House notes/rules…
1. The notes/recaps from our meetings are posted on our Catholic Catacombs Light website https://catholiccatacombs.wixsite.com/website/blog, usually within a day.
2. See The Chosen. Knowing Jesus Christ means being able to better relate to God. Check it out: The Chosen at https://thechosen.link/1Y1R7.
3. Member relations. We have Protestants and former Protestants in our group and sometimes the smallest comments can come across as (unintentionally) negative. Please be mindful of this and speak respectfully at all times. We will not shy away from explaining our differences, but use care when asking questions/making observations – especially generalized statements (i.e., try using “non-Catholics”).
4. No politics. It would be very easy to blow up this group in 10 minutes by starting to talk about – or infer – political positions. That’s why we don’t do it. The goal of this group is to learn the Bible and scriptural exegesis, grasp the logic and love of God, see how a faith relationship with the Trinity changes one’s worldview and life, and begin a path of spiritual wisdom through Christ partnership, which is other-centered rather than self-centered.
5. Questions encouraged. If you have questions about anything, you can email the group via Meetup, or me directly at ron@hallagan.net.
Bible Study Format
Week 1: Oct 5 – Gospel Readings: Jesus and Herod
Week 2: Oct 12 – Bible Narrative Exegesis from Genesis to Revelations: Finish Noah & the Ark, Tower of Babel (Chs.9, 11)
Week 3: Oct 19 – Topic of Choice – Jesus’ Great Parables: The Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
Week 4: Oct 26 – Open Mic – What are your faith obstacles, either in your personal or work life? Send other questions to Ron.
Bible Topics Survey Results 1. Jesus’ Greatest Parables 2. Hell, Purgatory, Heaven 3. Christian Comparisons 4. Great Women in the Bible 5. Why is there suffering in the world 6. Compare World Religions 7. Revelations
Tonight
10 Min Exegesis of the Mass
Jesus and Herod
Opening Prayer 7:05-7:10
Lord, you promised that when two or three of us are gathered in your name, you are there,
Well, we are here – multiples of 2 or 3, asking your blessings to be poured out
upon those for whom we have asked for your help tonight...
SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR (intentions)
Lord, you know their greatest needs.
Bless all of us here tonight – our family, friends, coworkers – and bless our relationship with you.
Get rid of this virus and the hate that is in the world.
Lord, you faced Pilate and Herod on that fateful night. Please help us understand what that was like
and grow us spiritually through studying Your story and Your Word.
And, as we pray at the start of each Mass, we repeat together:
The Confiteor I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do –
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.
Therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
The Jewish faith was the faith of Jesus and so Jewish history is our history. It is useful to see the religious holidays religious Jews celebrate.
Nov 28-Dec 6: Hanukah (from the book of Maccabees)
10 Minute Journeys through the Mass, “The Source and Summit of Christian Life” – CCC #1324-27 9:10-9:20
1) The Sign of the Cross – we invite the Holy Trinity into ourselves and into our gathered community.
2) The Lord Be With You, And With Your Spirit – Jesus and the Holy Spirit are specifically interacting in the Mass, especially to bring the presence (incarnation) of Jesus into the Eucharist so we can receive Him personally.
3) Confiteor – in our preparation for our encounter with God, we confess our sins to Him and to each other.
The Confiteor (continued)
Last week, we started discussing the four areas in which we can fall into sin:
(1) in my thoughts, (2) in my words, (3) in what I have done, and (4) in what I have failed to do.
We discussed how the one most commonly thought of as sin is – in what we have done – because our “actions” are the most obvious of our offenses. In this category, the Ten Commandments are often used if one wishes to examine their conscience.
We then discussed how – in my thoughts – is the root of all the others; and that controlling one’s thoughts is the greatest power a human being has; and, conversely, that unmanaged thoughts are so dangerous they can destroy relationships totally unnecessarily.
We discussed how the “Demons of Discord” take control of your thoughts (if you let them), leading to uncontrolled anger, jealousy, etc., and that the fastest way to stop them is to picture the subject of a short prayer while you say the prayer (and repeat, if needed). Remember:
Today we will cover #2 - in my words, and #4 - in what I have failed to do. In my words: The letter of James warns us that the tongue is a fire. The spoken word can be used to bless and to curse, and when it is used for evil it causes great turmoil. “How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!” (Jas 3:5). The Bible mentions many ways our speech can be used for harm. For example, gossip (2 Cor 12:20; 1 Tm 5:13; Rom 1:29), slander (Rom 1:30; 1 Tm 3:11), insult (Mt 5:22), lying (Col 3:9; Wis 1:11; Sir 7:12-13) and boasting (Ps 5:5; 75:4; 1 Cor 5:6; Jas 4:16). The Confiteor is our opportunity to confess these sins of speech.
In what I have failed to do: This is the most challenging part, but it is here where we can change both ourselves and the world. “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (Jas 4:17). We were made in the image and likeness of God. In the Fall, we retained God’s image in our souls – that’s why we know and desire perfect justice, perfect love, perfect everything – but we lose His likeness by our choices. Our journey back to God is all about regaining God’s likeness, and those opportunities lie in this category of choosing to step outside what’s convenient and helping (loving) others. When we change ourselves, we change the world because we are part of the world.
Herod and Jesus
Q: What do we know about Herod Antipas?
Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee from 1BC – AD39, roughly paralleling the life and public ministry of Jesus. He had married his niece which upset most Jews, and ended up beheading John the Baptist for criticizing him.
Q: What tribal ancestral line the Messiah was prophesied to come from?
King David, line of Judah
Q: Was Herod from the line of King David?
No, he was an Edomite, which was actually descendent of Esau (Isaac’s brother).
Q: What would be a good reason for us to review the interactions between Jesus Christ and Herod Antipas?
Perfect representatives of the 6th and 7th Day
Both are Kings – in fact, in the same place and time.
King Herod in this world. False King, Edomite line.
Jesus – kingly lineage of King David, as the Messiah is prophesied.
However … Pilate – “So, are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus – “My kingdom is not of this world.” (Jn18:33-36)
Q: Speaking of the Confiteor, how many ways could the Herod be violating his thoughts, words, acts, and failure to act?
Words – oath: dance for me (Salome) and I will give you anything you ask. Actions – his oath resulted in the head of John
Thoughts – what does this Jesus have that I want? Failure to Act – failed to save John or Jesus, failed to help anyone but himself.
Q: How many times do Herod Antipas and Jesus “interact” in Scripture, physically or otherwise?
Three:
1) Herod heard of Jesus’ strange words and accomplishments and wanted to meet him. (Herod’s Opinion of Jesus)
2) Jesus is warned about Herod. (Jesus’ opinion of Herod)
3) Jesus meets Herod during his Passion/Good Friday.
Q: If you count Herod’s father, Herod the Great, how many more interactions involving Jesus and Herod was there?
Two more:
1) The Wise Men from the East come to Jerusalem in search of the Messiah in 4BC. Herod tries to manipulate them.
2) After the Wise Men return home by another way, Herod orders the murder of all infants under two in Bethlehem.
_________________
Herod’s Opinion of Jesus - Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead.”
Others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
Luke mentions in Ch.9 that Herod got word of all that Jesus was doing in his territory – his preaching and healings. His response was interesting. It says he was “perplexed” and wanted to see him.
Q: Was Herod worried that the rumors might be true about him being the Baptist or a prophet come back to life?
It appears he seriously doubted opinions that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life because he had John beheaded. But also because, to Herod, death was final. He held the same view of the afterlife as the Sadducees. For the same reason, he didn’t believe Jesus was Elijah or some other great prophet from the past. Instead, he was intrigued and curious, which is kind of how he viewed John the Baptist.
Q: Now that we’ve studied our main characters a bit, how do you think this encounter would go? Do you think Herod would be interested in anything besides seeing a few of magic tricks (miracles)? Would Jesus even comply? Do you think there is any likelihood that Herod would be interested in Jesus’ message of love, sacrifice, or the value of the realm of the Spirit or word of God?
It seems as though Jesus’ visit to Herod would be a waste of time, except to perhaps confirm what we already know. Herod represents narcissism and the total trappings of this world. He epitomizes being trapped in the 6th Day. For Herod, the 7th Day is for fools.
Q: How is this so different from our world today?
Can we not say that the 6th Day beckons to us all? Is there not an occasional streak of meanness in us that hurts and offends? Can we kill another’s spirit with a few words? Do we readily place blame elsewhere? Do we put the trappings of this world ahead of doing good, or ahead of being honest? All of these failings can be transformed by/in Christ, which is the entire reason for his Word and Eucharist on Sunday.
Jesus’ Opinion of Herod - Luke 9:7-9
En route from Galilee to Jerusalem, some Pharisees warn Jesus:
“Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will accomplish my goal.’ Nevertheless, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem. - Luke 13:31-33
Q: What does Jesus mean by fox?
Machiavellian. Someone who takes great pride in manipulating others for personal gain.
Jesus and Herod meet
Context: After the Last Supper, Jesus is arrested and illegally tried by the Sanhedrin at the Caiaphas’ residence.
Q: Why was the trial illegal?
Jewish custom was to try the accused during the day in public. The Sanhedrin knew that the public was in Jesus’ camp, not theirs; do arresting Jesus in the dead of night and trying him in the privacy of the home of the chief priest was the only way they could get a conviction. As we know, they also blindfolded Jesus, mocked him, and beat him (Lk 22:63-64).
At daybreak, they led Jesus to Pilate, for only the Romans could authorize an execution. After questioning, Pilate says he can find no wrong with him, but then he finds out Jesus is Galilean. It happened that Herod Antipas, who was in charge of the Galilee, was in Jerusalem for the Passover; so Pilate sent Jesus to Herod.
Herod meets Jesus – Luke 23:7-11
And learning that Jesus was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself was in Jerusalem at that time.
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He had wanted to see Him for a long time, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see Him perform a miracle.
And He kept questioning Him in many words, but Jesus gave him no answer.
Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.
Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.
Q: We can hardly help asking ourselves what questions Herod must have asked. Any speculations?
Did Jesus really claim to be a King?
Did He proclaim to be the Messiah?
Was He John the Baptist, raised from the dead?
Was he Moses or Elijah come back?
Can you do a miracle for me? Not one?
Why don’t you answer me? I can help you!
Perhaps Jesus’ unbroken silence was strangely impressive. We can contrast that with how he had answered Caiaphas, or when he had spoken to Pilate in the tones of a sad gentleness (John 19:33-37). To Herod alone, the incestuous adulterer, the murderer of the Forerunner (John), Jesus does not utter a single syllable. I am reminded of Matt 7:6, “Do not throw pearls to pigs.”
Closing Prayer
Lord, bless the world which always seems to be falling apart.
Help us stop the hatred and heal us.
In the face of the appearance of Good losing, we pray thee
Double down on Your blessings to everyone in positions of authority throughout the world
So that Your light of servant leadership shines brightly in their hearts.
Also bless our adversaries, Lord, so they, too, may see your light.
And as for the unfolding of a seemingly fearful future, we ourselves will proceed with Your equanimity
And the joy of knowing that Your love and goodness have already won –
And that We might also be a beacon to other boats.
Wisdom Prayer
O Divine Wisdom and eternal Word of the Father,
I humbly ask you, by your grace,
To purge all harmful and unprofitable words from my mind and lips,
So that my mouth may never open but to the benefit of others,
And to your praise and honor. Amen.
– and Taylor’s closing devotion –
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