obtaining a Master's Degree in Theological Studies at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, she founded the Catholic Biblical School of the Archdiocese of Denver. In her twenty years as director of that program, thousands of adults participated in it in Denver, and many more used the printed form published by Paulist Press. She knew that this was the work for which God had prepared her all her life, and she gave herself to it wholeheartedly.  

She believed strongly in the value of the retirement years. When she retired at the age of seventy she tried to gather others eager for the spiritual adventures of aging at Wisdom Center at Marycrest, [then at Most Precious Blood Parish]. She also continued to write and teach about scripture.

Her published works include many articles and three books: Picking the "Right" Bible Study Program, Bible Stories Revisited: Discover Your Story in the Old Testament, and Bible Stories Revisited: Discover Your Story in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

She found joy in her later years in the home of her niece Lori Kochevar, her husband Dave Sullivan, and their two beautiful children, Brandon and Tessa Marie. All her life she has yearned for the fullness of union that comes only with death, and she is grateful to have found it. Sr. Macrina wrote the above obituary and it was what she most wanted conveyed to all those who survived her. Macrina died Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 1:44 p.m. at Collier Hospice Center, in Denver, Colorado where she was surrounded by many of her sisters and her niece, Lori Kochevar. 

Mary at 45: Luke's Model of Mature Wisdom by Steve Mueller

        

Mary by El Greco

 

         Our local paper recently ran a story about a church that was being demolished. In the process, the workers discovered a time capsule from 1882. They found a newspaper that carried a story about a woman that had died from overexposure in the harsh winter. She was described as an “elderly woman of forty-seven!”

         It is hard for us to imagine that just a hundred years ago the mid-forties was a full lifetime for most people. This got me to thinking about Mary the mother of Jesus, who would have been in her mid-forties at the time of His death.

         How often do we think of Mary as “elderly”? In our culture, where youth is at a premium and people seem willing to do anything rather than age, we usually focus on Mary the teen-age maiden who learns that she is to be a mother. But what about the rest of Mary’s life? In particular, since Jesus was about thirty years of age when he began his public ministry (Lk 3:23), how can the mature Mary at age forty-five be our example too?

         In order to reflect on this, we need to understand something about the cultural meaning of the age of forty-five for their world. Then, since Luke’s gospel highlights Mary more than the other gospels, we can reflect on Luke’s example of Mary at forty-five to discover how we might emulate her example of mature wisdom, connectedness and care.

 

The New Testament with Lectio Divina

Paulist Press

Praise Be Peace: Psalms of Peace and Nonviolence... by John Dear

In a violent world, and amid the reality of catastrophic climate change, it s easy to feel overwhelmed. Where can we turn to find the courage and inspiration, we need to stay hopeful and to keep working for peace? International peace activist Fr. John Dear has always found support and comfort in the psalms. In this profound and deeply reflective book he helps us see that if we read the psalms from Jesus vision of nonviolence, we will find new strength to turn away from hate and anger toward greater trust and devotion to God and newfound wisdom, gratitude, and wonder.

Amazon

For more information about the life and ministry of John Dear visit his website: Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus.

 

Word of God and Liturgy Course by Fr. John Kartje

Through the mission of Christ, God gives us access to the eternal dialogue between the Persons of the Trinity. This happens out of the Father’s infinite love for us, for Jesus Christ is the eternal Word made flesh. This five-session course explores the relationships between the Sacred Scriptures and the Liturgy and the sacramental nature of the Word of God.

This a completely self-paced course that starts now and never ends.

75% off Original Price

For more information/register.

Psalm Sense 118 by Fr. John Geaney, CSP

In this episode of “Psalm Sense,” Paulist  Fr. John Geaney, inspired by Psalm 118, reflects on Easter.

A veteran Catholic communicator, Fr. Geaney lives at the Paulist Center in Boston. He most recently served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids, MI.

 

Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark

This summer and all through autumn, we hear stories from the Gospel of Mark at Sunday Eucharist. Sister Joan shows how the Sunday excerpts fit into the whole story of Jesus’ life and ministry. The 11 short chapters and the questions make this book ideal for bible study and faith-sharing groups.
 
Click here to read the Table of Contents and sample chapters. Order at goodgroundpress.com or call 800-232-5533. Only $10.00 per book.

 

The Catechist's Guide to Reading Your Bible Series by Steve Mueller

There are five books in The Catechist's Guide to Reading the Bible Series by Steve Mueller. To preview all books, read table of contents and sample pages, and order, visit: The Catechist's Guide to Reading the Bible Series.

Mark's Gospel: The Whole Story

Join Sr. Joan Mitchell, scripture scholar and founder of Good Ground Press, beginning on March 25, 2021 for Mark's Gospel the Whole Store.

Good Ground Press

Sister Joan Mitchell, CSJ

Bible Basics: Becoming Better Bible Readers by Steve Mueller

Facilitated by Steve Mueller, PhD

Thursday, March 11, 7-8:30 pm

$10 donation suggested

(RSVP by March 9)  Zoom Presentation

Register at http://bit.ly/CICBibleBasics

Sponsored by the Catholic Information Center, Grand Rapids, MI

Beginning in 2020, Pope Francis designated the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God, "to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of God’s Word.” He encourages us all “to grow in our knowledge and love of the Scriptures and of the risen Lord, who continues to speak his word and to break bread in the community of believers.”

In this class, Dr. Steve Mueller will offer practical help for all who wish to become better Bible readers, whether they are just beginning or continuing to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills. In this presentation he will explore in more detail ways to better read and understand the New Testament Gospels, Letters, and Book of Revelation. He will also provide the opportunity to answer our questions. 

In preparation for the class, we ask that you watch his CIC video presentation, Reading Your Bible: Discovering the Message for Today (https://bit.ly/CICbiblebasicsvideo) in which he explores the basic questions of what we read, why we read, and how we read the bible. 

Please have your bible available during the class.

Steve Mueller, PhD is author of the five books in The Catechist’s Guide Reading Series published by Faith Alive Books. He taught for many years in the renowned Denver Catholic Biblical School for adult scripture study and was formerly the editor-in-chief of the monthly periodical Living with Christ. He is the current editor for Words of Grace: Daily Reflections & Prayers for Catholics for All Saints Press.

Faith Alive Books

Lent 2021: 5 Weeks with God's Word

A faith-sharing group provides a simple way to gather with others, read scripture, reflect on its meaning and share our insights with one another. One way that we grow as followers of Jesus is to read and pray the scriptures with others. Gathering a group for faith sharing does not require any special permission or elaborate materials. Your group can simply begin by gathering together for reading, reflection, discussion and prayer about the Sunday Lectionary readings this Lent.

The group can be made up of anyone who wishes to grow in faith and is willing to share their experiences of living with Christ together—a group of friends from the neighborhood or school, the workplace or the parish, fellow catechists, those who attend daily Mass regularly or meet as a Small Christian or Small Church Community, an RCIA group or an adult faith formation group. 

We encourage you to share your faith with others. We include in these 5 sessions everything you need for exploring each Lenten Sunday’s Lectionary readings with a small group. 

When you are not able to gather together in person, you may want to consider using Zoom, Facebook or Email for weekly sharing.

Download 5 Wks w God's word_Lent_2021_F

Mark's Gospel: A Practical Guide

For Word of God Sunday (January 24, 2021)  eCatechist.com is pleased to offer a free PDF (45 pages) download:

Mark’s Gospel

The Beginning of the Good News & the New Way of Salvation

A Practical Guide

by Steve Mueller, PhD

Download PG_Mark's Gospel 2

Please copy and share with others. Invite friends to subscribe to eCatechist.com and obtain further downloadable resources.

Word of God Sunday - January 24, 2021

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio "Aperuit illis", published on 30 September 2019, establishes that "the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God".

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Apostolic Letter

USCCB

National Bible Week

https://nationalbible.org/nationalbibleweek/

National Bible Week- We are celebrating our 76th National Bible Week the week of November 12-18 to honor God’s Word. The US Catholic Council of Bishops has designated this week also for all US Catholic churches to celebrate God’s Word.

Since 1941, starting with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, every US president has declared the week of Thanksgiving, National Bible Week. This, our 75th year, we again commemorate and honor God for giving us His Word.

National Bible Association, New York.

The Gospels and Christian Identity

The Gospels were created to help Christians understand their Christian identity and learn how to be a Christian in a world that was not particularly Christian. So as we read and the study the Gospels and let the power of God's Good News work on us, we will also be challenged and changed as we deepen our Christian identity and renew our commitment to Jesus and the community of his followers.

p. 3 So What's the Good News?