Northern Virginia Catholic Bible Study & Apologetics
Every Tuesday, 7PM-8PM. This meeting is a lecture/Q&A format. It is free.
Zoom Meetings: www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy
Catholic Catacombs Website: www.CatholicCatacombs.org
House rules/notes…
Our meeting/classes are In-Person the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month at St. John Neumann Catholic Church 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston, VA 20191 https://saintjn.org/ (held downstairs in Room 5), and ONLINE via Zoom (#2).
To sign up for Zoom notifications and to receive the Meeting Recaps, go to www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy and join us! The Zoom Logon is the same every week: Zoom ID: 861 1782 2081 Password: 406952.
After each meeting, I send out Meeting Recaps of what we discussed. Please remember these recaps are unedited and without the pictures. The edited version with pictures will be posted on our website before the next class at www.catholiccatacombs.org. Taylor will notify everyone at that time and provide a link.
Questions encouraged. If you have questions, we ask that you keep them on topic and brief. You can ask in the chat box during the class, or email through Meetup.com, or email me at ron@hallagan.net afterwards.
Respectfulness. We will be discussing differences between religions and between Christian denominations, and we agree to be respectful at all times. Protestants especially are our friends and brothers-in-Christ; in fact, I personally owe part of my return to the faith to them!
No politics. It would be easy for us to self-destruct, but that’s not our goal. Our goal is to learn/understand/apply the Bible and our Catholic faith.
Catholic Prayer & Fellowship. Are you interested in praying the rosary, etc. with other Catholics during the week? Follow fellow member Jason Goldberg at https://www.meetup.com/online-catholic-prayer-fellowship-and-spirituality/. Daily/weekly prayer is saintly!
“The Chosen” TV series. All of us seek a relationship with Jesus Christ, which is not always easy. It can help if we have seen and heard Him. The Chosen captures Jesus better than any show I have ever seen. Highly recommended.
RSVP Reminder: Please RSVP whether you are attending the meeting or just reading the Recaps afterwards. The more RSVPs, the more Meetup will give exposure to “Catholic Bible Study” – a good thing!
Our Bible Study is a combination of Exegesis and Apologetics.
Study and interpretation of Scripture A reasoned defense of the faith
Format: Each week of the month has a repeating theme, as noted below.
Wk 1: Gospel Week – we study several Gospel stories, especially the tough ones.
Wk 2: Bible Week – we are working our way through the Bible. We are in The Book of 2 Kings.
Wk 3: Survey Topics Voted on by Members:
x 1) Great Women in the Bible 2) Book of Revelation 3) Fathers, Heresies, and Church Councils
Wk 4: Member Questions/Apologetics:
21% Explain what happens to animals after they die. Will we see our pets?
14% Was Emperor Constantine good or bad? Was he a Christian? How was the Church affected?
Please explain Limbo.
Could you review of Plenary and Partial Indulgences again?
Each meeting is (roughly) as follows:
15 min Catholic topic/catechesis
15 min Upcoming Gospel reading
30 min Weekly topic/theme
1 hour
Reader for the day… (if needed, Taylor will select)
Upcoming major holy days: All Saints Day, Nov 1
What is the meaning of holy?
The Bible defines God as holy, meaning that He is perfect in every way, unstained by sin, and set apart from everything else. The Hebrew word for "holy" literally means "separate" or "set apart."Living a holy life for humans means living a life that reflects God's holiness - called God's glory - which can be achieved by emulating Christ.The emphasis on "set apart" applies to anything we set apart for higher purposes, including our own lives.
Opening Prayer: Holy Spirit Prayer of St. Augustine
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.
And as your Son taught us to pray:
Our Father
Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily Bread;
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Quote of the Week: “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path.” – Psalm 119:105
See what Bible Study does for you?
TODAY:
Follow up on last week
What is Grace?
The Seven Sacraments
What is the Body of Christ?
Some great questions followed last week’s class, and so…
Last week, I said the Church teaches that there are no new revelations of faith after Jesus. Jesus Christ IS God’s revelation. He is the way, the truth, and the life: God incarnated as man and crucified for the salvation of man.
I was asked about private revelations, appearances, and visions of Mary, angels, etc.
I responded that these “revelations” are not “new” revelations of faith, which is what the Gnostics, Mormons, Islam, and Jehovah Witnesses attempted to introduce years later. Not Christianity. That said, appearances and visions can have great value as they do assist us with our faith and help us deepen our understanding of our faith.
On the topic of all religions seeking God, I also said God breathed His spirit into all humans so that all people end up seeking Him like a homing device – a spiritual predisposition – to seek truth, meaning, purpose, justice, to never die, etc. These are like God’s calling cards. Consequently, the Church teaches there is some truth to be found in most religions, it just isn’t the fullness of truth. All the heresies in history take some Christian truth and then add their own beliefs to it. The kernels of truth are still there – in fact, those are usually the hook that gets people attention and interest – but then it runs off in another direction.
I described that most religions do the same – they are all seeking truth, meaning, etc., all climb the ‘Mountain of God,’ so to speak, in pursuit of the meaning of existence, of our origin and destiny. But man can only get so far up the mountain on his own, because the top of this mountain is God who is spiritual and infinite; we are not. The only way we can finish climbing this mountain is if God comes down the mountain and reveals Himself to us. Fortunately, He did exactly this in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of all truth, purpose, meaning, justice, and eternal life.
Mountain of God
The Seven Sacraments
Can you name them?
Baptism Eucharist Confirmation Reconciliation Marriage Anointing Sick Holy Orders
What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is when Heaven and Earth touch 🡪 Spiritual meets Physical 🡪 God touches Man and gives us grace.
Official definition: A sacrament is a physical sign, instituted by Christ, that gives humans grace.
What “Sacramental Act” preceded the seven sacraments and serves as a model for them all?
The Incarnation: The 2nd Person of the Trinity/Logos (spiritual) becomes Jesus Christ (physical) to bring us sanctifying grace and every other grace.
What is the greatest of the 7 Sacraments:
The Eucharist, which is the Incarnation of the risen Christ into the Bread and Wine, initiated at the Last Supper. As Jesus’ sacrifice and our participation in the sacrificial meal (fulfilling the first Passover sacrificial meal in Egypt), the Eucharist makes all the other sacraments possible.
What is GRACE?
Grace is a gift freely given by God to us; it is a supernatural power that helps transform us. Although God offers us this grace freely, it is for us to accept it and cooperate with it. This demands not a passive or mechanistic understanding but a willing and active participation in order for the sacraments to shed new light on our human experience.
How many kinds of grace are there?
There are several kinds of grace recognized in Catholic theology, primarily categorized into three main types: Sanctifying Grace, Actual Grace, and Sacramental Grace.
Sanctifying Grace: This is the grace that was lost in the Fall of Man and is regained in our Baptism as a result of Jesus Christ. It is required to enter Heaven, which is why the good people from the Old Testament were prevented from entering until Jesus died on the cross. Sanctifying Grace is described as a stable and supernatural disposition that works towards perfecting the soul, enabling us to live in communion with God and act according to His love. It is referred to as “habitual grace” since it remains with the individual as long as they do not enter a state of mortal sin (CCC 2000). The process by which we increase our holiness and relationship with God is called “sanctification.” How do we go about increasing our sanctification, our readiness to meet God and enter Heaven? The next three…
Sacramental Grace: This powerful grace is specific to the sacraments and is given by Christ through our reception of each sacrament. It aids the faithful in their journey of sanctification/holiness and supports the Church’s effort to expand God’s Kingdom on earth.
Actual Grace: This type of grace is temporary and situational. It is help from God that assists us in performing specific, salutary acts. It is granted at particular moments when needed, and it does not remain permanently in the soul.
Personal grace falls in between these. It is received from our prayers (both communal and individual) and service to others, and it contributes to our sanctification. Personal grace is a more individualized grace.
Sacramental Grace - The Church describes the 7 sacraments as ‘sacraments of faith’ where we encounter the Lord and receive grace. In this personal meeting, faith is presupposed and necessary for the effectiveness of the sacrament. The grace we receive enables us to express God’s love and live the life that Christ reveals to us through the Spirit, especially as it relates to each sacrament:
The sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist – graces of belonging and acceptance, commitment, courage, thanksgiving, and community.
The sacraments of healing – Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick – graces for forgiveness and interior strength.
The sacraments of vocation – Marriage and Holy Orders – graces affirming our call to fidelity and service.
Baptism – we covered this a month ago… recap.
John the Baptist, with “Baptism” in his very name, paves the way for Jesus by calling everyone to repentance. Then Jesus sets us the example personally by being baptized by John. The entire Trinity is present, confirming his familial relationship to the Trinity. Matthew 3:2 and 3:13-17
After the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus, he is sent into the desert to overcome the devil, and then sent into the world to spread the Good News that Heaven was open for business. (John 3:22)
Jesus was showing us the path to walk by walking that path himself. Baptism incorporates us into the baptism of Jesus and the family of the Trinity; then we are to use this grace to confront Satan and tell him where to go; and then, we are sent out to live our lives like Christ in faith, love, charity, and forgiveness. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” – John 14:6
The Great Commission. At Jesus’ Ascension, he instructs his disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…” – Mat 28:19
The Sacrament of…
Penance Reconciliation Confession Forgiveness
My first experience with Confession.
What is the Sacrament of the Penance?
The Sacrament of Penance, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Confession, or Forgiveness, is a sacrament instituted by Christ in the Upper Room on Easter Sunday for the forgiveness of sins committed after baptism. It involves three essential actions by the penitent (us): repentance, confession of sins to a priest, and the intention to make reparation. The priest, acting in the person of Christ, grants absolution, which restores us to God's grace and reconciles us with the Church (the Body of Christ). It is required for mortal sins, not venial, but it is highly recommended for both.
What does the word penance mean?
Penance derives from the same root word that we get the word “repent” from, which comes from the Latin penitire – to regret, make sorry – except that it is stronger. It means to regret something so deeply as to change one’s mind and course of conduct. This is why you often will hear that repent means “to turn around” – to turn from our old ways and toward a life of good/God. That is what Jesus meant when he said, “Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand.” – Mt 4:17. We are called to continually face our mistakes and faults so we can become more like Christ as we head towards Heaven.
What are mortal and venial sins?
Mortal sin involves knowingly committing a serious evil (mortal = subject to death). The Ten Commandments are a good guide. Mortal sins break our relationship with God similar to the Fall of Man, and therefore requires the Sacrament of Penance to restore our relationship with God and re-enter the Body of Christ. If we have mortal sins, we must receive this sacrament to enter Heaven.
Venial sins are smaller sins that can be forgiven between you and God; however, one should make sure to follow the same process: articulate the sin, accept fault, desire to change and make amends when reasonable, and request forgiveness.
The frequent participation in the Sacrament of Penance is recommended regardless of the severity of sins since it not only officially erases our sins but transmits sacramental graces to us.
What is the scriptural basis for the Sacrament of Penance?
Jesus forgives sins throughout the Gospels. The culmination of his Incarnation and 3½ year ministry of love was dying on the cross to pay for our sins so that humans could receive forgiveness free-for-the-asking. Nevertheless, Jesus forces forgiveness on no one. We still have free will, and we still continue to sin. God wants us to develop the humility and desire to ask for forgiveness and change our ways.
The question becomes: how would Jesus spread the gift of forgiveness to the whole world once he was gone? As the Jews themselves said, only God can forgive sins. Jesus’ incredible answer comes in his first act after his resurrection:
On Easter Sunday, after his Resurrection, Jesus go through the doors of the Upper Room, breathes on the Apostles and gives them the authority to forgive sins, saying, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” – John 20:21-23. Note that the Apostles cannot read minds so in order for them to exercise this authority, people must come to them and confess their sins. This is the beginning of the Sacrament of Penance.
Conclusion: Jesus wants to forgive sins so much that he empowered the Apostles and their successors to give it freely to all those who seek it all over the world. The Church now has 400,000 priests in the world doing this every day.
Did the Apostles (and subsequently priests) possess the personal power over the forgiveness of sins?
No, the power comes from Christ through the Holy Spirit. The priests are representing Christ. Christ is doing the forgiving through the priests (CCC 307).
Today we covered Grace, Baptism, and Reconciliation (Mortal/Venial Sin).
Next time: Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders
What is the “Body of Christ” Paul refers to in 1 Cor 12:27?
It is all of us. Also called the Church and the “Communion of Saints,” it includes all Christians on earth and in Heaven (and Purgatory), with Jesus as its head. Paul calls us “one body” to emphasize how we all work together in Christ to help each other in bringing about the Kingdom of God.
What is one of the easiest ways of praying with the entire Body of Christ?
The Hail Mary. The beginning involves Angel Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary re: Incarnation of Jesus, the second involves the St. Elizabeth, pregnant with St. John the Baptist, and the third involves all of us praying for Mary’s prayerful intercession to her Son on behalf of all sinners (all mankind).
Closing Prayer:
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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