1.27.25 - The 8 Beatitudes and Fall of Man Conclusion
- tmaley
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
Northern Virginia Catholic Bible Study & Apologetics 1/27/26
Every Tuesday, 7PM-8PM. This meeting is a lecture/Q&A format. It is free.
Meetings on Meetup: www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy
Past classes are posted on our Catholic Catacombs Website: www.CatholicCatacombs.org
House rules/notes…
Our meetings/classes are on ZOOM every Tuesday, 7-8 PM. Sign up for Zoom notifications and to receive meeting reminders at www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy. Zoom ID: 861 1782 2081 Password: 406952.
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.
Recaps. Within a day or two after each meeting, we will post the edited meeting notes of our discussions on our website, www.catholiccatacombs.org. Taylor will notify everyone when this is posted and provide you with a link.
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-in-Christ; in fact, I personally owe much 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, and apply the Bible and our Catholic faith to our everyday lives.
“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.
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/.
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 is a 3-day retreat at Mission Hurst in Arlington. Contact ron@hallagan.net) for men’s groups and Jennifer Pence (Jennifer.pence@gmail.com) for women’s groups.
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 difficult ones!
Wk 2: Bible Week – we are working our way through the Bible. We are studying the prophets!
Wk 3: Questions and Survey Topics chosen by Members:
Fathers of the Church, Heresies, Church Councils 2) Near Death Experiences 3) Jesus prefigured & prophesied in the OT 4) Apparitions and modern miracles 5) What happens to pets after they die. 6) Could you review of Plenary and Partial Indulgences again? 7) Prison ministry stories
Wk 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
Each meeting is (roughly) as follows:
15 min Catholic topic/catechesis
15 min Upcoming Gospel reading
30 min Weekly topic/theme
1 hour
Please RSVP to these classes. It is not required for attending, but it boosts Catholic Bible Study visibility.
Taylor will send a link to everyone with today’s notes.
The class is recorded if you want to listen to it anytime.
FYI, I will ask for volunteers to read…
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, serve you, learn from you, and to grow closer to you.
Thank you for your infinite patience, forgiveness, wisdom, and assistance.
You are everything to me, and all that I am and all that I have belongs to you.
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.
Major holy days: Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent, Feb 18
St. Joseph – March 19
The Annunciation – March 25
Mass or Confession anywhere, anytime: www.masstimes.org
Today’s Agenda
Survey update
Reflection: Is the Church 2000 years old?
Gospel reading for 4th Sun in Ord Time, Feb 1, The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12
The Fall of Man Conclusion, Genesis 3
Quote of the Week:
“God’s unmerited love engenders disinterested love in us.” – Bishop Barron
What on earth is “disinterested love”?
Love that is not based on self-interest – freely given, nothing expected in return. Just like God’s unmerited love.
Context: The most famous sermon in the entire New Testament is the Sermon on the Mount, covered in Matthew 5-7. St. Augustine’s first book was on this Sermon. In fact, the Church will be covering the Sermon on the Mount for the next six Sundays. And what is the most famous part of the Sermon? The very beginning of Chapter 5, The Beatitudes!
Why is it so important? Because the Son of God is telling humans what they need to do to be happy.
BTW, the Greek translation for beatitudes (makarioi) means happy. Each beatitude could well start, “Happy are those…”
Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes offer us a blueprint for holiness and happiness. He invites us to look beyond the surface of life to see that lasting happiness isn't found in wealth, power, or endless entertainment, but in humility, compassion, and the longing for goodness and justice. The Beatitudes challenge us to live with an open heart, to mourn with those who suffer, to show mercy, and to seek peace, even though the world may call us to more superficial standards.
Not surprisingly, people nowadays tend to take the easiest path and often default to their “feelings” – the least reliable of all human characteristics – to determine what their “happy” is. This leaves many – especially young people – in a circle that goes nowhere, feeling rudderless or even hopeless.
Seeking purpose in life is a uniquely human quest. When we ask, “What purpose might be worth seeking that will lead to my happiness?” The Beatitudes help us connect the dots.
Remember, Matthew writes for a Jewish audience. So how might we connect Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to the Old Testament?
Moses goes up Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 Commandments. Jesus goes up the mount to deliver the Sermon!
Notice God gives the commandments. Who gives the Sermon on the Mount?
Moses comes down to give the commandments to the people. Jesus invites the people to come up with him. Jesus came to invite us into intimacy with the Father. Everything in the OT is elevated and internalized, even the HS.
Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
How many Beatitudes are there? (pop quiz)
Although above we may count nine, there are actually eight. Jesus expands the eighth beatitude, applying it personally to the disciples, but it is not traditionally counted separately.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
With Jesus, it is worth noting that what he puts first is usually the most important, so we need to understand this one. In a word, it means to be “spiritually humble” as opposed to “spiritually prideful.” It’s interesting that Jesus make this first, which tells us that spiritual arrogance is a real threat to all of us. Many people who find God turn around and start judging those who don’t have God, or don’t have God as much as them. As soon as we think this, we fail at “poor in spirit.” If we need a reminder, consider the parable of the Pharisee and Taxpayer in the Temple Courtyard. Who remembers this?
Many people think this beatitude is referring to those who are materially poor, but that is not the case. It doesn’t say, “Blessed are the poor”; it says, “poor in spirit.” Although the materially-poor may be more inclined to being poor in spirit than someone who is rich, by no means is this guaranteed.
Why would someone who is materially poor have easier access to God than someone who is well-off?
When we have our material needs covered (especially excessively), the ego sees no need for God, or a lot less need for God, so God is more easily forgotten. Materially-poor people are more likely to call out to God for help, and they have less material wealth blocking God. But again, income-related poverty is no guarantee.
Poor in spirit (or poverty of spirit) refers to the internal condition of the person, meaning they consider themselves unattached to this world so God can enter their lives. If we are more attached to this world than God, then by our own free-will, God is blocked. This does not mean that worldly things are bad, but they cannot be given a higher priority than God. This is determined not only by our minds, but by our actions. The key is to realize that when it comes to God, we have no riches. He is the source of everything we have. Even our raw talents didn’t come from us. We are merely grateful stewards on this earth.
BTW, if you want to love your family more, then love God first. Why? (pop quiz)
Because God is our source of infinite love. All other human love is finite and fleeting in comparison.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
The motives of mourning in this beatitude usually refer to those who mourn the suffering of others, especially due to the tremendous evil throughout the world. Mourning goes hand-in-hand with hoping and praying that God will turn things around or make something good happen out of the bad things happening. Whether we see it or not, our prayers are instrumental and for these we will be rewarded.
What are some of the reasons we don’t see the results we would like to see?
We often cannot see the results we want for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:
Resistance to grace from others, since God does not override people’s free will.
Situations that have much more complexity or truth than what meets our eyes.
The need for tough love.
What we wish for may actually be more harmful that what is needed.
God’s time is not our time.
Nevertheless, good happens every time we pray even if we don’t see it, and the final good will always be concluded in the next life.
Mourning for the death of others may also be included in this beatitude, as long as we tie our sadness, prayers, and hopes to the salvation of the deceased.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.
Meek is often misunderstood. It does not mean weak. It means being gentle, even in the face of insults. Jesus and Mary are our role-models for meekness.
It’s a paradox that some of the most intelligent/successful people are also the most arrogant; what is paradoxical is that they are often close-minded, narrow-minded people. Why? Because they “know better.” They are full of themselves, which is the danger of worldly success.
Another of the great paradoxes is that one can only gain wisdom if one is humble. You might be smart, but smart is not wise. Humility opens the door to God and expands our spiritual peripheral vision.
“Inherit the land” refers to the Promised Land, but not the Old Testament Promised Land. Jesus’ Promised Land.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (justice), for they shall be satisfied.”
This refers to those who live their lives striving to live justly and correct injustices. They believe in fairness even if it costs them. And although they may never get to the end of this rainbow on earth, they will absolutely reach it in the next.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Mercy means to forgive others even when they don’t deserve it.
Those who do Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy will be repaid with far greater mercy.
The Corporal Works of Mercy are kind acts that help our neighbors with their material and physical needs: feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead, and give alms to the poor.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion by which we help our neighbors with their emotional and spiritual needs, such as when we instruct, advise, console, comfort, forgive, and bear wrongs patiently – as Christ did.
It is noted that the truly merciful also are also quick to recognize their own sinfulness, which is what helps them to empathize with other sinners.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (pop quiz)
Someone who is “pure in heart” is one who is the same person on the inside as on the outside. This is the definition of integrity. The opposite is the person who has hidden agendas, manipulates others, and is a hypocrite. The pure of heart only say what they mean, and then their actions follow their words. They also do not speak ill of others.
Jesus gave Nathanial the ultimate compliment when he met him for the first time and said, “Here is a true Israelite, in him there is no deceit.” Jesus was referring to this quality of a pure heart.
This is also what Jesus means by this quote (integrity – our inside and outside are the same!):
“The eye is like the lamp of the body. If therefore the eye is single, then your whole body shall be full of light.” Matt 6:22
There is a quality (habit) that helps us develop a pure heart: taking care what we allow to enter us, whether it is exposure to temptation, listening to dishonest friends/coworkers, pornography, etc. The pure of heart wisely feed their souls good things because they recognize that, at the end of the day, we become whatever we feed our minds.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Elevating “shalom.”
The "peacemakers" are those who not only live in peace with others but do their best to preserve peace and friendship among others, and to restore it when it has been disturbed. We all know people who are good at this, but we can ALL get better at it. Jesus says that it is on account of this godly work that they shall be called the sons of God.
It is important to recognize that the first job a true peacemaker starts with the peace one creates within oneself in partnership with God. This extends to our personal relationships. It is by practicing this peace ourselves that qualifies us to help others work for the same.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus says that, after all of the above, you should expect some good, old-fashioned persecution. Goodness will not go unpunished by this world. BUT do not be too shaken or bothered because you are doing what all the prophets and saints did before you, and for this reason all of heaven will be yours. And not just after this life, but starting now.
It’s a good deal.
The Conclusion of The Fall of Man
End of Genesis 3
Where we left off …
After God pronounced “self-inflicted” judgements on Adam and Eve, we now conclude the Fall of Man, except for the following last few verses.
20 The man gave his wife the name “Eve,” because she was the mother of all the living.
Eve did not have a proper name before this. She was “woman” – the same word Jesus uses to call Mary several times, which makes sense since Mary is the new Eve. Eve comes from Hebrew word meaning, “mother of all the living.” Receiving this name after they fell tells us the human race isn’t over!
In case you were wondering, Adam was not a proper name, either, until Genesis 4. In Gen 1-3, Adam referred to “dirt” or “earth” (God made us of the earth), and we also see “ha-dam,” meaning man/humankind. This usage for man and woman emphasizes their representative role for the human race.
21 The LORD God made for the man and his wife garments of skin, with which he clothed them.
God shows compassion even in punishment. There’s a reason for this. He loves them and wants them to make it.
22-23 And the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like us, knowing good and evil. Now, what if he also reaches out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life, and eats of it and lives forever? Therefore, the LORD God banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken.
Note first that God refers to Himself as “us.” This is another indication of the Trinity.
What was the meaning of the Tree of Life?
The Tree of Life represented immortality. If Adam & Eve ate from the Tree of Life after they fell, they would have remained fallen forever, like the fallen angels. The point here is that God sent us into this world, this life, to give us another chance to join Him in Heaven. It was a gift.
24 He expelled the man, stationing the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword east of the Garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life.
What was the meaning of Cherubim with the revolving sword of fire blocking the way back to Eden?
Obviously, NOBODY was going to get by the Cherubim, who are higher than the Archangels.
Except whom?
Except Jesus Christ. The point of this was to show that man by himself could not regain his heavenly destiny by himself. Impossible. Only God himself could remedy this, but justice required that man pay the cost of his transgressions. Who else but Jesus Christ met both criteria.
What’s about the flaming sword?
Re-entering paradise required one to pass through the unquenchable flaming sword. Again, no human could.
Jesus Christ passed through this flame for us, which was his passion and death.
The cross is the Tree of Life.
Comments