Posted on 11/30/2013 8:18:51 PM PST by Salvation
Matthew, chapter 1
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CHAPTER 1
The Genealogy of Jesus.* 1a The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.*
2b Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.c 3Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar.d Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4e Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5f Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, 6g Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. 7* h Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. 8Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. 9Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. 10Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos,* Amos the father of Josiah. 11Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile.
12i After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, 15Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah.
17Thus the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen generations; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.*
SING we a song of high revolt;
Make great the Lord, God's name exalt:
Sing we the words of Mary's song
Of God at war with human wrong.
Sing we of God who deeply cares
And still with us our burden shares;
God, who with strength the proud disowns,
Brings down the mighty from their thrones.
By God the poor are lifted up;
God satisfies with bread and cup
The hungry folk of many lands:
The rich are left with empty hands.
God calls us to revolt and fight,
To seek for what is just and right.
To sing and live Magnificat
To ease all people's sorry lot.
—Fred Kaan
St. John the Evangelist was not present in Bethlehem, nor does his Gospel contain any Nativity narrative. But his record does reveal how the Gospels were compiled:
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."
--John 14:25-26
The Canticle of Mary.
46v And Mary said:*
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;w
47my spirit rejoices in God my savior.x
48For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.y
49The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.z
50His mercy is from age to age
to those who fear him.a
51He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.b
52He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.c
53The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.d
54He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,e
55according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”f
This is what Catholics (and others) call Holy Tradition. The stories being passed down person to person.
Questions for Day 6
16. Why is Zechariah’s canticle called a prophecy (1:67)?
17. Zechariah’s canticle is filled with remembering God’s promises (1:67-79). How can memory enhance one’s prayer life?
18. Write your own canticle of praise for god’s work in your life.
Precisely: The Tradition is Holy because it generates from the Holy Spirit.
Advent Series Luke 2
Luke, chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
1* In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus* that the whole world should be enrolled. 2This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. 4And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,a 5to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.b 6While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn son.* She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.c
8* Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. 9The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.d 10The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11* e For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14* “Glory to God in the highestf
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. 17When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. 18All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. 19And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 20Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus.
21When eight days were completed for his circumcision,* he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.g
The Presentation in the Temple.
22* When the days were completed for their purification* according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,h 23just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”i 24and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,* and the holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. 27He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, 28he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
29“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
30for my eyes have seen your salvation,j
31which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,
32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”k
33The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 34and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradictedl 35(and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
Questions for Day 1 of Luke 2
1a. How will the empire of Caesar Augustus eventually be affected by the events in Nazareth and Bethlehem (2:1-7)? See 3:1-3; Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
1b. How or when have seemingly insignificant religious events had major effects on the world in our times?
2. Physical journeys often symbolize spiritual journeys. (2:4). (See 9:51; Gen 12:1-9; 46:1-7; Exod 13:17-22; Matt 10:5-10; Acts:13-15.) When has a journey taught you a spiritual lesson?
3. What is the significance of identifying Jesus as Mary’s “first-born son” (2:7)? See Exod 13:15; Num 2:13; Deut 21:15-27.)
my question....unless all the stories of the birth of Jesus, the angelic choirs, the wise men, we three kings, the later circumcision of Jesus, his separation from His parents when He was preaching etc. etc. unless all these stories were passed on to the evangalists by either Mary or Joseph, how did they know that they happened....none of them were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born....how did they come to know that He was born in a stable????
No one knows for sure, but there are hints as to what may have happened.
John 19:27 states that the disciple whom Jesus loved took Mary into his home. We also know from Acts 2 that all who believed devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life and that every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area. It is conceivable that Mary and John as well as Matthew and Luke were part of that group and that Mary would have shared with them the events that occurred regarding the conception and birth of Jesus.
Questions for Day 2 on Luke 2
4a. How is the peace announced by the angel (2:14) different from the peace given by Caesar Augustus? (See Jer 33:6; John 14:27; Phil 4:4-7.)
4b. In what practical ways can you be a model of God’s peace in the world today?
5. Why do you suppose God chooses the lowly and unlikely to hear the good news (2:8-20)? (See 7:20-23; Pss9:19; 113:5-8; Zeph 2:12-13; 1 Cor 1:25-27.)
6. Is your response to the gospel message more like that of the shepherds (2:15-16). those they told (2:18) or Mary 2:19)?
Questions for Day 3 on Luke 2
7a. What spiritual qualities allow both Simeon and Anna to recognize Jesus as the Messiah (2:25-32, 36-38)?
7b. How do you cultivate such qualities in your own life.?
8. Why does Luke’s infancy account include mention of the Gentiles (2:232)? See 21:24; Acts 1:7-8; 9-15.)
9. How do you suppose Mary and Joseph felt about Simeon’s words on the day of their son’s dedication in the Temple 2:34-35)? (See Isa 42:1-4; 61:1-3;John 19:25-27.)
39When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.n 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.o
The Boy Jesus in the Temple.*
41Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,p 42and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. 43After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, 47and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” 49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”* 50But they did not understand what he said to them. 51He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.q 52And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.
Questions for Day 4
10. When have you had a “Simeon” or “Anna” confirm God’s work in your life (2:25-38)? How did that make you feel?
11. How would you describe the wisdom of Jesus (2:40)? (See Matt 13:54; 1 Cor 1:22-24.) Give an example from his life or teaching.
12. What influeneces have helped you to grow strong and wise (2:40)? See Prov 4:5-9; Eccl 7:11-12; 1 Cor 12:8; Eph 1:17; 3:14-19; 2 Tim 4:17; Jas 3:17.)
Questions for Day 5 on Luke 2
13. What elements of the story of Jesus in the Temple (2:19-28) anticipate the final events of Jesus’s life? (See 19:28; 21:37-38; 33:7; 66-71; 44-49.)
14. Jesus apparently had greater understanding than Joseph and Mary, yet he remanded obedient to them (2:46-51) Why?
15. When has an event in your family given you new insight about a child or parent or sibling (2:51)
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14. Jesus apparently had greater understanding than Joseph and Mary, yet he remanded obedient to them (2:46-51) Why?
Because it was the will of the Father.
Questions for Day 6 of Luke 2
16. How would you describe the tone or mood of the infany narrative in Matthew? In Luke?
17. 17a. Complete the following sentences:
When I tell the Christmas story, from now on I’ll emphasize ________________________________________.
17b. The greatest personal lesson I learned during this study is ______________________________________.
18. I am most amazed that God would ____________________________________________.
Jesus’ Infancy through the Eyes of Benedict XVI | Dr. Matthew J. Ramage, Ph.D. | HPR
As Benedict’s entire Jesus of Nazareth trilogy masterfully illustrates, the answer lies in carefully balanced exegesis that takes the historicity of the Gospels seriously, while also attending to the particularities of their unique literary form.
It is time to stop and pay close attention when the theologian you are reading starts talking about his “method.” In the final volume of his Jesus of Nazareth series of books, released a year ago this Advent, Benedict XVI painted a beautiful portrait of Jesus’ early life, but he began it with a discourse concerning method.
As we prepare for the season of Advent, it is worth following Benedict’s advice to step back for a moment before we delve into our meditation upon the events surrounding Jesus’ birth: “Before we consider the content of the texts,” the emeritus pontiff says, “a brief word about their particular literary character is necessary.”
That the Gospels have a “particular literary character” is something that many Catholics find hard to appreciate. People in the pews are generally aware that the Gospels are not transcripts of Christ’s life such as we would possess if video cameras had existed 2000 years ago. The faithful also have the sense that the Gospels are more than mere legends or myths. But how is the average person supposed to determine what historical claims are actually being made in the Gospels? And on what grounds are they to base their trust in the Gospels as histories of Jesus’ life?
In his characteristically sober, forthright manner, Benedict ties these questions together: “Finally, we must ask in all seriousness: when the evangelists Matthew and Luke tell us, in their different ways, and following different traditions, about Jesus’ conception from the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, is this a historical reality, a real historical event, or is it a pious legend?” We discover a clue to answering this challenge right at the outset of Benedict’s reflection on the Annunciation. He tells us that attempts have been made to see in the Gospel a sort of haggadic midrash. With this interpretative method, the ancient rabbis had sought to explain difficult portions of pre-existing biblical stories by crafting new narratives based on them. In doing so, a rabbi might condense a biblical text, expand it, fill in gaps, or clarify potentially misleading verses.
One of my favorite examples of this, outside the Bible itself, is found in the Book of Jubilees.
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