10.27.26 | All Saints | All Souls | The Beatitudes | Intro to Comparative Religions |

👉Watch Tuesday's recorded class here👈

Catholic Understanding & Biblical Defense Class 10/27/26

Every Tuesday, 7PM-8PM (EST), 🖥️Zoom ID: 861 1782 2081  🗝️Passcode: 406952

Join to receive notifications and study notes on Meetup: www.meetup.com/catholicbiblestudy

Past classes are posted on our Catholic Catacombs Website:  www.CatholicCatacombs.org 

House Rules and Catholic Resources…

1. 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! 

2. 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. 

3. 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.    

4. 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 faith to our everyday lives. 

5. 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  

6. Hallow App. Daily prayers and reflections, especially for the high holyday seasons. www.alex@mail.hallow.com 

7. Catholic Answers – www.catholic.com. Best site for Catholic Apologetics there is. 

8. Dynamic Catholic. Interested in daily inspirations to grow closer to God and the Church, not to speak of the many educational resources? Sign up for Matthew Kelly’s powerful insights, quotes, and reflections at www.dynamiccatholic.com. 

9. “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.  

10. Cursillo. Interested in meeting with other men or women weekly over coffee to discuss God in your personal and professional life? Join Cursillo (cur-see-yo). Contact Jennifer Pence (Jennifer.pence@gmail.com) for more information.       

Bible Study Format

Our Bible Study is a combination of Exegesis and Apologetics.

Each meeting is (roughly) as follows:

15. min   Apologetic Reflection

16. 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 New Testament.  

Weeks 3 & 4:   Survey Topics chosen by Members (explanations of our faith & apologetics):       

1. Prison Ministry Stories  2. Plenary Indulgences  3. Gen 1-3 (Creation Story, Adam & Eve, the Fall of Man)

4.  Faith vs Doubts – does having doubts make us bad Christians? 5. Explanation of the Mass & Eucharist

6. Dead Sea Scrolls    7. Catholicism vs modern cosmology and Evolution  8. Fruits of the HS, 7 Deadly Sins      

9.  How do we experience the Love of God?   10. The Communion of Saints

11. Comparative Religions   12. Catholic vs Protestant beliefs

• Don’t forget to RSVP. 

• Taylor will send a link to everyone with today’s notes.

• The class is recorded if you want to listen to it anytime.

• There will be questions just to stimulate thinking, conversation, and memory. Knowing the answers is not important.  

• I will occasionally ask for volunteer readers… 

Opening Prayer  

LORD, thank you for your promise that where two or three of us are gathered in your name, You are there.

We welcome You among us today!

We ask that You open our ears so that we hear your voice and receive Your peace and Your wisdom.

And as Jesus 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.

Major holy days:  All Saints Day (Nov 1), All Souls Day (Nov 2)

 www.masstimes.org:  Mass or Confession anywhere/anytime in the world!

Today’s Agenda… 

Reflection:  All Saints Day and All Souls Day

Gospel Reading for Solemnity of All Saints, Sun 11/1: The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12

Member Topic:  Intro to Comparative Religions

Term of the Week:  

What is the meaning of Beatitude?

Beatitude comes from the Latin meaning “supreme happiness” or a “state of blessedness.” The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 begins with the Eight Beatitudes. Each Beatitude starts off with “Blessed are….”  A more accurate translation would be “Happy are….”  The Beatitudes are spiritual pathways to happiness and Heaven, and each one gives a description of the different virtues that were achieved by the Saints.  

All Saints Day – Nov 1

As we discussed last week in our topic Communion of Saints, the term “saint” in the Bible refers to all the holy people united to Christ, which include all those on Earth (us), those in Heaven, and those in Purgatory. 

What "All Saints Day" celebrates is all the saints who have made it to Heaven. Not just the canonized Saints, but every saved person in Heaven. It represents the great feast of the triumph of Easter, since it was Jesus’ resurrection on Easter that reopened the gates of Heaven. We see a reference to this multitude of saints in Rev 7:10: 

“After this I looked and saw a multitude too great to count (the saints), from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.” – Rev 7:10

What do the white robes represent?

White robes were worn by the priests at the Temple but remember that Jesus came to establish a kingdom of priests. In Peter 2:5,9, he calls all Christians a “holy priesthood” and a “royal priesthood” because of the Holy Spirit who was given to us – we are now each a Temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Why are they holding palm branches?

In ancient times, palm branches were often used to honor victorious armies upon their return. Recall the palm branches laid on the ground as Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; thus, they represent Jesus’ victory over death. 

Is “All Saints Day” on Nov 1 a day of obligation to attend Mass? 

Normally yes, but rather than thinking of it as an obligation, we should think of it as co-celebrating with the entire graduation class of saints that extends back to Adam, many who gave up their lives to defend the faith. We all hope to join this incredible class one day!  I said, “normally” because this year All Saints Day falls on a Sunday so the obligation is satisfied by attending Mass on Sunday. 

 All Souls Day – November 2^nd 

All Souls' Day commemorates all the faithful departed, especially those who are in need of purification in Purgatory before entering Heaven. On this day, the Church and faithful (us) offer Masses for them and intercessory prayers, since we believe that our prayers can assist in the souls' journey towards Heaven. This observance highlights our collective relationship in the Body of Christ, loving and praying for each other. We will be grateful for such prayers if and when it’s our turn! 

Since apostolic times – and for the Jews prior to and during the time of Jesus – people were aware that at the moment of our death we are not always the persons we needed to be for eternity (2 Mac 12:43-46, Wisdom 3:1-9). As it says in Maccabees 12, “it is holy and wholesome to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins.” 

Who needs our prayers after death? Those in Heaven, those in Purgatory, or those in Hell?

Purgatory. If you are in Heaven, you don’t need prayers; and if you are in Hell, prayers won’t do you any good.   

N.T. references to purification of souls after death can also be found in Mt 5:26, Mt. 12:32, Luke 12:57-59, 1 Cor 3:11-15.

Remember that sin cannot enter Heaven. If we have received forgiveness and satisfied our penances at the time of our death, our sanctification ought to be complete, and we will enter Heaven immediately. However, our souls are often still stained by selfishness, resentments, not honoring the Lord’s Day, not loving one’s neighbor, etc. In such cases, we will need final purification of our unreconciled sins before we can enter Heaven.

Apologetic: You may hear Protestants say that Purgatory isn’t necessary since Jesus' death on the cross was sufficient to cover all our sins so that we can go straight to heaven. What is your response? 

The first part is true – Jesus' death on the cross was more than sufficient to wipe out sin ever committed. But it isn’t a question about the sufficiency of what Jesus did; it’s about our part. Jesus’ death offers us all the forgiveness we might possibly need, but it isn’t a one-time deal – it’s the beginning of our relationship with Him. We are being called into a life-long journey with Christ where we learn to cooperate with His grace while we continue seeking His forgiveness and council.   

Matthew 5:1-12

The Beatitudes 

Context: 

Jesus’ most famous sermon was the Sermon on the Mount, which is in Matthew, chapters 5-7.  The very beginning of the Sermon starts out with The Eight Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12).  As we discussed above, Beatitude means supreme happiness. 

Why was it important that Jesus begin with “Beatitudes”? 

The Son of God obviously considers it important for us to know what will lead us to real happiness. 

The reading starts out by saying Jesus went up a mountain where he delivered his Sermon. In the Old Testament, we find Moses also going up a mountain where he received the Ten Commandments, the pillar of Judaism. 

What is the biggest difference in what these two did?

Moses went up to receive the Commandments. Jesus went up to deliver the Sermon. He is doing what God did. 

Through this series of paradoxes, surprises, and reversals, Jesus begins setting a topsy-turvy universe aright. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” means “Happy are you are who are not addicted to material things.” 

Jesus is telling us how to realize our deepest desire, which is the desire for God and not for transitory things that only bring temporary gratification.

Theologian NT Wright has pointed out that the Old Testament is essentially an unfinished symphony. It is the articulation of a hope but without a realization of that hope. Thus, as the fulfillment of Israel’s entire story, Jesus begins his primary teaching with the Beatitudes, a title that means “happy” or “blessed” are those who follow this path. 

St. Augustine’s first book was on this Sermon. He tells us that 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. And Augustine should know, because he had money, women, and fame before he became a Christian. 

Augustine says 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 calls us to more superficial standards.   

Not surprisingly, people nowadays tend to take the easiest path of immediate gratification and will 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 will help us connect the dots. 

 The Beatitudes, 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 clean of 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.

Exegesis (Investigation/Interpretation/Explanation)

How many Beatitudes are there?

Trick question! 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 as separate. 

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

Note that what Jesus puts first is usually the most important. Many people think this beatitude is referring to those who are materially poor, but that is not so. It doesn’t say, “Blessed are the poor”; it says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” 

“Poor in spirit” (or poverty of spirit) refers to the internal condition of the person in two ways:

1) The poor in spirit have emptied themselves to make room for God. This is the ultimate meaning of humility. 

2) There is an inverse relationship between worldly attachments and God in our lives. The more we are attached to money and material goods, the more God is blocked. The person who is poor in spirit is unattached to worldly riches. 

The Church holds that God has a “preferential option for the (materially) poor.” Does that connect with this beatitude?    

Throughout biblical scripture, God makes his concern for widows, orphans, and the vulnerable abundantly clear, if only because they are alone and suffer more. But also to set an example for us – since we should feel the same way. It is also true that those who are materially poor are more likely to call out to God for help, since they have less worldly wealth and activities blocking God out. That being said, income-related poverty is no guarantee of salvation as they, too, may choose an unholy life and reject God. 

The warning is this: The more we have our material needs met, the less our egos see any need for God, which leads to God being easily forgotten (or put second). This is why many of the saints gave up their wealth to be poor. 

Does this mean we should give up our material goods?

No. Material things are bad – God made everything good – but we cannot give them a higher priority than God. This takes intention and action on our part (i.e., helping others, especially the less fortunate). Remember, when it comes to God, we have no riches. When we face judgment day, we can’t buy our way into Heaven. We need to be grateful knowing that God is source of everything we have, even our talents.  

2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

First, we all seek freedom from physical and emotional pain, and Jesus uses this beatitude to remind us that pain isn’t going away in this lifetime. Pain brings us to God and God will participate with us in our suffering and change us through it. Jesus showed us the way himself and we can see the good he brought out of it. He will do the same for us. 

Second, just as the “poverty of spirit” required humility, this beatitude likewise calls us to humbly mourn over the pain of others, which in turn leads us to hope and pray that God will aid them and help bring something good out of their suffering. Whether we are around to see the results or not, know that our prayers are instrumental in helping them, and for this we are rewarded. 

Third, mourning for the death of others is also included in this beatitude, as long as we tie our sadness, our prayers, and our hopes to the salvation of the deceased. 

3. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.”

Humans naturally want to be winners and to dominate, which leads unnecessarily to a world filled with continual struggle, starting with each of us individually. Jesus wants to change our attitude. Meekness is often misunderstood – it does not mean weak. It means being gentle, even in the face of insults, for we know that resistance always leads to escalation.

God is always willing to put His money where his mouth is, so Jesus showed us how to be meek when they cursed and spit on him. It’s not easy, but no virtue is, especially at first. It’s a skill.  Moreover, every response of meekness earns its reward, for Jesus says they will inherit the land – not just Heaven, but the Earth, too. God is Lord of both.  

4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (justice), for they shall be satisfied.”

We all hunger and thirst for or own individual contentment, whether from self-esteem or immediate gratifications of a physical/material nature. Jesus challenges us to be discontented with our own, tiny world of individual contentment and seek righteousness. Righteousness is living in a way that is just, good, and faithful to God’s will. When we truly seek this, God’s grace can renew us inwardly and make us even more righteous, and in this shall our hearts be satisfied.  

5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” 

We all want our rights; we all want justice. This is quite natural but Jesus blesses mercy instead, which goes beyond justice. Remember, mercy is forgiveness and compassion that is not deserved. One reason to give mercy is because then, we too “shall obtain mercy” from God. Whatever we do, we should not ask God for justice at the Last Judgment. That would be the dumbest thing we could ever do. Ask for mercy.  And practice giving it.   

6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 

Think of our first parents who saw that eating from the forbidden tree would satisfy their “lust for the eyes” and “lust for the flesh.” The lust for the eyes (possessions) and lust for the flesh (immediate physical gratification, i.e., sex, food, etc.) led to the Fall of Man. We still have these desires, but Jesus is teaching us to control our self-serving tendencies. It starts with giving more than receiving, sacrificing for others rather than manipulating them, being truthful and transparent instead of lying and pretending. Someone who is “pure in heart” is one who is the same person on the inside as on the outside. When we are self-serving, we cannot see God, and He cannot see us. When we are pure in heart, we can see each other.  

7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”  

Once again, we want to win, to conquer our enemies whether at war, or in business, or on the athletic field. This nature of ours has serious fallen tendencies. Fighting – whether between nations or individuals – is usually caused by the desire for temporal goods, temporal advantage, or an eye for an eye (see James 4:1-10). Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers" and peace requires peacemaking, which takes effort. It requires a kind of spiritual war against war, and it starts inside each of us. We can’t make peace with others if we don’t have a sense of that peace within us first – a God-like peace. He will help us. 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And 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.”

We all prefer to be loved, to be accepted, and to be honored by the world. Yet Jesus says, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness… and insult 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.” 

Yes, we crave love from the world, but the world is fallen and afraid of Christ like the cavity is afraid of the dentist, or as the darkness is afraid of the light. The world will probably leave you alone if you are moderately evil or moderately good, but it will persecute you for being passionately good. That’s why Saints were killed. As the saying goes, the closer we get to Christ, the more splinters we will get from his cross. 

BUT Jesus tells us not be too frightened by all this because when we stand up for the truth, we are doing what all the prophets and saints did before us, and for this reason all of Heaven will be ours. Not just after this life, but starting now.   

At the core, the Beatitudes reveal the very character of Christ Himself. He lived what He taught, embracing humility, mercy, and sacrificial love—even to the cross. As His disciples, we are called to imitate Him. The blessings He pronounces are not promises of an easy life, but assurances that God is with us, especially when our journey is hard and our love is costly.

Jesus doesn’t expect us to do all of these by tomorrow. Even the saints only perfected a few of them at a time. What he wants is us to understand them, pray for them, and move towards the few that we can.  

Member Topic: Comparative Religions

Because of the two holy days (All Saints and All Souls) and the Eight Beatitudes, we will have just enough time to give you this overview of the major religions. Next time we will dig further--into the Eastern religions.

World Population 8.3 Billion

Major World Religions Members % of World Population

Christianity 2.7 billion 3%

Islam 1.9 billion 24%

Hinduism 1.2 billion 15%

Non-Religious 1.2 billion 15%

Buddhism 500 million 6%

Judaism 16 million .2%

Christianity Denominations Members %

Roman Catholicism 1 1.4 billion 51%

Protestantism 325-47,000 900 million 34%

Orthodox 20+/- 300 million 11%

Misc. Christian ...many. 100 Million 4%

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus

We thank you for the blessing of reading your word together. 

We ask that these words of life, truth and hope enlighten our minds and strengthen our faith.

May your love and grace follow each of us as we return to our daily lives, refreshed and blessed by you.

We ask all this in your name.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle! 

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, 

By the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all his evil spirits, 

Who travel about the world seeking the ruin of souls. 

Amen.