06.11.24 Bible Timeline Tuesday

tmaley
Jun 18, 2024
15 min read

House rules/notes…

1. Our meeting/classes are In-Person at St. John Neumann Catholic Church 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston, VA 20191 https://saintjn.org/ (usually held downstairs in Room 5), or ONLINE via Zoom (see #2).

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.

3. 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 before the next class on the Website – www.CatholicCatacombs.org. Taylor will notify everyone at that time and provide a link.

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. “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.

9. 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!

Bible Study Format: Each week of the month has a repeating topic, as noted below.

Each meeting: 5 min greet/prayer, 10 min Apologetics, 15 min Gospel, 30 min main topic.

Week 1: Gospel Week

Week 2: Bible Week (Gen to Rev): We are in the book of 2nd SAMUEL.

Week 3: Survey Topics Voted on by Members:

x 1) Great Women in the Bible 2) Book of Revelation 3) Fathers, Heresies, Church Councils 4) Modern Miracles

Week 4: Member Questions:

1. What is “conscience?” To answer this we must also define our soul, free will, and our passions, and how these relate to each other.

2. How do I live my Christian faith at work when my faith is not accepted there?

3. What should our response be to those who ask us about priestly sex abuse?

4. What about the atheist who leads a good life? Can I be a person be good apart from God?

5. Miracles since the NT

6. Was King David good or bad? Was Emperor Constantine good or bad? Was he a Christian? What is a prophet?

7. Why does God allow suffering?

8. What is Tradition? Is Tradition equal to Scripture in importance? (2Thes2:15)

Opening Prayer:

O LORD

We ask you to bless everyone who has come here tonight as we immerse ourselves in the study of your Word.

Give us the light of your wisdom and we celebrate your Holy Spirit and early life of your servant, King David.

May your blessings extend beyond this night into our lives and to our families and friends.

And as you taught us to pray together:

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.

Today

1. The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 7

2. Reading for next Sunday (6/16), Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Mattthew 5:33-37

3. Bible Timeline: 2 Samuel, King David

Upcoming major holy days in the Liturgy of the Church

June 7 – Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

August 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Quote of the Week:

If you think of this world as a place simply intended for our happiness, you will find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place for training and correction and it’s not so bad. – C.S.Lewis

Apologetics and Exegesis

Exegesis is the study and interpretation of the Word of God (Scripture). It is what we do every week. You are all exegetes.

Catholic Apologetics– apologetics means to defend a belief, so Catholic Apologetics is the art of defending the Catholic faith using reason, tradition, and Scripture.

Apologetics of the Week: The Lord’s Prayer

“Who art in Heaven”: Heaven isn’t a physical place at this time but rather a state of existence. It exists in us as well. Think of a color-blind person who can’t see colors, but colors exist all around him. Heaven exists in a similar way except it is faint because we are only partially connected. Baptism makes it more present, and our journey with God in this life – our Christ-like participation in the Body of Christ – makes it more and more present. When we finally fully arrive, it will become so present we will walk and breathe it, without the hardships, heartaches, and temptations of this life.

The CCC (2794-2802) states that Heaven is our home, not earth. That’s because our immortal souls – which ultimately contain who we are – originate in God. That makes Heaven our origin, our destination, and our home.

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – June 7

Q: On June 7, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What is the meaning behind this?

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most widely practiced Catholic devotions, wherein the heart of Jesus Christ is viewed as a symbol of “God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind.” Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus dates back to the time of the Apostles and was developed further in the 17th century after a vision/visit by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary.

· The heart is the symbol of love and the center of feeling and emotion, and it represents Jesus’ deep love and affection for us. It is most often depicted in red, the color of blood, which Jesus poured out for us.

· The crown around the heart represents the crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head but also the stings caused by our sins.

· The wound in the heart recalls when the soldier thrust his lance into Jesus’ side. The lance not only cut through Jesus’ rib cage but also his heart, fulfilling an ancient prophecy: “They shall look on him whom they have pierced” (Zech 12:10).

· The droplets of blood represent the new Covenant of Blood that Jesus made with us at the Last Supper.

· The flames represent the passion of Jesus laying down his life for humanity as well as the rotating, burning sword blocking Paradise after the Fall (Gen 3:24), which Jesus’s death removed.

· The rays of light represent Jesus as the light of the world (John 1:4-5).

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Q: What does “Ordinary Time” mean?

“Ordinary” in this case does not mean plain/common. It comes from the Latin ordo, meaning arrangement, or order (the order of events). The readings at this time of the year are in the “order of events” in the life of Christ.

Context for the Gospel Reading for the 11th Sunday:

Once again, Mark packs three messages in today’s passage: two parables about the Kingdom and some comments on Jesus’ use of parables. The first parable is the Seed that Grows Itself, which is found only in Mark. The second parable is the Kingdom is like a Mustard Seed, which is also found in Matthew and Luke.

Mark 4:26-34 – Parable of the Seed, Parable of the Mustard Seed, Speaking in Parables

Jesus said to the crowds:

“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and through it all the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?

It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Q: We often think Jesus taught in parables to make things easier, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Why did he?

1) To make people think… and when they get it, the stories help make Jesus’ messages easier to remember.

2) He was training the Apostles how to teach about God and the Kingdom. Apostle means to “send out” (teach)

3) Jesus alone controlled the timing of his death. By speaking in parables, he was preventing the Pharisees and scribes from collecting/making accusations against him because “stories” do not constitute direct threats.

Parable of the Seed that Grows Itself

Q: How is the mysterious Growing Seed like the Kingdom of God?

Q: The seed is scattered, the blades and ears appear, the grain if fully developed, the harvest. What are the meanings of these stages in the life of the seed?

1. The seed is the Word of God. Jesus. Forgiveness. Our redemption.

2. The seed is scattered – Jesus/Apostles scatter the seed (word). The word takes root in fertile hearts.

3. The blade & ears begin to appear (the fruit)– the good works of Christians that develop via one’s spiritual growth

4. The fully developed grain - the end of our lives. It is time for the harvest.

5. The harvest – the gathering in of souls in the Last Judgment.

Note: All human beings face two judgments. First when we die, we face an “Individual (or Particular) Judgment” when each person is rewarded according to their faith and works (Mt 16:26; Lk 16:22; 2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23; Heb 9:27, 12:23; CCC 1021-22. Then there is also a “Last (or Final) Judgment” in which all humanity participates at the end of time when Christ will return in glory "to judge the living and the dead" (Mt 25:32-46, Jn 5:28-29, Acts 12:15; 1 Thes 4:16; 2 Thes 1:8-10, CCC 681, 1038-41; Apostles' Creed; Nicene Creed). It is at this time we get glorified bodies and a new Heaven & new Earth.

Above, we saw that the seed has the ability to grow of its own accord, but the sower has to scatter the seed first.

Q: How does the seed grow itself?

That’s the job of the Holy Spirit who meets people in their hearts and minds and draws them in/closer. However, human free will (self-will) can block entry. What can we do? We can plant seeds – which is also an act of human freewill that might cause others to become aware or open themselves up – and those are the seeds the Holy Spirit can use. Sometimes the seeds begin to sprout right away, sometimes years later – but it may never happen if someone doesn’t plant the seeds first. Though the parable says we don’t know how the seed grows by itself, we know now it is the action the Holy Spirit who wasn’t fully introduced until the Pentecost.

Conclusion of the Parable of the Seed that Grows Itself

The growth of the Kingdom of God is a divine act that defies human understanding because it involves an all-present, all-powerful, creative act of love (the Trinitarian God) who is attempting to enter into a dance with free will beings.

Paul makes a reference to this supernatural phenomenon (the seed and the Kingdom) when he writes about his own work alongside his fellow disciple, Barnabas, when people were thinking they were gods. Paul says NO!

“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.” – 1 Cor 3:6-7

The Kingdom Parables

This above parable was about the Kingdom of God and the individual (receiving the word and then spreading the word). Now Jesus takes this to the next level in a parable about the Kingdom of God and this world.

Parable of the Mustard Tree

Q: How is the Mustard Seed/Tree like the Kingdom of God?

“To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

FYI – Jesus is using hyperbole when describing the mustard seed as the smallest of seeds and its plant in full growth as the largest of plants (usually grows only 8-12 feet). His audience knew this about mustard trees, too. What is the point?

Q: What is the contrast that Jesus is making between the mustard seed and His Kingdom?

The contrast is between the small beginnings of the Kingdom of God being brought to the world by one poor man, Jesus Christ (and his apostles) and the Kingdom’s mysterious expansion to encompass the whole earth, defying all worldly powers, and sheltering all who come to dwell in its Household. Also, the kingdom must cherish humility, so Jesus chooses the mustard tree over the great cedars of Lebanon. Everything Jesus says and does is grounded in humility!

Symbolism

The tiny mustard seed ……….Jesus humbly arrives on earth; Apostles, poor uneducated fishermen

The mustard seed planted in the earth ……….Jesus plants the Gospel in the hearts of all who accept His message

The great growth of the mustard tree ……….The great growth of the Church nurtured by the HS from 12 to 1.2B

Large branches, creatures dwell in its shade……The spread of Christianity across the face of the earth, calling all men and women of every ethnicity to salvation in Jesus Christ.

The humble mustard tree!

Bible Timeline 7:35

Where are we so far in our Biblical Timeline?

Bible Timeline

Genesis – Ch 1-11: (15,000?-2100 BC) Adam to Noah to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (called pre-“history”)

Ch 11-50: (2,100-1,800 BC) Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, 12 sons/tribes, Joseph into Egypt à slavery

Exodus – (1,450-1350 BC) Moses – out of Egypt/slavery to Mt. Sinai to the promised land/40 years in the wilderness.

Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - all take place during the 40 years in the wilderness.)

Joshua – (1350-1250 BC) Conquest of Israel and the division of land among Israel’s twelve tribes.

Judges – (1250-1050 BC) “Israel” ruled by 12 Judges from Joshua to King Saul

1 Samuel (1050BC- 980 BC) King Saul and King David

2 Samuel (1010BC- 970 BC) King David

1 Kings (970BC – 930BC) King Solomon

King David is a pivotal figure in the history of the Church, as he was the second king of Israel, a central character in the Old Testament, and he sets the stage for the coming of the Messiah.

Why?

Today, I will provide a short narrative on the life of David, but I have also provided references that offer a more comprehensive overview of his life and significance for anyone interested in digging in further.

David's life can be divided into three key periods:

1) Before his elevation to the throne (this period closes out the book of 1 Samuel)

2) David’s reign as king (which begins with the book of 2 Samuel)

3) David’s later years, which are marked by sin and repentance. This is also important.

David reigns as king for 40 years (~1000-960 BC). His rule, which ends upon his death, closes out the Book of 2nd Samuel. The next book, 1st Kings, begins with the story of David’s son, Solomon’s, who also rules for 40 years.

oung David, shepherd boy, with harp and slingshot

Even as a shepherd boy, David developed several qualities that would serve him well as king. He was skilled with a slingshot, able to defend his flock from danger, and he found solace in playing the harp and singing praises to God, which brought him closer into King Saul’s court. These experiences as a shepherd would later inform David's approach to governing his people, as he saw himself as a shepherd caring for his flock.

David's story begins as a humble shepherd boy tending his father's flocks near Bethlehem. Despite his lowly origins, he was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel, as recounted in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. The prophet Samuel anointed the young David, recognizing him as a "man after God's own heart." This divine selection marked the beginning of David's rise to power and his central role in the history of the chosen people. However, this anointing by Samuel did not mean David was king right away, just that he was chosen/designated. In fact, one of his jealous older brothers likely assumed he was being designated to follow the prophet, Samuel. His future kingship was known only to Samuel, David, and God.

After David kills Goliath, his fame takes off. He is subsequently responsible for many great battles against the Philistines, earning him great respect and admiration of the people. This ends up causing King Saul to see David as a threat. Saul’s jealousy soon spins out of control such that he wants David dead. For several years, David had to run for his life and, notably, when he had a chance to kill the unsuspecting Saul twice, he chose mercy instead, which is a testament to his character.

It is estimated that David was anointed by Samuel about 1010 BC. Roughly 10 years later, David was elevated to king when Saul was killed in battle (~1000 BC).

As Saul's reign ends, David is made king over Judah first and later over all of Israel, uniting the entire kingdom. As king, David proved to be a skilled military leader, expanding the borders of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the capital. He also organized the religious life of the nation, bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and establishing a system of worship and administration for the Levites.

Q: Jerusalem’s history, previously known as “Salem,” was deep. What else happened in here before King David?

1) Jewish tradition says this is the location where Adam was created.

2) Jewish tradition says this is the location where Noah built an altar to God after the great flood subsided.

3) This was the location where Melchizedek ruled (King of Salem – Gen 14:18) when Abraham chased away 5 attacking armies. After Abraham’s success, Melchizedek and Abraham gave thanks to God with bread & wine!

4) This was the “Mount Moriah” upon which God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

5) This location became Israel’s capital city in 1000 AD (King David)

6) This is where Jesus died, was buried, and rose again.

Despite his many accomplishments, David's reign was not without its flaws. The Bible does not hesitate to record his sins, including his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. However, the scriptures also elaborate on David's repentance and his deep faith in God, which was the opposite of the behavior of King Saul. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David acknowledged his wrongdoing and sought forgiveness and penance, as recounted in 2 Samuel 12:1-15. He indeed receives God’s forgiveness, but he also pays his penance.

Scripture and the references provided acknowledge both David’s virtues and flaws. He is presented as a complex figure, a man who was chosen by God despite his human weaknesses. Though the Biblical accounts do not shy away from David's mistakes, they also highlight his repentance and his deep faith in the Lord. In fact, all the “greats” throughout Salvation history had flaws – sometimes MANY flaws – but the difference is always their admission of guilt (humility), their willingness to do penance. and seek God’s forgiveness. God is telling us that these are the qualities that define the path of human salvation.

Messianic significance

David's life is significant in salvation history because he is seen as a prototype of the Messiah, the anointed king who would come from his lineage. The Gospels explicitly identify Jesus as the "son of David," fulfilling the messianic promise. David's prayers and his role as a prophet and psalmist also make him a model of faithful prayer and devotion to God.

In the Catholic tradition, David is honored as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on December 29th.

References

Catholic Encyclopedia King David (https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04642b.htm)

Compendium of the Social Doctrine 378 (https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#INTRODUCTION)

General Audience of 24 June 2020, Catechesis on prayer - 8. The prayer of David (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2020/documents/papa-francesco_20200624_udienza-generale.html)

CCC 2579 (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P91.HTM)

The Bible 1& 2 Kings

Closing Prayer

We have all heard of David’s Psalm 23 “The Lord is My Shepherd,” but not many know that Psalm 22 is the prelude to 23. The Jews in Jesus’ time knew it by heart, so when Jesus said on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – whether or not he could recite the rest – they knew it. He was fulfilling Psalm 22 written by David…

Psalm 22 of David (select verses)

(Fulfilled on the Cross)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?

My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief.

But I am a worm, not a man, scorned by men, despised by my people.

All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me:

“He relied on the LORD—let him deliver him; if He loves him, let him rescue him!”

Like water my life drains away; all my bones are disjointed.

My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me.

But you, LORD, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me.

You who fear the LORD, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

For he has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch; did not turn away from me but heard me when I cried out. For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations. All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; all who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage.

The generations to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

Mary, queen of Heaven and Mother of our Lord,

Pray for us!