02.24.26 - Lent Cont’d | Purgatory | Transfiguration |
- tmaley
- 7 hours ago
- 16 min read
Northern Virginia Catholic Bible Study & Apologetics 2/24/26
Every Tuesday, 7PM-8PM. This meeting is a lecture/Q&A format. It is free.
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Zoom information for Tuesday nights: Zoom ID: 861 1782 2081 Password: 406952.
All class notes-recaps are posted on our Catholic Catacombs Website: www.CatholicCatacombs.org
House Rules and Resources…
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!
Questions. We encourage questions although we ask that you keep them on topic and brief. You can ask during the meeting, or in the chat box, or if you prefer you can email us through Meetup.com, or Ron directly: ron@hallagan.net.
Respectfulness. We will be discussing differences between Christian denominations and religions in general, and we seek to be respectful at all times. Protestants especially are our friends and brothers/sisters-in-Christ; in fact, I owe much of my return to Christianity to them. Therefore, any critique of our brethren is in loving pursuit of apostolic truth.
No politics. It would be easy for us to self-destruct, but that’s not our goal :). Our goal is to learn, understand, and apply the Bible and our Catholic faith to our everyday lives.
Dynamic Catholic. Interested in receiving daily inspirations to grow closer to God and the Catholic Church, not to speak of the many educational resources? Visit and sign up for Matthew Kelly’s powerful insights, quotes, and reflections at www.dynamiccatholic.com.
Word on Fire. Bishop Robert Barron has reached millions through his 10 min Sunday homilies, podcasts, educational series and certifications, bibles, and other lectures and apologetics. www.wordonfire.org
“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 series captures Jesus better than any show I have ever seen. Highly recommended.
Cursillo. Interested in meeting weekly over coffee to discuss how God is involved in your personal and professional life? Join Cursillo (cur-see-yo). Initiation involves a 3-day retreat at Mission Hurst in Arlington. For men’s groups, contact Ron (ron@hallagan.net) and Jennifer Pence (Jennifer.pence@gmail.com) for women’s groups.
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/.
Bible Study Format
Our Bible Study is a combination of Exegesis and Apologetics.
Study and interpretation of Scripture A reasoned defense of the faith
Each meeting is (roughly) as follows:
min Apologetic Reflection
min Upcoming Gospel Reading
30 min Weekly topic/theme
1 hour
Week 1: Gospel Week – we study several Gospel stories, especially the tough ones.
Week 2: Bible Week – we are working our way through the Bible. We are studying the Prophets.
Week 3: Questions and Survey Topics chosen by Members:
1. Explanation of the Mass and Eucharist 2. The Dead Sea Scrolls 3. Catholicism related to modern cosmology? 4. The 7 Gifts/Fruits of the HS & 7 Deadly Sins 5. Does doubting one’s faith mean we are failing God? 6. How do we experience the Love of God? 7. The Communion of Saints 8. Comparative Religions 9. Catholic vs Protestant beliefs
Week 4: Apologetics:
Gen 1-3 (Creation Story, Adam & Eve, the Fall of Man, The Meaning of the Trees)
Faith and Doubt
Deeper meanings of the Mass
Please RSVP to these classes, it boosts Catholic Bible Study visibility on MeetUp.
Taylor will send a link to everyone with today’s notes.
The class is recorded if you want to listen to it anytime.
I will ask for volunteer readers…
Opening Prayer:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
I thank you for my existence so that I could have a relationship with You.
Thank you for the opportunity to know you, to serve you, to learn from you, and grow closer to you.
You are everything to me, and all that I am and all that I have belongs to you.
Major holy days: Lent continues from Wednesday, Feb 18 through Good Saturday, April 4.
The Annunciation – March 25
Mass or Confession anywhere, anytime: www.masstimes.org
Today’s Agenda
Weekly Lenten Reflection
Follow up: Purgatory
Gospel reading for 2nd Sun in Lent (March 1), The Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-9
The Fall of Man Summary, Genesis 3 (next time)
Quote of the Week: Paul to the Corinthians on Confession (Reconciliation), 2 Corinthians 5:17,18…
Now all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 17
Paul not only points out the ministry of reconciliation that was handed onto them, but the reference to us becoming a “new creation” alludes to our sins being completely wiped out in the process.
What are the three Lenten antidotes to three temptations of our first parents and of Christ? Tay-pop-quiz
Fasting Lust of the flesh/physical self-gratifications
Almsgiving Desire of the eyes/material possessions
Prayer Pride/self-glorification
Why is “Prayer” the antidote to pride?
Prayer places God at the center of our being vs ourselves. Prayer demonstrates a dependance on God more than self.
When did the practice of Lent begin?
Tradition passed on to us says it was present in apostolic times. Our first written document about Lent dates to the First Council of Nicaea in 325.
Do all Christians participate in Lent?
All Catholics and most mainline Protestants (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist…) practice Lent. The evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal Christians do not formally observe Lent.
How long is Lent?
Lent is structured to follow Jesus’ forty days in the desert, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday (Last Supper). However, if you count on the calendar from Ash Wednesday to the Lord’s Supper, there are usually 46 days. But we do not practice Lent on Sundays because these are for celebrating the Lord’s Day (as Jesus said, the guests do not celebrate when the Bridegroom is with them (Mt 9:15, Mk 2:19, Luke 5:34), so 46 days minus 6 Sundays = 40. That’s nice and convenient, except that 2026 is unusual in that there are only 44 days from Ash Wednesday to the Lord’s Supper (April 2), so 44-6=38! Therefore, the Church says to add on two days, meaning we get to fast until Good Saturday (April 4) to get our FORTY.
What happens if we fall off our Lenten wagon on one or all of our commitments?
Same as we do anytime we fall down in life. We get back up again. It may help if you review your progress (or lack thereof) and make adjustments or recommit every Wednesday. The only disappointment is to give up entirely!
Proof that spiritual health improves physical health!
Confession – what if you haven’t gone in many years?
So what? That happened to me and when I told the priest I had lied (among other indiscretions), the priest asked me how many times. I said, “Gee, Father, it’s been so long – plus I don’t think I ever confessed all the times I lied as a teenager. I’m sure it’s over 10,000 times. The priest said, “Okay, your sins are forgiven, say 3 Our Fathers and 5 Hail Marys and no more lies, please.”
Follow-up
After our meeting the week before last, I saw some good comments in the chatbox that I didn’t have a chance to comment on, so I will respond to those over this week and next. The first had to do with Purgatory in the Bible and the second had to do with faith and grace being sufficient for salvation. Today, I will comment on Purgatory.
Purgatory is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.
First, this statement doesn’t mean a lot because there are many things that all Christians believe that are not found in the Bible. For example, the word “Trinity” is not in the Bible, yet all Christians believe in the Trinity. Nor are the words “Christmas” and “Easter” in the Bible, but we all believe these. Even the word “Bible” isn’t in the Bible. The same is true for Purgatory. For that matter, two very important Protestant beliefs – Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide – are also not in the Bible.
What we have instead of exact words are all the necessary descriptions and references for these concepts and ideas, which we then give names to later. Jesus spoke separately of the Father, the Son (him), and the Holy Ghost, but it wasn’t till the 5th century that Augustine popularized the name “Trinity.” That doesn’t mean we invented the Trinity in the 5th century, does it?
Regarding Purgatory, “praying for the dead” was common in Jewish history as well as the entire history of the Church. Now, here’s a thought exercise: We know that if only Heaven and Hell exist, there would be no point in praying for the dead since, if someone is in Heaven they wouldn't need our prayers, and if they are in Hell then our prayers wouldn’t do them any good. Prayers for the dead only make sense if there is some place in between, to help souls complete their journey to Heaven.
In the Book of Maccabees, which Jesus followed – he was in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Dedication in John 10:22, which is only found in the Book of Maccabees – Judas Maccabees and his men prayed for their dead on the battlefield. Then they took up a collection and sent it to Jerusalem for sacrifices to made on behalf of his men’s souls. Prayers for the dead is present throughout the early Church, in writings by Tertullian around 200 AD, and on the walls of the Catacombs during the 200 years of Roman persecution.
Purgatory, as the name suggests, is a place of “purification.” It is a place of final purification of human souls before entering Heaven. In Purgatory, we get to face all the sins we didn't reconcile on earth, see the damage our sins caused – including their ripple effects – experience deep regret, and receive forgiveness. When complete, our souls are “sanctified” and we enter Heaven.
It is critical to remember that Jesus taught us that our sins must be forgiven. This was so important that the first thing he did after his Resurrection on Easter Day was give these instructions to his disciples in the Upper Room:
“Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” – John 20:23
Because of this, Catholics have always taught about the need for ongoing forgiveness, although the goal of God’s forgiveness is not so much dwelling on our faults as it is discovering God’s love and the potential He has in store for us. That’s why receiving forgiveness is relatively easy, as the important outcome is developing humility and our relationship with God.
In spite of John 20:23, Protestants do not think one must seek forgiveness from another person. They consider it a personal matter that can be accomplished, for instance, when one recites the Lord’s Prayer. We agree with such personal forgiveness as often as possible, except for mortal sin. But personal mental repentance is often flawed and fleeting whereas it is in the sacrament that Jesus gives us the certainty of forgiveness and the graces that come through the Holy Spirit (John 20:23).
Now, that said, all Christians know we aren’t perfect when we die and also that our sins cannot enter into Heaven, for Heaven is God’s home where there is no sin. The Sacrament of Confession prepares our souls to enter Heaven but if we have any unrepented venial sins or unreconciled penance, then Purgatory will complete this for us. How do Protestants believe they can enter Heaven? Many of them believe that their sinfulness is “enveloped” by the merits of Christ so they can be taken into Heaven. In this case, human sinfulness somehow remains, just hidden. In Catholicism, sins are wiped clean.
Following are several Scriptural references that support Purgatory:
Matthew 12:32 (Jesus preaching…)
“Whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Jesus’ statement, "forgiven… in the age to come" tells us there is a place where forgiveness continues.
Matthew 5:25-26 (Jesus teaching his disciples to prepare for the afterlife by reconciling with others in this life).
"… go and be reconciled with your accuser while you are still together… or you may be handed over to the judge… and thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.”
The passage "not get out until you have paid the last penny" can only be Purgatory.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (Paul speaking about our individual judgment after this life):
"It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s works. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder may suffer loss but yet be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames."
“Suffer loss but yet be saved…” is a purgatorial reference. As for "escaping through flames," this not considered a physical punishment – note he said “as… through flames;” remember, we are talking about our spiritual souls. Fire in the Bible is often a metaphor applying to how gold is purified by fire to remove all its impurities (~sins). BTW, this interpretation of 1 Cor 3:11-15 was expounded on in the writings of St Augustine in his famous book, “City of God” (XXI.26) in 426 AD, which became standard catechesis throughout Christendom.
Luke 16:19-24 – The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man: Scott Hahn (former Protestant minister) suggests that the Rich Man is in Purgatory, not Hell, because he is still able to communicate with Abraham. That he shows concern for his brothers indicates that he is being “purified” of his selfishness.
2 Maccabees 12:41-46 (after a battle against the Greek Seleucids, the Jews praying for their dead, 164 BC):
“But under the tunic of the dead soldiers, they found amulets of the gods worshipped in Jamnia, which the Law forbids Jews to wear; and it became clear to all why these men had fallen. So they praised the ways of the LORD, the just judge who reveals all that is hidden, and taking themselves to prayers, they begged the Lord that their sin might be wholly blotted out… He also took up a collection from his troops and sent 2,000 silver coins to Jerusalem as payment for a sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead… Therefore, he made atonement for the dead, so that they may be delivered from their sin.”
Purgatory as depicted in Dante’s Divine Comedy, “Purgatorio.”
Those entering Purgatory had to clear the 7 levels on the left and leave with the 7 virtues on the right.
Conclusion:
Prayers for the dead were common practice in the OT and throughout the history of the Church;
Purgatory makes sense since we can’t take our sinfulness into Heaven; (The Church rejects “covering it up.”)
Purgatory also makes sense since so many us (millions/billions?) will need this help to get to Heaven; and
Purgatory is supported by Scripture.
Purgatory is yet another amazing gift from God. Because of it many more will reach Heaven that may not have otherwise.
The Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-9
Context
I mentioned last week that the Gospel reading for every first Sunday in Lent is “Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.” Every second Sunday in Lent is the reading of Jesus’ Transfiguration. In one sense, these readings take us from the lowest place on earth – where Jesus confronts Satan in the Judean desert near the Dead Sea – to a high mountain in Israel to witness his divinity. In a second sense, this is the same journey each of us takes, from our lowest, fallen state all the way up to the God the Father.
The name of the mountain in Israel is not provided in the Gospels. Traditionally, it was thought to be Mt. Tabor near Nazareth, but most scholars nowadays think it may have been Mt. Hermon. The reason for this is that Mt. Hermon was close to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus was teaching right before the Transfiguration.
This year, our reading of the Transfiguration is from Matthew 17. Mt.17 is about time Jesus was concluding his 3 ½ year ministry. Soon, he will be heading to Jerusalem for the last time.
In the chapter prior to the Transfiguration (Ch 16), Jesus informs his Apostles that he is going to be rejected by the Temple officials, suffer, die, and be raised on the third day. This was not expected as the Apostles were still hoping for an earthly Messiah and earthly messianic kingdom. So the anxiety of the Apostles felt was not only raised up because of what Jesus just told them, but it was only about to get worse once they entered Jerusalem.
Why didn’t Jesus’ words that “he will be raised on the third day” help to calm their fears?
The Jews already assumed souls rise from the dead. Some Jewish traditions believed that the soul lingered around the body for three days after death, after which bodies began to decompose. So Jesus saying he would be raised after three days was not totally strange to the Apostles.
Jesus knew their fears. That is why he takes his inner circle of disciples – Peter, James, and John – up the mountain to show them his divine glory and that there was a plan for the salvation/new exodus for humanity. Jesus was going to need to count on them to keep their brothers spirits up when things looked their bleakest in the days ahead.
Jesus only took three – Peter, James, and John – up the mountain. Any similarities to Exodus?
Moses also took three with him – Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu.
Furthermore, Nadab and Abihu were brothers, and so were James and John!
What other unique occasions were these three disciples alone with Jesus?
The raising of Jarus’ daughter and the Agony in the Garden.
The Transfiguration is a theophany. What is that? Taypop-Quiz
Theophany is Greek: theo=god + phaneia=appearance. It means to witness the appearance of God, which is what happens next.
In the Old Testament, theophanies typically occurred on mountains: Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac was on Mt. Moriah; God appearing to Moses on Mt. Sinai, God appearing to Elijah (also on Mt. Sinai); and God’s glory cloud entering Solomon’s Temple on Mt. Zion (Jerusalem). Peter, James, and John were now about to join this very notable group.
Matthew 17:1-9
After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tabernacles (tents) here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
What did Jesus talk about with Moses and Elijah? Tay-pop Quiz
Trick question – Matthew doesn’t say, but Luke does, and it’s important: “… and they spoke of the exodus he (Jesus) was going to accomplish in Jerusalem” – Luke 9:31.
What “exodus” was being planned in Jerusalem?
The “new exodus” was at hand. The old Exodus was freedom from slavery to the Egyptians. The new Exodus is freedom from slavery to sin, leading to eternal freedom after this life.
Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets (the “Old Testament”). What else did they have in common?
Both Moses and Elijah experienced theophanies on Mt. Sinai.
It says Peter, James, and John were not to tell anyone about their experience at that time. Did they ever tell anyone?
Yes, per Jesus’ instructions, they shared this after his resurrection. This was reported in Peter’s epistle:
For we … were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. – 2 Peter 1:16-18.
What was Peter talking about when he said, “Let us make three tents/tabernacles?”
Peter is so excited at what he is seeing he hardly knows what to say. His suggestion of erecting “booths” or “tents” suggests he thinks they have now arrived at the “end of the age.”
Why?
Tabernacles – also called tents or booths – were temporary dwelling places that people lived in during the 40 years of Exodus. Jews to this day celebrate the Feast of Booths (Feast of Tabernacles) for 7 days in the fall to memorialize their exodus from Egypt and in anticipation of the New Exodus in the New Age to come. Peter thought they were there!
The Tabernacle with the Ark of the Covenant in the Desert (the pre-Temple Temple)
Note all the tents around the temple area where the Israelites camped. They were called tents or booths also.
Recall that Jesus was giving these visions to them as a gift. It was much needed comfort due to the news he had given them about his coming passion and death in the days ahead, and so that they could strengthen their brothers when needed.
Peter’s suggestion about the booths for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah suggests that they are equals. Granted, Moses was considered the greatest and Elijah the greatest prophet, but Peter is mistaken. God then comes in a cloud and says,
“This is my Son, listen to him!”
The following passage is one of the Messianic prophesies in Daniel that seems to point to the Transfiguration, written around 440 BC:
Daniel 7:13-14
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
One like a Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before Him,
The one like a Son of Man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
All people, nations, and tongues will serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
What was the significance of the Jesus shining so brightly?
Whenever Moses came from meeting with God, his face radiated such that he had to start wearing a veil. But Moses’ exterior face glowed as a reflection of God’s glory, whereas Jesus’ glory and radiance came from within, because he was God.
What is the significance of God coming in the cloud?
God also came in a cloud to Mt. Sinai. The cloud (and fire) were the usual ways the Holy Spirit interacted with us in the Bible. The “shadow” cast by the cloud was the same word that is translated in the Annunciation to Mary when Gabriel says the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” her in order to conceive Jesus. That would be the second time the entire Trinity is present (the first being Jesus’ Baptism).
Today’s passage opened with:
After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
What meaning can we derive from “after six days?”
Recall that after the six days of creation, God rested (the “Sabbath”), and that Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, not God. This rest is necessary in this life to stay in relationship with God, but it also foreshadows our eternal rest in Heaven. We were invited into the 7th Day but we didn’t quite make it because of our Fall (we chose to go our own way). God promised we would be given another chance and, in fact, came here personally to take us by the hand and lead us back to Him. The Transfiguration is a taste of the 7th Day.
Alas, as much as Peter was hoping he had arrived in the New Age, they had to come back down the mountain afterwards. It wasn’t time yet; this was just a taste. The New Age hadn’t begun yet.
Closing Prayer
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