Dead Theologians Society The Session 1 – Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2

Scripture in the Catholic Life - “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ” – St. Jerome - NAB Translation is used during Mass - RSV-Catholic Edition is also recommended o Helpful because many Protestants use the standard RSV o This edition is also used in the English Catechism of the Catholic Church - Lessons from the Catechism o Articles 115-117: Method of interpreting Scripture . First, look for the literal sense of the Scripture  Use of literary tools, language, genre, customs, etc  What was the intended purpose of the author (God)? . Spiritual Senses  Allegorical Sense: how does this relate to Christ? o Temple of Solomon pointing to the Christ as the eternal temple  Moral Sense: how does this relate to me personally?  Anagogical: how does this relate to the future? o Three basic rules to interpreting Scripture as a Catholic (Articles 112-114) . Be especially attentive to the content and unity of the whole Scripture  Scripture is a unity by virtue of the unity of God’s plan . We must read the Scripture within the living tradition of the whole Church  Conversely, Protestant theology ascribes to the perspecuitous interpretation of Scripture (Scripture interprets itself)  Catholics believe that Scripture is interpreted within the context of our living faith – The life of the Church helps interpretation . Be attentive to the analogy of faith – “the coherence of the truths”  We cannot come up with interpretations contrary to the teachings of the Church - Application of Scripture in our Life o The purpose of our study is not “to know” Scripture but to put this Scripture into practice and allow it to make a difference in our lives o Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed (happy) is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked … but his delight is in the law of the Lord … He is like a tree … in all that he does he prospers.” o “You want to see? Then listen first. Hearing is a step towards seeing.” – St. Bernard of Clairvoux . We must meditate upon the Scripture o “God’s words grow with the reader” – St. Gregory the Great o “Be doers of the Word and not hearers of the Word only” – Letter of St. James . The Word of God is like a mirror – it reflects to us ourselves as we are

Introduction to Matthew - Catholics take care not to “harmonize the four Gospels” o Respects the individual nature of each author

- An author is never properly named o The consensus of the early Church added his authorship o Notice how the false gospels often claim “I, so-and-so, write to you” - Little is known about Matthew (“Levi”) o Tax collector (Matt 9:9) o Chosen to be one of the twelve Apostles o Appears in Acts 21:3 at o Tradition holds that he was martyred, but there are no details - Dating of the book o Consensus is somewhere between 50-70 AD . The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem took place in 70 AD . is the fulfillment/replacement of the OT. Jesus is the new temple. . Theory is that if Matthew knew of the Temple’s destruction that he would have mentioned such a major centerpiece of his writing - Style o Point out how past events have enduring significance . Matthew 24: foretells the destruction of the Temple o Jesus is the true Messiah of God o Establishment of the Church as the Kingdom of Heaven on earth o Fulfills OT covenants o Jesus is cast in the role of the New Moses o Son of David sitting on His everlasting throne - Audience o Jewish o Assumes that you know the OT very well - Structure o Chronicles the life of Christ in five sections – imitation of the Pentateuch (“The Books of Moses”) o Prologue (Chapters 1-2 – The Birth of the King) o Book 1 – Announcement of the Kingdom . Narrative (Chapters 3-4 – and Jesus’ early ministry) . Discourse (Chapters 5-7 – Sermon on the Mount) o Book 2 – Establishment of the Kingdom . Narrative (Chapters 8-9 – Miracles: Commissioning of the Twelve) . Discourse (Chapter 10 – Missionary instructions) o Book 3 – The Kingdom Defined . Narrative (Chapters 11-12 – Jesus confronts an evil generation) . Discourse (Chapter 13 – Kingdom Parables) o Book 4 – Transfer of the Kingdom’s Authority . Narrative (Chapters 14-17 – Travels and ministry: instructing the Twelve) . Discourse (Chapter 18 – Life in the Christian Community) o Book 5 – Announcement of the End of the Old Kingdom . Narrative (Chapters 19-23 – Events and Teaching in Judea) . Discourse (Chapters 24-25 – /Judgment on Jerusalem) o Conclusion – Victory of the King . Narrative (Chapters 26-28 – Passion Week)

CHAPTER 1 – Jesus, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham

Why start with a genealogy? - Matthew has to get over a few hurdles o Must show some connection to some important people o Must explain Mary’s socially unacceptable pregnancy - God is showing that Christ is a new beginning o Genealogy is similar to the creation/beginning of Genesis o “Genealogy” is the same word used in the Greek translation for “Genesis” (from the Septuagint) o Christ’s work will impact the whole world just as Adam had done - References to David and Abraham o Covenant with David: 2 Samuel 7 . Involves a blessing to the Gentiles o Covenant with Abraham: Genesis 12 . “Through you, all the world will be blessed” . Assures that all the Gentiles will also be blessed o Foundational covenant oaths - “Who is your father?” o Genealogies are not just a family pedigree but are also used to make a point . Some names are actually left out . Matthew is forcing you to see something particular  V. 17 - “14 generations”  3 sets of 14 or 6 sets of 7  7 is the number of completion, fullness and covenant . v. 18 – beginning of the seventh seven – of the fullness of time o Letters of the Hebrew alphabet have numeric values (A=1, B=2, etc) . “David” = “DVD” = “464” = “14” o David brought to mind the glory days of Israel o Jesus is to be the Son of David fulfilling the covenant that “your descendant shall sit on the throne” - Third Cycle of the genealogy begins with the Deportation to Babylon (587 BCE) o Why would Matthew bring up the bad memory of the Deportation? o Division of Israel in 930 BC (North and South) o Daniel 9: “70 years will not be enough … it will be expanded to 7 times 70 years” . Though the Israelites came back physically, they had not yet returned spiritually - Women were not typically mentioned in genealogies o Four are mentioned in this genealogy o “Shady ladies” – women with questionable backgrounds . Tamar – daughter-in-law of Judah (Genesis 38)  Pretended to be a prostitute . Rahab – Canaanite and a harlot . Ruth – Moabite who was not of the Israelite community . “The wife of Uriah,” aka “Bathsheba” o Could he not have mentioned Sarah and Rachel? . This was an inclusion of sinners into the people of God . The women chosen all had unusual marital or sexual relationships . Matthew is setting up the reader for something  “You have not rejected Solomon as the Son of David after all of this. You now have no grounds to reject Jesus on the grounds of suspicion of fornication or any other inappropriate relationship  Getting us ready for the “virgin who was conceived by the Holy Spirit” o V. 16 – “Jacob, the father of Joseph …” . In the OT Jacob was a father of Joseph . Joseph was cared for by his sister Miriam “Mary” - The Conception of Jesus o V. 18 – betrothal . Period of time between the covenant of marriage and actually living together . Could be up to a year . Could only be terminated by death or divorce o V. 19 – “just man” . Who did Joseph think was the unworthy partner in the relationship?  Himself or Mary? . Suspicion Theory  Joseph suspects Mary of adultery and seeks to divorce her according to the law (Deut 24)  But he is going to do it secretly as to avoid the punishment of the law (Deut 22) that says the penalty for adultery is death  Joseph wants to protect Mary from death  Problem: a “just man” would carry out both parts of the law, not just one . Reverence Theory (embraced by the Catholic Church)  Joseph was already informed of the divine miracle and considered himself unworthy to be a part of this incredible work  His resolve to separate quietly is viewed as an effort to avoid exhibiting Mary publicly  The angelic vision encourages him to embrace his role . Parallel of the two Joseph’s  In both cases they share the same name  Both have fathers named Jacob  God spoke to both through dreams  Both were “righteous and chaste”  Both saved families by bringing them to Egypt o V. 23 – quotation of Isaiah 7:14 “The virgin shall conceive …” . A formula quotation: Matthew does this to help the reader who might not make the immediate connection  Original quote literally refers to the birth of Hezekiah  The allegorical sense of Scripture leads Matthew to conclude that this is a reference to Christ . “God is with us”  cf. Matthew 28:19-20 o Jesus is focused on the Exile and bringing about a new Exodus o V. 25 – Immaculate Conception and Perpetual Virginity . “he knew her not until …”  This word does not imply marital relations following Christ’s birth.  Used to indicate a select period of time “to, until” o 1 Timothy 4:13 “til I come …”  Point of the text is to clarify the virgin birth and not to make a commentary on later actions

CHAPTER 2 – The King in Exile

Foundations: One of the central events of OT is the Passover of Exodus. But the second most important event was the Exile. In the OT there is a united kingdom in about 1000 BCE (Saul, David, Solomon). Solomon was hard on the people and they revolt against his son, Rehoboam. Israel splits and the northern ten tribes forsake the Lord and are conquered by the Assyrians. The tribes of Benjamin and Judah (the Southern Kingdom) remain faithful but their prophets warn them that infidelity to the Lord can lead them to the same fate as their northern brethren.

In 587 BCE the Southern Kingdom is captured by the Babylonians and the leaders are sent into exile. The Book of Isaiah has two main parts: The Book of Woes (chs. 1-39) and The Book of Consolation (chaps 40-56 – roughly). At the time of Matthew’s Gospel the people of Israel are still awaiting the time of Consolation. Jesus and John the Baptist speak/quote from chapters 40 and on.

The Visit of the Magi - The Wise Men were most likely members of the priestly class of Persia. Matthew uses them to represent the Gentiles o Demonstrates how God is calling even the non-Jews into salvation o This will upset many of the Jewish leaders - King Herod and the Book of Numbers (Balaam) o Herod had murdered his “favorite” wife and three of his sons who threatened his throne o Appointed king of the Jews by the Roman Senate in 40 BCE and he was replacing a collapsing dynasty of priestly rulers in Judea o Verse 3: “he was very troubled” o Why would he be so troubled? Herod was not a full Jew, he was an Edomite. . In the OT Jacob and Esau were twins and Jacob stole the birthright. Esau became the father of the Edomites. Thus there is a lot of tension between the families of Jacob (Israelites) and Esau. Here we have Herod “pretending” (stealing the birthright) of Jacob’s family. . The Magi are the first to recognize the kingship of Jesus . Verse 2: “where is he who has been born king of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east”  The star recalls an OT prophesy about the Messiah (Numbers 24:17ff)  Balaam is hired by the people of Moab to put a curse on Israel. Each attempt he makes to curse turns into a blessing  “a star shall rise … Edom will be conquered/dispossessed” - The Magi’s visit recalls Isaiah 60:3-6 where “Gentile nations shall bring gifts to God” o St. Irenaeus gives an allegorical interpretation: “the gifts of the magi signify the mystery of Christ incarnate. The gold represents the kingship of Jesus. Frankincense is used for worship and signifies his divinity. Myrrh is a burial ointment and signifies the humanity of Christ, especially in his Passion and Death” o St. Gregory the Great (moral): “The treasures signify the gifts we present to Christ in our daily life. The gold is Christ’s wisdom which shines in us. Frankincense is the prayer and adoration that we give. Myrrh is our daily sacrifice to the Lord.” - Verse 12: “they departed by another way” o Once they come into contact with the Lord of Lords, they do not return the way they came The Flight Into Egypt / The Massacre of the Innocents - Verse 15: Formula Quotation #3 from Hosea 11:1 “I called my son out of Egypt” o Literal: looking back to the nation of Israel coming out of Egypt and look forward to Christ coming from Egypt - Parallel between Moses and Jesus o Both are threatened in their infancy by an edict to kill Hebrew children o Both were saved by a family member (Joseph and Miriam) o Both found protection for “just a time” in Egypt o Both were called back to their birthplace after a time of flight o Both spent 40 days and nights fasting alone in the wilderness o Both were commissioned to promulgate God’s covenant law - Herod had the Hebrew boys under two years old killed o The Church considers these “Holy Innocents” as the first martyrs to die for the Gospel - Verse 17: Formula Quotation #4 from Jeremiah 31:15 “a voice was heard Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children, she refused to be consoled because they were no more.” o Rama is a city five miles north of Jerusalem. It is a place of sorrow and exile. Ramah is like making a reference to “Twin Towers” for the modern hearer. o The Assyrians first devastated the northern tribes in 722 BCE and later the Babylonians conquered the southern tribes in 587. According to Jeremiah 40, Rama became the staging point for the hauling away of the captives to Babylon. o Matthew sees Bethlehem as the new Rama as the Messiah is being carried away. From Egypt to Nazareth - Formula Quotation #5 from Isaiah 11:10 “he shall be called a Nazorean” - Jesus is reliving the history of Israel - All five formula quotations have the same thing: the restoration of Israel - Jesus has come to restore Israel (north), Judah (south) and the Gentiles and finally conclude the Exile.

Application: Have you ever felt like a “stump” with all that meant anything to you or showed promise, cut off? Does the future look particularly bleak? Meditate on and praise the God who raised a “Branch” of new life from the stump that Israel had become. Do you believe he can do a new work in you?

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 2 – Chapters 3 and 4

CHAPTER 3 – John, the Forerunner to the King

The Preaching of John the Baptist - “in the wilderness” o Why is this detail included? o The Jordan River is just northwest of the Dead Sea o Some things are going to happen and some have happened already in the OT o Two major bodies of water: Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee . Sea of Galilee receives water from the north and deposits it to the south . Dead Sea is located 70 miles south of Sea of Galilee and receives water, but has no outlet – water just evaporates. It is extreme rich in minerals but does not support life o This location is essentially in Jericho which is also the lowest landmass on earth o In the Exodus the Israelites “came up out of the water [of the Red Sea]” and after wandering for forty years landed on the eastern shore of the Jordan River at the Plains of Moab, poised to cross and take possession of the Promised Land. . John the Baptist is now situated at this exact location o The people are awaiting the Consolation of Israel (Isaiah 40-55) . What is it? “God will restore you [from the wilderness]” cf. Hosea . “A voice cries out” is a reference to Isaiah 40 – and so it begins! - John’s baptism o Jew’s were used to ritual water cleansing o John’s baptism was a re-enactment of the Exodus event (coming out of bondage) . Speaks of salvation, liberty – a brand new start o “Repent” – metanoyah in Greek (a change in heart followed by a change in conduct) o “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” . “kingdom” is mentioned over fifty times in Matthew  kingdom of God – 4 times / kingdom of heaven 32 times  Why? You don’t mention the name of God – you use an “evasive synonym”  “for God’s sake” versus “for heaven’s sake” - Joshua led Israel across the Jordan in the OT o Jesus is “Joshua” – yeshua - John’s clothing o What he wears tells you about what his vocation is o What he wears is more important than what he says o John is playing the role of Elijah . The Jews believed that Elijah would come again before the Messiah (cf. Malachi) . Also is why the Jews leave an empty seat the Passover Meal (for Elijah) o 2 Kings 2:4 “Elisha, stay here for the Lord has sent me alone to Jericho … the Lord has sent me to the Jordan … (verse 9) Let me inherit a double share of your spirit … Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” . Elijah is taken up at the same place that John is now preaching (dressed as Elijah) . With a double share, Elisha increases as Elijah decreases. . Elisha/Jesus parallels  With this double share, Elisha transforms vessels of oil as Jesus transformed vessels of water into wine  Elisha and Jesus raise a dead child to life  Elisha and Jesus multiply loaves of bread for the hungry  Elisha cleansed Naaman of leprosy, Jesus cleansed a leper . In the Catechism (1222) the Church expresses a belief that the healing of Naaman and the crossing of the Jordan are prefigurements of baptism - Matthew 3:7 – The and Sadducees pay a visit o “bear fruit” that shows your repentance - Matthew 3:13-15 – Jesus is becoming Israel and fulfilling everything in the life of Israel. He didn’t have to be baptized, but he came as child and went to the lowest point on the planet and subjected himself to a baptism of repentance and thus identifies with Israel - Matthew 3:16-17 o This is the language of anointing for kings o Anointing of Saul (1 Samuel 10:6) o Anointing of David (1 Samuel 16:13) o Jesus is now anointed as a king for his kingdom

Application Question: John’s message was “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The kingdom of heaven is here on earth now in a provisional way – in the Church. WE all need to repent, to prepare for Jesus’ coming in our hearts. Have you “borne fruit that befits repentance?” What can you learn from the preaching of John the Baptist?

CHAPTER 4 – The Tempting of the King

Temptation in the Wilderness - The first thing that Jesus does after his baptism is to confront sin. But many Jews were expecting the Messiah to fight (militarily) and liberate Israel. o David, Hezekiah, Josiah, Judas the Maccabean o Instead of confronting the Romans occupying Israel, Jesus went out into the wilderness and confronted a much tougher foe, the devil – the real source of Israel’s problems o Israel was blind to their spiritual exile o It is important to get to the real problem! - As Jesus relives the history of Israel, he will be successful because he trusts in the Father. - 40 is the number of testing o Jesus is symbolically reliving Israel’s forty years in the desert o Remember how Israel went through the Red Sea and then went into forty years of wandering the desert to be tested because of the hardness of their hearts o Through Jesus there will be a real Exodus - Jesus faced three temptations o These are the same temptations that Israel faced in the desert o Quick recap: After crossing the Red Sea, Israel resists going up to the land they are to inherit. God tells them that they shall wander in the desert for forty years (one year for each day they resisted). Those who are age twenty and older will die in the wilderness and those who are under twenty will grow up and then enter the Promised Land. The Book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ instruction to the younger generation. Here he points out three failures of Israel - Matt 4:3 “If you are on the son of God, command these stones to be loaves of bread” o In each temptation the enemy strikes at the identity of Jesus “If you are …” . Cf. Matt 3:17 “This is my beloved Son …” . Most of out temptations will strike at our identity o The first temptation is hunger . Will God really provide for us? Question of security o Exodus 16:2-3 – “would that we have stayed in Egypt with our fleshpots” o Jesus’ response is from Deuteronomy 8:3 - Matt 4:5-7 “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down …” o Now the enemy throws Scripture at Jesus o Testing God o Exodus 17:3 – “give us water to drink … why did you bring us up from Egypt? To kill us? . Moses called this place “Massah” which literally means “test” o The enemy’s quote is from Psalm 91:11-12 . If Jesus had jumped it would have been to see if Psalm 91 was correct . “Lord, if you’ll do such-and-such, then I would know that you really love me” . But he stops at verse 13: “you will tread on the lion and the adder … and the serpent you will trample under your feet” . The devil stopped at verse 12 for a reason! o Jesus’ response is from Deuteronomy 6:16 - Matt 4:8 “All these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me …” o Worshipping a false god o Exodus 32 – The Golden Calf o Jesus’ response is from Deuteronomy 6:13-14 o Cf. James 4:7 “resist the devil and he will flee from you” - In our own lives, are we more like Israel in the desert or more like Jesus in the desert? - Jesus was “tempted” but not “enticed” o Temptation comes from the weakness of the flesh o Enticement comes from concupiscence (unnatural desires) . Lust of the eyes . Lust of the flesh . Pride of life - Trials vs. Temptations (CCC #2847) o Trials are meant to strengthen us o Temptation leads to sin and death - Fortitude (CCC #1808) o Ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good o As a virtue fortitude is not something we are born with but something we must form - The Sign of the Cross (CCC 2157) o Act as child of the father o Satan tempted Jesus’ “filial devotion” o Strengthens us when facing trials and difficulties - Self Knowledge and Disciples (CCC #2340) o Self-knowledge is very important for dealing with temptations o Be wise! o 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation will God bring to you beyond your strength”

Return to Galilee - Zebulon and Naphtali o Since 722 BC there has been no Naphtali! o Ten years prior these two tribes were the first attacked by the Assyrians o Capernaum is situated between Zebulon and Naphtali . Since these were the first to suffer destruction, Jesus’ restoration begins with them

The Calling of the First Four Disciples - Peter, Andrew, James and John - Jesus is beginning to bring the twelve disciples who shall be the Twelve Tribes

Application: How well do you know God’s Word? The author of Psalm 119:11 says ‘I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” How can you do this? How can you resist temptation as Jesus did? If you need courage, remember the words of Hebrews 2:18: “For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.”

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 3 – Chapters 5 - 7

CHAPTER 5 – The Bar is Raised by the King

The - Beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) - OT focus = externals, NT focus = internals - Levels of happiness o Instant gratification . Too much is too much . We are created for more than what instant gratification can satisfy o Personal achievement . Awards, etc o Philanthropy . Giving to others o Union with God . “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You” – St. Augustine - The Sermon on the Mount is the new law of the kingdom - Jesus is leading the Exodus from the true bondage of sin o He now walks up the mount to give the new law as Moses once climbed the mountain to receive the Law o New law, new temple, new priests, etc o Remember all the parallels between Moses and Jesus - People have taken several “views” of the Sermon on the Mount o Perfectionist Perspective (Catholic view) . What we read is exactly what Jesus meant and what Jesus expects is exactly what he expects . Rule for personal conduct o Theory of the Impossible Ideal (Martin Luther) . “We are moved to despair by the imposition of an impossible rule” . In this despair we would cry out to God under the weight of the law and move to the Gospel of Grace o Interim Morality . Reserved for a few right before the Second Coming of the Lord - The Fatherhood of God o The Father is revealed in the Son (cf. Matt 5:9 and 16) o This new law discloses the reality of God’s Fatherhood . This was only foreshadowed in the Old Law . We now become sons and daughters - The Beatitudes describe and reflect perfectly the image of Christ o If you want to describe Jesus, you can do so by describing the beatitudes o Jesus reveals what it is like to be Him - The Beatitudes are not just a string of pithy, clever sayings – they flow into each other, they build on each other - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” o In Hebrew, “blessed” carries the meaning of “happy” o How do you become happy? Become like Christ o CCC #2546 “the beatitudes reveal an order of happiness and grace” o Speaks of humility – “you cannot have other virtues unless you have the virtue of humility” St. Thomas Aquinas o Recognizing our spiritual poverty (i.e. “poor in spirit”) . Humility is recognizing our spiritual condition o Humility is a true self-assessment. In humility we empty ourselves to make room for Christ . Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me …” o This is the pre-condition for entering the kingdom of heaven . Philippians 2:6 “He did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at … he empties himself … he humbled himself …” . CCC #2559 - “Blessed are those who mourn …” o Those who are humble can understand their brokenness and thus they can mourn their loss - “Blessed are the meek …” o We often (incorrectly) think of this as “weakness” o To be meek is to have your strength controlled – to be teachable! . A trained horse does not lose its strength, but rather submits it to training o God trusts the teachable with the world (his kingdom) - “Blessed are those hunger and thirst for righteousness …” o The meek have a thirst for more! o God has created this hunger and he will satisfy o Psalm 63:1-3 “My soul is thirsting for you …” o “God thirsts that you might thirst for him” – St. Augustine o Righteousness is “right standing before God” - “Blessed are the merciful …” o The response of those who are satisfied is to be merciful o We should be eager to show mercy o Happy people are merciful people o Unmerciful people don’t walk in the previous beatitudes - “Happy are the pure of heart …” o Purity of heart is a capacity for truth o CCC # 2518: “pure in heart refers to those who have attuned their intellects and wills to the demands of God’s holiness chiefly in three areas: charity, chastity, and love of truth” - “Blessed are the peacemakers …” o We become instruments of God’s peace o This is the product of the previous beatitudes - “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake …” o Doesn’t this seem opposite of the OT? . Blessing from the Lord was communicated through land, family, etc . Now blessedness is measured by persecution . In the OT there was reward for obedience (worldly goods) . The OT was only a shadow that pointed to the greater reality (spiritual goods) o CCC #1729:God gave the people what they wanted in order to get the people to trust Him when He told them what they needed . God gives us what we need wrapped in what we want o When we are persecuted and persevere we have to love God for his sake and not for our benefit

Raising the Bar (Matthew 5:17-48) - The Old Law was given negatively (i.e. “you shall not …”) - Moving from a focus on the external to the internal - In the Old Law you could be faithful by conformity o Now we are faithful by our love of God

Application: In his words regarding adultery and lust, Jesus calls us to a radical removal of things in our lives that lead us to sin and keep us from living as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. If you’re struggling with a particular sin: what leads you into it? What can you do to “pluck out” the offending member?

CHAPTER 6 – Personal Piety - Piety has not always had a good meaning, sometimes “over-religious” but it really speaks of true devotion - Almsgiving, Prayer, and Fasting are the three major forms of piety in Judaism, Christianity and Islam - Cf. 1 John 2:15-16 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world … “ o Three major problems in our loves . Lust in our eyes . Lust in the flesh . Pride of life (disordered self-trust) o These forms of piety are aids in combating these sins - Jesus is speaking to a people who practiced their faith to be seen rather than doing it for God. He is not denying communal prayer or fasting, but is encouraging us to have the proper motivation Almsgiving in Secret (verses 1-4) - Verse 1: “Beware of practicing your piety before others” o Here piety is the same word for righteousness o Personal piety is a relationship between you and your Father o Reward comes from God . God promises us three times in this chapter that He will reward us (verses 4, 6, and 18) . Whatever we do, our motivation should be to please Him . Think of intimacy shared in marriage – this is not be shared in public, but in private because its not meant for others! o Almsgiving is also a form of penance . Combats the lust of the eyes (“I want that”) by giving . CCC #1434: “The interior penance of the Christian can be expressed in many ways. Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms … which express conversion to God, oneself and others …”

Prayer in Secret (verses 5-6) - Did you know that one-quarter of the Catechism is devoted to prayer? - “Go in private” does not mean don’t pray publicly but is telling us what our heart should be like when we pray o Private prayer is a complement to public prayer, not a rejection of it. - “What you are in private is what you really are” - “hypocrite” simply means “an actor” – someone who plays the role of someone they are not - If we are going to live the Beatitudes we must “go away and pray”

How to Pray, the Lord’s Prayer (verses 7-15) - Provides a framework for prayer - “The prayer is so perfect that it sums up in a few words everything man needs to ask God for” – St. Augustine - The first half is directed towards God, the second half is directed towards our needs - This prayer could be called “what it means to call God Father” o Familial context o 2 Peter 1:4 – “share in divine nature” - “Forgive our sins as we forgive others” o In order to find forgiveness we must first be people of mercy - CCC #2783 – “The Lord’s Prayer reveals us to ourselves at the same time that it reveals the Father to us.” - Prayer helps us combat our pride

Fasting in Secret (verses 16-18) - Fasting is not about putting on a show - Reminder to focus on the inner-life - Fasting is denying ourselves so that we can position our hearts to hear Him and focus on the things that are more important than the good things we are giving up

True Treasures (verses 19-21) - “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be”

The eye, the lamp of the body (verses 22-23) - “If your eye is sound” - First century Hebrew idiom o Sound/single eye – generous o Evil eye - stingy God and money (verse 24) - Our hearts yearn for treasure that will bring us security and happiness - There is one way to be truly happy and secure – by laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven - In life we plan for retirement … are we planning fore eternal retirement? - CCC #2113 – “Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship … it consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God.” Trust in providence (verses 25-34) - “Do not be anxious about your life” - “… your heavenly Father feeds them …” - “seek first the kingdom” - Don’t worry because your Father knows what you need - Worry can be a sin because it’s a distrust in God

Application: When Jesus speaks of the traditional works of mercy – almsgiving, prayer and fasting – he is combating a tendency to do these things so as to appear holy before others rather than doing them from the heart. Today we are more likely to hear a homily on why we should do these at all, rather than why not to flaunt them. Are these acts of piety a part of your life, or do you just do them now and then? Do you do them out of duty or love? What can you consciously do to do them regularly and from the heart?

CHAPTER 7 – Choices in the Kingdom - Remember that Jesus is the new Moses and has gone up on the mount to give the New Law

Do Not Judge (verses 1-6) - Mentioning an opinion is often interpreted as judging - The text deals with judgments that occur within everyday, ordinary lives o People who set themselves up as “moral guardians” or “critics” o Jesus is the one who judges - Cf. Matt 5:20 “righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees” o Jesus targets them as the ones who have created a moral climate of judging - Jesus condemns people judging people’s faults - Difference between judging and prudence/discernment o Cf. :37 – “judge not and you will not be judged … forgive and you will be forgiven … the measure with which you give will be the measure you receive” - Temptation to play God – being a hypocrite by acting as someone you are not - Jesus is not saying we cannot help a brother take the speck out of their eye o We must tend to our own failures first - “Try to acquire those virtues which you think your brother lacks and you will no longer see their defects because you will not have them yourselves” – St. Augustine - Examination is critical so as to not defame what is holy - It is not hard to destroy, but construction requires a master - “don’t throw your pearls before dogs …” o Be discerning o “dogs” was an abusive, derogatory term for Gentiles/Non-Believers o Do not throw your pearls to those who have not received the necessary foundation for receiving and appreciating them

Effective Prayer (verses 7-11) - We are not eager enough to ask for the right things - James 4:3 – “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask wrongly so that you can spend it on your passions.” - James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously … but let him ask in faith with no doubting …” - CCC #2609 – “Once committed to conversion the heart learns to pray in faith. Faith is a filial adherence to God beyond what we feel and understand.” - We can seek and knock because Christ is “the way … and the door” - Filial boldness … “because your Father …” - God is concerned about the everyday things of our everyday lives - God is a Father, not a dictator

The Golden Rule (verse 12) - Can you imagine how your family life would change if everyone did what they wanted others to do to them? - Other religions taught this - Jesus was different because underneath there exists the love of the Father

The Two Ways (verses 13-14) - The Gospel requires us to make a choice - “Enter by the narrow gate” o Dangerous thinking happens when we think our sins “aren’t that bad” o Don’t try to broaden the narrow gate - Deut 30:15ff - Moses brings out the two ways: “see I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil …” - CCC #1696: “The way of Christ leads to life. A contrary way leads to destruction … importance of moral decisions for our salvation”

False Prophets (verses 15-20) - You will know them by your fruits - Returns to the theme of discernment versus judgment o Beware but do not judge - We must be aware as Christians of wolves in sheep’s clothing so as to enter by the narrow gate - Watch out for those who will lead you off-track - The test of the prophet was to wait and see if their words would come to pass o Look at the life of the person

The True (verses 21-27) - True obedience is how we build our house on rock - Deut 6: “Hear O Israel” o Hearing means listening and obeying - “wise man who built his rock on rock” o Reference to Solomon who built the Temple - The enduring house is your soul grounded on Christ

The Amazement of the Crowds - Jesus did not teach in the name of any other rabbi - First-Person Authority

Application: Reflect for a moment on your own life and family. What kind of spiritual foundation have you laid, and how are you fortifying it? If you feel as though your house is “built on sand,” what can you do to build a stronger foundation? Do you have a plan?

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 4 – Chapters 8-10

CHAPTER 8 – The King’s Power Demonstrated - Beginning of the Second Narrative and the Ten Miracles - Power over sickness, demons, nature and death Cure of a Leper (verses 1-4) - Jesus could have spoken this healing, but he chose to reach out and touch the leper o In the Old Covenant sin was the superior power. The holy person who touched a sinner was defiled and the sinner was not made holy o The force of sin was stronger than the force of righteousness - The title Pharisee comes from parush – holiness by separation o God separated them so they would not be defiled - Leprosy was a sign of sin - In this era, God’s people can only be holy if they are separated from outsiders o You had to very careful about where you lived and who you came into contact with - The home was considered a “small temple” - Began to take pride in their separation - “The law was given so that grace would seek and grace was given so that the law would keep” – St. Augustine - We can’t define our holiness by who we stay away from - For Jesus, holiness is mercy o Mercy is God’s greatest attribute o The Cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s mercy o We mistakenly assume that leniency is the same as mercy o Mercy is not about letting people “off the hook” - “Leprosy is a sign of mortal sin that cut off participation in the covenant community” – St. Augustine - Cleansing of the leper is a sign of reconciliation o Not just cleansing but reconciliation/restoration to the community - Jesus sends the leper to the priests o Sign of church authority - Restoration of an Israelite

Cure of the Centurion’s Servant (verses 5-13) - The centurion’s faith amazed Jesus o Wouldn’t it be nice to amaze Jesus? o The centurion had the right understanding of the nature of the kingdom of God - Verse 8 – “Lord, I am not worthy …” o We use these words in every celebration of Mass - Verse 9 – “I am a man subject to authority …” o Recognizes that Jesus has authority - Verse 11 – “sit at table” o Alludes to a great messianic feast mentioned in the OT o Isaiah 25:6-9 o Hints at the universal spread of the Gospel to all the nations o This is a fulfillment of the third promise to Abraham (cf. Genesis 12 – Land, a royal kingdom, worldwide blessing) - Restoration of a Gentile

Cure of Peter’s Mother-In-Law (verses 14-15) - “This was the reason Peter denied Jesus three times” – Fulton Sheen - Jesus is restoring/healing so that they can serve - Remember Exodus: “freed for a purpose” - Verse 17: “He took our sicknesses away …” o Isaiah 53 - This is the only healing that Jesus initiates himself

Hardships of the Apostolic Calling (verses 18-22) - Jesus uses a phrase for himself – “Son of Man” o Uses this more than any other title o Hint at Daniel 7:13-14 – The highest title for the Messiah o In Daniel 8 Daniel has a vision of four beasts coming out of the sea . Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome o Jesus is clearly saying “I am God” o He is only asked at one point if he is God (Matt 26) . Jesus normally evades the question except in this case where he is under oath - “Let the dead bury their dead” o Jesus is not saying to forsake caring for parents o Hyperbole – Jesus is making a point . Rabbis taught that there was one that took precedence over daily prayer – burying a loved one o Jesus is saying that what he is doing takes precedence over everything else

The Calming of the Storm (verses 23-27) - First miracle over nature - This story recalls Jonah o Both set sail on a boat o Both are caught in a storm o Both are found asleep o Both are accompanied by frightened sailors o Both sets of sailors call upon the Lord o Both are instrumental in bringing about a great calm o Both sets of sailors marveled at the outcome

The Demoniacs of Gadara (verses 28-34) - About six miles southeast of the Sea of Galilee - Largely Gentile area o People weren’t familiar with Jesus - In the OT, beasts would rise from the sea o Jesus is demonstrating his power and authority over the beasts - Clearly points out that regardless if you liked Jesus or not, he was still a force to be reckoned with

CHAPTER 9 – New Wine, New Wineskins - As members of the kingdom of God we have a great responsibility, but we also have been given the power to do so. Sometimes we rely on our own power though instead of upon God’s power - Christianity is not just a set of beliefs but is Jesus revealing Himself and working through us

Cure of a Paralytic (verses 1-8) - Demonstrates the cooperation of the kingdom of God o They brought a paralytic … when Jesus saw their faith … o Reminder of the importance of the community - “Take heart my son, your sins are forgiven” o Jesus is imaging the Father o 1st Century Judaism believed that only God could forgive sins o As we have sin the OT often connected sickness and sin . Psalm 107:17 – some were sick because of their iniquities . But we know that sickness is not always the result of sin - Physical sickness is bad but it does not compare to sickness of sin o Physical healing is often a precursor to spiritual healing - We are lame and cannot “get up” to move ourselves toward heaven - “rise” – theme of resurrection - Why were the people so amazed? o They knew that only God could forgive sins but Jesus is obviously demonstrating that God is granting authority to man - Basis for Confession o God has given power and authority to a human person to release someone from the bond of sin o Cf. John 20:23 – “If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven …”

The Calling of Matthew (verses 9-13) - “he rose and followed him” - Tax collectors were perpetually unclean because they were in constant contact with Gentiles - Tax collectors also extracted more than the just amount to line their own pockets - The Pharisees saw themselves as the physicians of the day – they made people well by bringing them into a right relationship with God o Jesus casts himself as a physician o They are physicians who are not allowed to touch the patient - Quotes Hosea 6 – “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” o Context is the restoration of Israel, Judah and the Gentiles

A Discussion on Fasting (verses 14-17) - Why don’t you fast? o Because the bridegroom is present o Who is the bridegroom? God . Isaiah 54:5 – “For your maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name” . Jeremiah 3:20 – “Surely as a faithless wife leaves her husband so have you been faithless to me O Israel.” . Hosea 2:16-19 – “In that day you will call me your husband …” o As Catholics fast before Mass and break this fast only when the bridegroom is present to us … “this is my body …” - Wineskins o Old and New Covenant reference o The New Covenant cannot fit into the Old because it will burst o In the allegorical sense, the old temple will be destroyed and Christ, the new Temple, is coming o In the moral sense we are born again and have been made new . Jeremiah 31-33 predicted this new covenant . Psalm 102:26 – “the old covenant will wear out like an old garment”

Cure of the Woman with a Hemorrhage (verses 18-22) - The woman is unclean because of her bleeding o Very intense encounter - She touches the fringe of Jesus’ garment o The prayer shawl was used to cover themselves during prayer and represented God’s Word covering them o Tzit-tzit were the tassels hanging from the four corners of their undergarment . These tassels were to remind one of the commandments . Were tied in a series of knots totaling 613 – the number of commandments in the OT . First century Jews believed that the fringe of these tassels on the Messiah would have healing powers

The Official’s Daughter Raised to Life (verses 23-26)

Cure of the Two Blind Men - Jesus did not heal everyone then nor does he do so today o Whether we are healed or not we are victorious - “See that no one knows it” o This is not reverse psychology (as some have suggested) o Consistent with his message from the Sermon on the Mount . “Do it for your Father”

Cure of a Demoniac (verses 32-34) - Turning point of the Gospel o The leadership now comes out against Jesus o Jesus will soon turn to parables - “he had compassion for them because they were harassed and bothered … like sheep without a shepherd”

CHAPTER 10 – Jesus Commissions the Twelve - After performing the Ten Miracles establishing His authority, Jesus commissions the Twelve to continue His mission - John Paul II’s Familiaris Consortio – “The Eucharist is the source of apostolic zeal” o The family is to be involved in changing the world through its service o We can’t go out and feed others if we haven’t first been fed o We must go out in the power of the Spirit (cf. Acts 1) - Chapter 10 is about going out and exercising the strength God gives us - “Go make disciples” – talmid in Hebrew = “students” The Mission of the Twelve (verses 1-16) - Missionary “sermon” - “first is Simon” o He is always listed first - The Kingdom is at hand - Jesus gives the disciples the same authority he had prevailed demonstrated (healing and exorcism) o To this point, Jesus has been doing everything. But now the disciples are called to “do the work” o Being an instrument of God does not usually involve great acts or feats but rather simple actions done in love with fidelity to God - Twelve Leaders o Twelve Tribes of Israel . Restoring Israel . There have not been twelve tribes since 722 BC when the 10 northern tribes were taken into exile by the Assyrians . The OT prophets’ message was that God would restore the twelve tribes - Apostles … “one who is sent” o Gives them His authority - In verse 6, he directs them to go only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel o Order of salvation history o Sends them first to those who first separated - “shake the dust off your feet” o Custom practiced when returning to Israel from pagan/Gentile countries o Derogatory o Sense of Judgment - Warning of Persecution in verse 16 o As Jesus’ life is a recapitulation of Israel’s life, so too the disciples/Christians will re- live Jesus’ life (the Book of Acts) o Be shrewd/wise but not manipulative, be innocent but not naïve

The Missionaries Will Be Persecuted (verses 17-25) - “When they deliver you up … don’t be anxious” (verse 19) o A trusting “yes” to the Lord o It is not you who speak but the spirit of your Father who speaks (verse 20) - Verse 23 – “you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes” o Jesus promises to come again within the life of the apostles o “Generation” = 40 years o Referencing the Destruction of the Temple in 70 AD - Verse 25 – “Beelzebul” o Philistine god (2 Kings 1:2-16” o “Prince of Baal” o Jews changed the name to “Lord of the Flies” ie. “Lord of the dung” o Becomes Prince of the Demons

Open and Fearless Speech (verses 26-33) - The most repeated commandment of the Lord is “do not be afraid” o First words of Pope John Paul II after his election as Pontiff - Verse 31 – “Fear not …” - Persecution is not to be feared because Satan cannot force spiritual death on the soul – only we can do that o Contrast between earthly and spiritual life o CCC #363 – the term soul also refers to the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value - The message brings division o Remember the principle of continuity … o Jesus does not desire division, but the reality of his message is that it will bring about division o Cf. Micah 7:6 “mothers and fathers” . Micah predicts that there will always be division when God does something new o Cannot love mother and father more than Christ . CCC #2232 – “family ties are important but not absolute … the first vocation of the Christian is to follow Christ” - Verse 38 – “He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me …” o JPII – “the only way that you can find yourself is to give your life away” o Adam failed to lay down his life in the garden - Faithfulness will involve self-sacrifice and denial

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 5 – Chapters 11-13

Review and Context: Chapter 10 wrapped up Book 2 of Matthew’s Gospel with Jesus’ missionary instructions to the twelve newly-appointed apostles. Having demonstrated his power over nature and sin and death, he turned his attention toward getting out the news of the kingdom through these apostles, on whom he bestowed his own power and authority to heal illness and cast out demons. Imagine for a moment the roller-coaster of their emotions as he first announced they would share in his power, then told them to expect the same negative reception he’d gotten, then fortified them against certain persecution. His answer is the most frequently occurring promise of the : Do not be afraid. Those who persecute you cannot touch your soul, and God has overcome the world.

From giving his missionary instructions, Jesus went on to confront the very people who gave him, and would give the apostles, the most trouble. The discourse those encounters leads up to centers on parables that help further define what God’s kingdom is all about and who belongs.

* Review your notes from the previous section. What fears keep you from sharing the good news of God’s Kingdom? What in the last section might help you face them and move on?

CHAPTERS 11 and 12 – Jesus Confronts an Evil Generation - Jesus begins to turn up the rhetoric against the religious leaders - John the Baptist begins wondering about a few things – is this the Messiah? o Jesus’ list of things being seen are all listed in Isaiah regarding the Suffering Servant o Jesus is doing the same things that Isaiah’s Servant was to do . Isaiah 35:4-6, Isaiah 61:1-2 . CCC 549 “ … Jesus performs Messianic signs” - Jesus asks the people why they went out into the desert, what did they hope to see? o Quotes Malachi 3:1 “Look, I am going to send my messenger before you …” - Elijah was the greatest prophet of the Old Testament o John the Baptist comes in the spirit of Elijah as the forerunner of the Messiah o Elijah prepared the way for Elisha – who did even greater works o This narrative shows the seriousness of rejecting John the Baptist - Jesus condemns his contemporaries (Matt 11:16ff) o Jesus is exposing the superficial leadership of the day o He will introduce the idea that he is the true shepherd, the true leadership o Compares the leadership to children playing games in the street and expecting everyone else to follow you – but no one is following . Leadership wants to blame their follows . They do not have the deeds to justify their behavior - Jesus begins to upbraid certain cities (Matt 11:20ff) o “Woe to you Chorazin …” . “woe” is a judgment o Capernaum is Jesus’ headquarters . Physical sin is nothing compared to spiritual sin - The Good News revealed to the simple o Some words of comfort o Discussion turns toward the lifting of burdens o Jesus invites those in trouble to come to him . Our anxiety can immobilize us – get up and go to Christ! o A yoke was something that was put on oxen to steer them - In the Old Covenant “rest” meant that you could not lift burdens o In the New Covenant there is power to lift burdens with the yoke of Christ - Picking Corn on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1ff) o You don’t lift burdens on the Sabbath o Only priests are allowed to “work” and lift burdens on the Sabbath o There will be new priests in the new kingdom and this story introduces them o “Your disciples are doing what is unlawful …” . “Haven’t you ever read what David did … but only for the priests?” . 1 Samuel 21 . Jesus springs a trap for the Pharisees by casting them in the role of Doeg the Edomite who is spying on the king  Saul is king but David has secretly been anointed as the next king. Doeg is spying on David.  Doeg reports to Saul who sends soldiers and wipes out the priests of Nob who provided David with bread . Jesus is claiming that the Pharisees are spying him (the king)  You are spying on the king and these men of mine are the priests who are permitted to work on the sabbath and lift the burdens of the people o NB: In Mark’s version Abiathar is the high priest, not Ahimalech . Abiathar is Ahimalech’s son and was the last priest under Saul . Mark is not making a mistake but is rather making a point . “Your days are numbered” o David was able to eat the bread because he was a king and a priest. Jesus and his disciples can eat the bread because he is a king and the disciples are priests o “Something greater than the Temple is here.” (Matt 12:7) o During the United Kingdom of 1 and 2 Samuel and the first 11 chapters of 1 Kings God gives the people the king they desired though He desired to be their king Himself. . God gives the people what they want (king, temple) for now but plans to destroy these types when the real mccoy shows up – Jesus. - In verse 14 we begin to see how the leaders start planning to destroy Jesus.

Jesus and Beelzebub (Matt 12:22ff) - Attributing the work of God to Satan - The unpardonable sin - CCC 1864 - Not that God won’t forgive you but you have placed yourself in a place to refuse the grace of God.

Sign of Jonah (Matt 12:38:ff) - Why didn’t Jonah want to go to Nineveh? - Because he knew that God was going to use the Assyrians to put the royal spanking on the Northern Kingdom (the prophets had already proclaimed this). - Jonah 3:4 “In forty days I shall destroy Nineveh” o Some people repented o One day is equal to a year o In 40 years Nineveh was destroyed - 40 years after this Gospel passage the Romans come and destroy the Temple o Jerusalem had a chance to repent and only some did - Chapters 11 and 12 are about the end of the old regime o In Chapter 13 Jesus will turn to parables o Parables are not cute stories – they were used when there was corrupt leadership

APPLICATION: Are you carrying a burden that is too heavy for you? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” says the Lord. Pray and ask God to show you what it means to exchange it his yoke that is easy.

CHAPTER 13 – Parables about the Kingdom

Review and Context: Matthew 13 is Jesus’ third discourse. Made up of a series of parables about the kingdom of heaven, it follows on a narrative section in which Jesus confronts his generation with their failure to repent and receive the good news of the kingdom, and in which the Jewish leaders begin to challenge his authority and power.

Review your notes from the last section – What did you learn about the difference between those who come to Jesus and those who reject him?

Parables used to confront corrupt leadership - Judges 9: Jotham speaking to Abimalech - 2 Samuel 12: David, Bathsheba and Nathan - Parables are also used to draw to the listener into the story - Allows Jesus to subtly get across his point - Parables are used 48 times in the - Matthew’s parables convey one central thought: the kingdom is hidden o The first set of parables is given to the crowds o The second set is given to the apostles o Theme of patience and waiting

Parable of the Sower (verses 4-9)

Why Jesus Speaks in Parables (verses 10-17) - Jesus refers to Isaiah 6:9-11 o “Go and say to this people hear and hear but do not understand … how long O Lord? Until cities lie waste” o Isaiah was told to preach judgment to the Southern Kingdom (Judah) for their covenant infidelity o Jesus is hinting that the current rulers are guilty of covenant infidelity o “To hear” in Hebrew is shema . Deut 6: Hear O Israel … . Connection of hearing and doing . Example of child being told not to eat cookies and when they do the parent says “didn’t you hear me?” o Jesus is proclaiming that something great will come of something small but not until “the big tree falls”

The Parable of the Sower Explained (verses 18-23) - About hearing the Word of God - How many of us are guilty of hearing the Word of God but not hearing the Word of God? o Impeded by concerns of the world o Making the Word take root takes focus (Heb: kavanah)

The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds (verses 24-30) - These weeds just may be the “darnel plant” o Darnel is a slightly poisonous plant that resembles wheat particularly in its early stages o At that stage its hard to tell the difference between the darnel and wheat - The kingdom of God is not a group of people who all think perfectly in sync with each other o Fight the urge to be gardeners anxious to pull the weeds o Our job is not to pull weeds but to rather to fertilize the soil - In the end Jesus will call upon the reapers to separate the weeds and wheat, but not until then and not by us - Jesus’ kingdom takes time to grow o Wouldn’t it be terrible to weed out a young Christian who is struggling and making mistakes just because you think they’re a weed?

The Parable of the Mustard Seed (verses 31-32) - Mustard seeds are almost microscopically small! - Trees in the OT had significance o Trees were used as a metaphor for great nations o Daniel 4:10-12 o Ezekiel 17:22-24 - Birds landing in the trees represent Gentile nations - Small little Israel will grow into a place where the whole world will find a resting place

Parable of the Yeast/Leaven (verse 33) - Three measures of flour equals about 50 pounds - Such a little leaven will effect that entire load - Example: Mother Teresa o Was told that she would not be successful forming a community. She goes into a depraved situation and comes to influence the entire world - Be faithful in the little things and pay not attention to the naysayers o Take the high ground don’t get caught up in petty battles

Parable of the Darnel Explained - Jesus begins to speak exclusively to the disciples - Jesus is sowing the sons of the kingdom, the weeds are the sons of the evil one. - We must expect to find bad seed wherever we go

Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl (verses 44-46) - Our lives can get cluttered with lots of things that just don’t satisfy our hunger - We are looking for a better life - Finding that one thing in life that matters

APPLICATION: Is your heart like the “good soil” in which the seed of the Word can grow readily? You might look at different aspects of your life in light of the four types of soil described in Matthew 13: is the soil of your moral life receptive to the Word? Or is it rocky and unreceptive, or chocked with care? How can you make sure you hear and understand and bear fruit?

How would you summarize the third “book” of Matthew (chapters 11-13)?

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 6 – Chapters 14-18 (Book 4)

Review and Context: The parables of the kingdom in chapter 13 function as a hinge between the two halves of Matthew’s gospel. They draw a “line in the sand” between those who accept Jesus’ message and those who reject it. With them comes a shift to growing opposition among Jesus’ enemies and a fresh comprehension of the truth among his followers. Taken together, the parables paint an interesting and perhaps unexpected picture of the kingdom: it will start out very small, like the tiniest of seeds, and hidden so it must be searched for. One who seeks the kingdom must be willing to give up everything in order to attain it and be confident that it will be worth every penny and more. While on earth it will contain “weeds” and “wheat” –both “good” and “bad” people— together. People living in the kingdom are to exercise the same sort of mercy and patience that they receive from God. They must be patient and refrain from the temptation to “pull out the weeds” prematurely. Judgment belongs to God.

* Review your notes from the previous section. What in the parables was meaningful to you personally?

CHAPTERS 14 and 15 – Instructions to the Twelve - Looking at how the kingdom is manifested in real life - Chapter 14 centers around the “Feeding of the Multitudes” which occurs in all four gospels o Points to the Eucharist John the Baptist and Herod (Matt 14:1-12) - Why does this story take place here? Why do we move from John’s martyrdom to the feeding of the multitudes? o Remember that John the Baptist comes in the spirit of Elijah o 2 Kings 1:6ff . Elisha is Elijah’s understudy . Elisha asks for a double-share of Elijah’s spirit and then goes on to do greater things than Elijah . 2 Kings 4  The multiplying of oil (verses 1-7)  The raising of the dead (verses 32-34)  Multiplication of bread (verses 42-44) o The feeding of the thousands marks the end of Elijah/John and the beginning of Elisha/Jesus

The Multiplication of the Loaves/the five-thousand (Matt 14:13-21) - Jesus has been teaching on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee (northwest of Capernaum) - The disciples solution to the hunger of the crowds is “send them away” o Jesus replies “you give them something to eat” - This story tells how God can do great things with small things o Remember that we learned in chapter 13 that the kingdom is small o Jesus is demonstrating how he will bring about great things - Essentially the disciples say “we don’t have anything/enough” o Jesus tells them to go “see what they have” – take an inventory o Jesus takes what they have and offers it back to the disciples and instructs them to feed the crowds . We can stand around and talk about religion or we can turn and make it a reality - If the little that you have is in the hands of Jesus then you have enough. - “Twelve baskets left over” o Twelve Tribes of Israel o 5,000 = Five Books of Moses o “The Eucharist is enough to feed all of Israel” o In chapter 15 Jesus feeds the 4,000 (four corners of the earth) with 7 baskets left over (fullness, completion, perfection).

Jesus Walks on Water (Matt 14:22:33 - CCC 2602: about what Jesus prays when goes up the mountain o “his words and his works are the visible manifestation of his prayer in secret” - Peter calls to Jesus “bid me to come to you” o Bid me to do what you are doing o The moment of truth comes when Peter chooses not to sit in the boat but actually steps out on the water . Peter is the only one in the boat who knew that was Jesus - If you’re going to walk on water you have to get out of the boat! o We shall do great things when trust in God

The Traditions of the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-7) - As Catholics we are often accused of nullifying the Word of God by “adding” tradition - “Tradition” means “passing on” - Jesus is condemning a specific tradition (corbon) o Condemning specific traditions that nullify the Word of God o Example of caring for your elderly parents

CHAPTER 16 – Jesus Establishes the Church

Review and Context: In his two feed miracles, Jesus demonstrated what he taught in his parables about the kingdom: it might look small at first, but it possesses great power and potential for growth when his disciples step out in faith and cooperate. In these miracles, Jesus demonstrated for his disciples what he will charge them to do before he leaves: to take the power and life of the kingdom first to the Jews, but then to the Gentiles and all the world. We see this work continued today in the supernatural distribution of Jesus’ body and blood. The Eucharist, transformed in the hands of priests around the world, provides spiritual nourishment to all in the Church.

Chapter 16 continues Matthew’s account of Jesus’ travels and ministry and instructing the Twelve. It is a pivotal chapter in which Jesus gives authority to Peter to be the first “prime minister” of the kingdom. It also contains the first time Jesus announces his coming death and resurrection.

* Review your notes from the previous section. What is there in the example of Jesus set in Matthew 14-15 that you can follow in your life? The Pharisees Ask for a Sign (verses 1-4) - Up until now Jesus has avoided the subject of death o Jesus has things to do BEFORE dying for our sins – establishing the Church, authority, teachings, etc. - Pharisees are coming to test Jesus - “Show us a sign” o NB: The Temple was built by Solomon. The kingship of Israel was something the people wanted as was the Temple. But these are provisional, just types of the real reality that will come. Jesus is the real king, the real dwelling place (temple). o Jesus’ teaching will now begin to erode the temple (in order to replace it) o Jesus calls this “an evil and adulterous generation … no sign shall be given it but the sign of Jonah” . Option 1: Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days (Jesus/tomb) . Option 2: Jonah 3:4 “Jonah began to go into the city going a days journey and he cried “yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown”  Jesus has slowly been hinting at the destruction of the Temple

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees (verses 5-12)

Peter’s Profession of Faith: His Pre-Eminence (verses 13-20) - “Son of Man” is a code-word name for the Messiah (cf. Daniel 7) - “You are Peter and upon this Rock I will build my church …” - What is Jesus doing “giving keys?” - “Simon bar-Jonah” / Simon “son of” Jonah o Peter’s father is named John, not Jonah o Biblical name changes signified a vocation change . Abram – Abraham . Jacob – Israel . Peter goes from Apostle to Pope - “church” / ekklesia in Greek / qahal in Hebrew o The assembly of Israel in the desert o The Church is “the new Exodus” o There was a tradition that a stone served as a cover to sheol . Creation, light, the foundation of the temple, etc began on this stone o The term rock is used metaphorically in the OT for protection and refuge referring to God and leaders . The rock can be a man . Isaiah 51:1-2 “Abraham is a rock” o The rock the Temple was built on is on Mount Moriah (2 Chronicles 3:1) . The Jews believed that when the waters parted after creation this stone was the first to appear. . They also believed that this was the stone Abraham planned to offer Isaac . Cf Matthew 12 – (Solomon) Jesus is going to build a temple . Cf Matthew 7 – The wise man builds his house on rock . Solomon was the great architect. Jesus say “I will build my Church.” There is something “greater than Solomon here.” - Where does the concept of a pope come from? - Al-Biet means “home” / Bethlehem “house of Bread” o This was an office in the Davidic court o Isaiah 22:15ff – Isaiah is upbraiding an al-biet . “come, go to the steward who is over the household … I will thrust you from your office and you will be cast down from your station. In that day I will call another person, Eliakim, and I will clothe him with your robe and will bind your girdle on him … and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David, he shall open and none shall shut … they will hang on him the whole weight of his father’s house” . Shevnah is replaced by Eliakim . When the king was gone the al-biet ran the kingdom and exercised the full power of the king . Office . Robe . Authority . Referred to as Father . Possessed the keys to the house of David  Receives authority as the leader of the Church  John 16 – Jesus gives Peter the Spirit who will “reveal all things to you” . Power to bind and loose  Juridical term associated with rabbinic canon law  Allows authority to permit or prohibit  Peter is entitled to more than being the gate-keeper to heaven – the power to legislate . A throne of honor - The most central question of faith is “by what authority do men speak?” o Identifying Christ’s authority present in the world will provide clarity to all religious discourse o God has always established his authority. When it wasn’t received (cf. Judges) there was chaos) o CCC 881 o The kingdom and the church are synonymous

First Prophecy of the Passion (verses 21-23) - Once Jesus establishes the leadership of the Church he then begins speaking of his Passion o The time has come

CHAPTER 17 – The Transfiguration

Review and Context: Jesus said in Matthew 7 that the wise man will build his house upon a rock and it will withstand the onslaught of the elements. Centuries earlier, King David’s son Solomon, blessed with wisdom above all other men, built a house for the Lord—the Jerusalem Temple—on a massive rock. But one greater than Solomon is here, Jesus Christ. And in Matthew 16 he expressed his intention to build his house, the Church, upon the “Rock” of Peter. The kingdom that Jesus is establishing on earth is a spiritual fulfillment of the kingdom God established in Israel. This is the fulfillment of God’s original promise to David, that he would make David’s name great and establish his house.

At the close of chapter 16, Jesus told his disciples for the first time that he must suffer and die and rise again. They don’t yet understand. The people of Israel have been suffering for 500 years. They are looking for someone to deliver them from suffering. But they are pre-conditioned to think of kingdom and glory in earthly terms and Jesus must teach them what they mean in heavenly terms. How will Jesus do this, even as he transfers the authority of the kingdom to them? The events of chapter 17, which bring the narrative section of Book 4 to a close and which lead into his discourse on life in the Christian community in chapter 18, will be an important first step.

Review your notes from the last session: What was the most important thing you learned about God’s kingdom on earth?

Remember that the structure of the Gospel of Matthew is important - The five Books of Matthew are a reflection of the Pentateuch o This is a new beginning for Israel - Jesus recapitulates/relives the life of Israel successfully o Jesus reconstitutes Israel around himself - Chapter 1 - Genealogy o Jesus is the “son of David” o Point: Gentiles are being included o Difficulties in history are not an impediment to God’s grace - Chapter 2 - Infancy Narratives o Parallels between Joseph of Exodus and Joseph of the Gospels - Chapter 3 – Elijah/Elisha and John/Jesus o John shows up in the same place where Elijah went up to heaven - Chapter 4 – /Testing in the Wilderness o Jesus comes up out of the water of the Jordan and goes into the desert o Faces three temptations . Answers from the Pentateuch - Chapters 5-7 – Jesus gives the new law of the Covenant o Sermon on the Mount o Parallels between Jesus and Moses o The Beatitudes . Describe and reflect Christ . Each flows into the next beatitude (not random)  Humility is the chief virtue o Six Antitheses . “You have heard … but I tell you …” - Chapters 8-9 – Ten Miracle Stories o The power of the kingdom over demons, nature and death itself o Redefines what holiness is . Not separation, but mercy . Pharisee comes from parush meaning “separate ones”  Defined themselves by who they did not associate with - Chapter 10 – Jesus sends his disciples - Chapters 11-12 – Jesus establishes a new kingdom with new priests o “Something greater than … is here” - Chapter 13 – Jesus turns to parables o Employed in corrupt leadership - Chapters 14-15 – Multiplication of the Loaves o Jesus walks on water . Peter wanted to know “is this the Christ?” . The only way you can know if God is calling you to something – get out of the boat o Jesus feeds the 5,000 (Israel) and 4,000 (Gentiles) - Chapter 16 – Peter becomes the first pope

The Transfiguration - Jesus’ glory is hidden - Two accounts o and Matthew 17 o Luke is the only one who tells us what they talked about in their discussion . Luke 9:30 – “spoke of his departure which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem” . “departure” is the word for “exodus” . Exodus from sin and return to the Father . Revelation 11 – Jerusalem is the new Egypt  Two witnesses (one can stop rain and one can turn water into blood – Elijah and Moses)  “the city of their lord which is called Sodom and Egypt”  Lot made an exodus from Sodom / Moses made exodus from Egypt  Confirms the work of Christ o Two witnesses o New Exodus o New Church o New Rock - Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets - Jesus is about to lead the real exodus o Parallels between the Transfiguration and Moses on Mount Sinai . Both take place on the seventh day . Both occur on a mountain . Both Jesus and Moses take three companions . The faces of both shone with God’s glory . Both involve the glory cloud of God’s presence (shekinah)  Coming of the Lord (epiclesis) . Both involve God speaking through a heavenly voice - Peter suggests building three booths o The OT Feast of Booths was celebrated when the Israelites came out of Egypt o Sign of freedom from bondage and are on pilgrimage o The people were to live in booths for seven days - “listen to him” o Deut 18: Moses speaks of a future prophet – “the Lord will raise up a prophet like me … listen to him” o Acts 3:22 – “Moses said ‘the Lord god will raise up …” - Moses and Elijah are the only ones who made pilgrimages to Sinai - “Elijah does come and he is to restore all things” o Sirach 48:10 o “Make straight a path …” - The Temple Tax (“the half-shekel”) o Rumors have probably been circulating the Jesus is going to destroy the temple o The leaders come to see for themselves . Is he paying to temple tax? o The leadership always felt the need to check the loyalty of northern tribes o The leaders went up to Peter . Acknowledgement of his authority . Book 4 shows the primacy of Peter o Jesus is the king and the disciples are the sons of the king . “the sons are free” . Jesus shouldn’t have to pay and neither should the disciples . Give it to them “for me and for yourself”  Cf. – “don’t be afraid …”

APPLICATION: We often speak of “mountaintop” and “valley” experiences. What can you take from this mountaintop experience that will help you when you walk through the valleys in your own life?

CHAPTER 18 – Characteristics of the Christian Community

Review and Context: We have reached the end of the narrative portion of Book 4, “Transfer of the Kingdom’s Authority.” Fittingly, the narrative begins with the death of John the Baptist: the old is passing away and the new has arrived. Jesus is passing on his authority to his disciples and establishing them as leaders of the new kingdom. Their positions will not give them the kind of personal power that leaders in earthly kingdoms often have, but they will rely on Jesus’ power and cooperate with him to offer supernatural food, cast out demons and heal.

At the center of this narrative, Matthew tells how Jesus invested his kingly authority in Peter as the foundation stone of the new church, the “prime minister” who would exercise authority “over the house” in Jesus’ absence. Any doubts Peter might have had as to whether Jesus truly was the Son of God would have vanished on the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus was revealed as the new Moses preparing to lead a new Exodus of his people from slavery to sin. It would be natural in the context of the spiritual communities of Jesus’ day for the rest of the disciples to wonder where they will fit within the new kingdom. Hierarchy was expected. One’s position at formal gatherings would be determined by rank, and a seating hierarchy was commonly maintained even at regular mealtimes. Which brings up the question, now Peter has been set at the head: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And not only that, by what standards are the leaders to rule? What values will characterize this kingdom community? Jesus’ fourth discourse will get to the heart of these questions.

Review your notes from the last session: What spoke especially to you in chapter 17

Become Like A Child? - To be a member of God’s kingdom we must be like a child o Childlike, not childish o Recognizes and is dependent on their faither

The Lost Sheep - Guardian Angels o Preserve God’s will - Jesus is showing his shepherds how to care for the little ones - Chapter 18 focuses on how we are called to be different o “see how they love one another”

Conflict Management - “If your brother sins against you …” - We don’t normally go privately to our brother, we tell others instead o Requires maturity and confidence - A straying sheep is a brother/sister o Fraternal correction is mandatory in the kingdom o Move in this story from family to flock to courtroom - What Is excommunication? o Not kicking someone out o Drawing a line in the sand and showing someone that their actions have put them outside the communion of the Church o Hope of restoration - Binding and Loosing o Peter possesses this authority . Extended to the Apostles . 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 . The Church has juridical power - “Where two or three are gathered …” o Normally interpreted as “when we pray” o But really refers to ecclesial discipline . When two or three gather to deal with a situation - Attitude towards those who hurt us. What will be our response? - FORGIVENESS (at the heart of chapter 18) o Hardest part of Christian life o Matt 18:21-22 – “How often must I forgive him …” . 7 times? Number of completion . 70 times 7 – reference to exile and return (Excursus) Salvation history is a tale of exile and return. This is the focus of Jesus’ teaching. - “Do to others what I have done for you” - Be a big brother. Failure to do so leads to exile - Taking a special care/concern for strangers/sojourners is the duty of Israel - The Great Jubilee o Exodus 25:10 o Deut 15:1-3 o Deut 31:10 o Every 50th year Israel is commanded that every creditor will be released, to release all slaves, to give back land o Obligated to release because we have been released by God o Every 7 years there was a small jubilee o The Exile was the result of Israel’s failure to release others - Daniel 9: prophesy of Gabriel “70 times 7” - “YOU FORGIVE AS I DO” o Forgive as often as it takes o Jesus began his ministry by standing in the synagogue of Nazareth and announcing the Year of Jubilee (Isaiah 61)

Parable the King and Bad Servant - 10,000 talents o 1 talent equals 15 years wages - The king released him - The servant then confronted a fellow servant who owed 100 denarii o Equal to one days wage - The servant failed to forgive as one who had been forgiven - Story’s over and Jesus says: o “so will my Father do to you if you fail to forgive your brother from your heart” - cf. John 10:16 – “you will have trouble (tribulation) … but take courage for I have overcome the world o “tribulation” literally means to “be pulled apart on the inside” o How do we deal with suffering? . By holding grudges, denying the pain? . We must forgive and release o “scandalon” . part of the mouse trap where you place the bait . The devil would love for us to “take the bait” and be scandalized  Feeling justified in our anger . “Lord, you have done enough to change my life but not enough to get through me and reach another” o Holding a grudge leads us to seek a pound of flesh . The pound of flesh will never be enough . We will never be able to satisfy our debts of sin o To release others means to say “you don’t owe me” o RELEASE or PAY THE DEBT YOURSELF

APPLICATION: Forgiveness is not so much a matter of feelings as it is an act of the will. Jesus has released from our sin and now asks us to release others who have sinned against us. Is there someone in your life that you have not forgiven? If so, release them today and say a prayer for them. If this has been a long struggle for you, you might want to go to confession.

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 7 – Chapters 19-25

CHAPTER 19 – Marriage: A Demonstration of God’s Love

Review and Context: Book 4 of Matthew’s gospel closed with Jesus’ discourse on the characteristics of the kingdom. Only the truly humble and childlike can enter, and mercy is the hallmark of relationships within it. The kingdom more closely resembles a family than a courtroom. Reconciliation and restoration is the goal of correction when it is needed. The key to all is to have the heart-attitude of Christ; to offer to him the little we have and to allow his power to work within and through us.

Matthew 19 begins the fifth and final “book” of Matthew’s gospel before its account of the Passion. The overall message of this and the next six chapters is the announcement of the end of the old kingdom. The book culminates with Christ’s “Olivet Discourse” in which he pronounces judgment on Jerusalem.

* Review your notes from the previous chapter. Which characteristic of the kingdom is most important to you? Why?

Marriage and Divorce (verses 1-12) - The key to understanding Matthew’s discussion on marriage is in the first verse: o “the region of Judea beyond the Jordan” o Matthew will often name a geographic place because something else has happened there in the past o This was the last place that John the Baptist was before he was arrested (cf. Matt 14:4) . He was arrested for preaching against Herod taking his brother’s wife - The Pharisees ask if it is lawful to divorce “for any cause” (verse 3) o Trying to trap Jesus with the same trap of John the Baptist – speaking out against the issue o There is a major debate about marriage between two Jewish groups of the 1st Century . Rabbi Shammai and Rabbi Hillel . Which side will Jesus take? . Hillel: only divorce and remarry after adultery (conservative – Dt 40:1) . Shammai: any unclean thing (liberal - not just adultery) o Remember that the leaders had already to decided to kill Jesus o This is also the very same place where Moses promulgated the laws on divorce in Deuteronomy 24 - Jesus responds in verses 4 and following: o Pharisees appeal to Dt 24 but Jesus goes back further (Adam and Eve) o It was God who made them husband and wife – they didn’t make themselves so . God is the author of marriage o Jesus doesn’t condemn Herod but rather condemns the Pharisees for using Dt 24 to condemn Herod o Moses never commands divorce but regulates it. Why? . Because they knew that the only way you could get out of your marriage and remarry was if a covenant partner died. Guess what started happening? . Moses is giving in in a way in order to stop murder . This is not God’s law, it is Moses permitting this for a time with the hope that the need will disappear o Dt 24 is 40 years after Moses gave the Law on Mount Sinai . Jesus does not affirm the ruling of Moses but revokes the concession and affirms the indissolubility of marriage . Honestly, this teaching is hard. . The teach is firm on this teaching is because it reflects God’s relationship with the Church o Verse 9: “whoever divorces his wife except for unchastity (porneia) and marries another commits adultery” . Does Jesus provide an exception clause for divorce? . Since the Reformation, many non-Catholic Christians have answered “yes” . But in recent times some of the greatest Protestant scholars have begun to agree with the Catholic Church and have answered “no” . The disciples respond in distress by claiming that marriage was not “expedient” . What did Jesus mean by “except for unchastity”  Patristic View: Jesus allowed for divorce in cases of serious sexual sin such as adultery – but they never allowed remarriage o Paul taught the same thing in 1 Cor 7:10-11 o Two options: be reconciled or stay single  Levitical Law View (Lev 18:6-18): Interprets unchastity as an invalid marriage where the spouses are too closely related o Not so much a divorce as an annulment  No Comment View: Jesus revokes the OT quoting of Dt 24 is irrelevant to the conversation because “it wasn’t this way from the beginning”  The Church accepts the Patristic View o The teaching may be hard but that is because marriage is special . Not a social agreement . Not a living arrangement . Not a promise but a covenant o What is annulment? . Not a divorce . A conclusion that there never was a sacramental bond (covenant) due to some substantial fraud or defect in the marriage promises . Annulments are not infallible but they are binding  Someone could have lied or the tribunal could have made an unsound judgment - A sacrament is a direct encounter with Christ o In marriage we are to encounter Christ daily o It is one way in which God molds and shapes us o “My goal in marrying you is to make you a saint” o Marriage is not just a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church but is rather a participation in the life of the Trinity o “If marriage is a young girl’s dream then the marriage is the alarm clock” . Mr. Right becomes Mr. Always Right . You will face difficulties and challenges in marriage o Unless we do something proactive to prevent, we must admit that objectively our marriage will end in divorce o Individualism is the death of a covenant . Marriage is about dying to self o Who are going to listen to for marriage advice? . Barbara De Angelis is a self-proclaimed marriage expert who has made millions selling books and materials on marriage  She is on her FIFTH marriage  Her third marriage was to the author of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”  Great “experts” o Genesis 2:24 . “leave, cleave and become one” . leave – departure from the old way of life  mother and father  the past (including your spouse’s past behind” . cleave – “to be glued together” . become one  not just physical, but spiritual and emotional . Jesus asks us to do these things not just for marriage, but for him - Kinds of Love o Storge – “I like you” . Different from “love” but essential for marriage o Eros – “I want you” . Passion, desire o Phileo – “You are my friend” o Agape – “I love you unconditionally” o Marriage needs all four types of love

Blessing of the Children (verses 13-15)

The Rich Young Man (verses 16-30)

APPLICATION: All Christians find themselves in a marriage relationship. If you are single, you are married to the Lord. If you are married you are also married to the Lord. In your state of life what three things might you do to improve your marriage so that the covenant you have may be stronger?

CHAPTERS 20 and 21: Stepping Down Into Greatness

Review and Context: The narrative section of Matthew’s fifth book began with Jesus moving south from Galilee to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. There he was tested by the Pharisees with a question about divorce that was designed to trap him into offending . Jesus deftly avoided the trap and turned it on them, exposing the hardness of their hearts while asserting his greater authority than Moses to proclaim law. This is the beginning of events leading to Jesus’ announcement of the end of the old kingdom and of the judgment he will pronounce on Jerusalem.

* Review your notes from the previous chapter. What challenged you about Jesus’ teaching on divorce and marriage or his words to the rich young man?

The Workers in the Vineyard (20:1-16) - Sense is that this parable is speaking about fairness o Those who work for one hour should be paid less than one who works for ten hours - But this parable is moving us from a contractual relationship with God to a family covenant o It is not “I did more in the Church than this other so you should love me more” - V. 13: “Friend” o John 15: “I call you friends” o Israel fails to understand her place in the family of God . She is the firstborn of many nations, but she is not the only nation God cares about . There will be many people coming in later that will receive the same grace and mercy that you have received o Often we measure our parents’ love for us by what we have or what they have given to us . Cf. Matthew 5 where Israel was used to receiving particular blessings for fidelity to the law . But now God wants to be their reward - V. 15: “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?”

The Third Prediction of the Passion (20:17-19) - Jesus reminds the disciples of what he will go through himself

The Request of James and John (20:20-28) - The Sons of Zebedee - “Are you able to drink the cup … we are able” o Linking baptism and eucharist o Cf. Mark 10:38-39 – “Are you able to drink the cup … or be baptized with the baptism …” o We pledge our allegiance to follow Christ to the Cross o When we take the cup we die to ourselves o In our Eucharistic Amen we make a pledge to give our lives for Christ o In the OT “to drink the cup” was a specific metaphor . Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15 . The cup of God’s wrath poured upon the wicked . Denotes Jesus’ Passion endured for sinners . We often think that Jesus did everything and we do/did nothing. But Jesus calls us to participate in every aspect of his ministry – even his sufferings. This is what makes us the Body of Christ. . We come to know Jesus by doing what he did . All of the disciples (except for John whom they had tried to boil to death on the island of Patmos) suffered martyrdom . Colossians 1:24 – “I fill up in my body what is lacking in the suffering of Christ” o James and John are assured of a participation in the cup - In the OT the Sabbath was the holiest day of the week o A day of rest o Hebrews 4 tells us that they failed to enter into the rest because they did not exercise faith in what God had told them – they continued to hold their burdens o The Mass is a “Sabbath rest” where we cease carrying our burdens . In our culture the first day of the week is Monday, not Sunday . The Sabbath day is to be the first (principle) day of the week

The Healing of Two Blind Men (20:29-34) - “What do you want me to do for you?” - Two blind men would have normally been begging for money – they wouldn’t have been begging “help me to see” - But they called out “Lord, let our eyes be opened” - They recognized that someone special was in their midst - Recognition that they didn’t need money, but vision o Do we have vision? o Does our prayer focus on the things we need or on gaining vision for our lives? o Hosea: “without vision, my people perish” o Our nation does not struggle because we lack things but because we lack vision o Mother Theresa said that America suffers a greater poverty than India – a spiritual poverty – a lack of vision

The Entry Into Jerusalem (21:1-11) - The gospel begins to switch gears - Jesus is acting out the Signs of the Messiah o Read Zechariah 9-14 for some more perspective - 1 Kings 21:32-40 o Entrance like Solomon o Both processions involve a great crowd o Both times Israel is in a state of commotion - Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9 o Combined to give us Matthew 21:5 o “Behold your salvation is coming … meek and riding on an ass” o St. Augustine speaks allegorically of the donkey and the colt . The donkey signifies Israel while the young colt represents the Gentiles - Spreading their cloaks o Sign of homage to the king in the OT o 2 Kings 9:13 - Palm Branches o Royal Significance o 2 Maccabees 12:7 . Judas Maccabeus (“the hammer”) conquered the Greeks some 200 years before Jesus. He was welcomed home with palm branches. . Herod claimed this same royal authority in the time of Jesus and would be greatly disturbed by this “new king” (Remember the Matthean Nativity stories) o “Hosanna” . “Save us, O Lord” - The Passover was the central redemptive event in the OT o Exodus 12 contains specific details about how the Passover is to begin o On the 10th of Nisan they are to begin inspecting the sacrificial lamb until the 14th day of Nisan when they sacrificed the lamb o Once Solomon built the Temple the Passover lambs had to be brought to Jerusalem . But travelling with the lambs for so many miles to get them to Jerusalem would have left them blemished . Developed a “sacrificial flock” outside of Jerusalem . Then the people would come to Jerusalem and buy their lambs and on the 10th of Nisan the lambs were brought into Jerusalem o The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem occurs on the 10th of Nisan . As the sacrificial lambs come to Jerusalem, so too, comes the Lamb of God . Jesus will be inspected until the 14th day of Nisan . Pilate: “I find no fault in him” o God will provide the Lamb o CCC 559: “How will Jerusalem welcome her Messiah … acclaimed as the Son of David … he conquers by humility …” o The Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer . At every Mass Jesus makes a triumphal entry into the Temple (our bodies)

The Cleansing of the Temple (21:12-17) - Isaiah 56:7 o In this context God is gathering all the nations, including the Gentiles, to his temple - Jeremiah 7:11 o Jeremiah is delivering a message of judgment – because they didn’t listen to Jeremiah the Temple was destroyed o Now, if Israel fails to repent the Temple will again be destroyed . The Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. - Jesus is doing three things to point out that he is the Messiah o The Entry into Jerusalem o The Cleansing of the Temple o Cursing of the Fig Tree

The Cursing of the Fig Tree (21:18-22) - The fig tree was a symbol of Israel and the Prophets o Jeremiah 8 and Isaiah 9

The Authority of Jesus Questioned (21:23-27)

The Parable of the Two Sons (21:28-32)

The Parable of the Tenants (21:33-46) - The housholder is God - The vineyard is Jerusalem - The tenants are Israel’s leaders - The servants are OT prophets - The son is Jesus “whom they brought outside the city and killed him”

APPLICATION: The secret of true greatness lies in self-donating love. Think about someone in your life that you would consider great. What attributes do they exhibit that you might incorporate into your own life?

CHAPTERS 22 and 23 – “Let’s Get Real”

Review and Context: Jesus has been showing the disciples how greatness in the kingdom can be achieved. In this new kingdom the last will be first. Whoever wants to be great must be a servant, and the outward show of religion is not enough (you must bear fruit).

In these final chapters before Christ’s Passion, his glory is juxtaposed with images of suffering and judgment. The old is going out and the new is coming in and it will not happen quietly. Jesus gives example after example that he is the Messiah, the true Son of David, who is coming to establish his reign and kingdom. But the inevitable clash with the religious leaders will now intensify. These chapters conclude the fifth narrative section of Matthew and end in a scathing judgment on the scribes and the Pharisees.

Review your notes from the last section. Why did announcing the advent of the new kingdom so often lead Jesus into clashes with the religious authorities?

These chapters string together several rapid-fire teachings of Jesus. This was a rabbinic method known as “stringing pearls.”

Parable of the Wedding Banquet (22:1-14)

Paying Taxes to the Emperor (22:15-22) - Attempting to trap Jesus - The leaders present a false respect - It is the Pharisees and the Herodians who are collaborating o Two groups were politically at opposite ends of the spectrum o Herodians were non-Jewish families who supported Rome o Shows the length to which the leaders went to rid themselves of the “Jesus Problem” - If Jesus approves the tax then he is charged with not being faithful to the faith - If Jesus renounces the tax then he is charged with revolting against Rome - The penalty for “tax revolt” was likely death - Jesus responds: “why put me to the test, you hypocrites?” o Remember that a hypocrite is defined as an actor - Jews had a problem with the Roman coin because it had an image on it o The image ascribed deity to Caesar o Inscription read “son of god, high priest” - Jesus does not answer the question “should you pay the tax?” - Jesus has three points o He is playing on the word “likeness” . Adam and Eve were created in “the likeness” of God . Genesis 5: Adam and Eve’s children were created in the likeness of their parents o Everyone has the duty to give back to God . Whose image and likeness are we created in? . Give to Caesar the coin, but give yourselves to God o Jesus is reminding them that the reason they pay taxes is because they didn’t give themselves to God in the first place . Leviticus 26:18ff – mentions what will happen as a consequence of the broken covenant  Verse 29: “you shall eat the flesh of your sons and daughters  When the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, Josephus recorded the whole event. He describes famine, plague and sword. The Romans entered the houses of the Jews and discovered that the women had baked their sons and daughters because of the famine o Josephus wrote: “I bear witness against my own people that never was there a generation more worthy of this suffering” . Deuteronomy 28 – gives a list of what will happen to Israel if they break the covenant - CCC 2242 – refusing obedience to authority when their directives are contrary to the conscience - Jesus affirms civic duty and the primary duty to God

Questions about the Resurrection (22:23-33) - The Sadducees don’t believe in the resurrection, the after-life, or even the Scriptures apart from the Pentateuch - Hypothetical story from Deuteronomy 25 - Jesus replies by saying “you are wrong” o Wrong because they do not know Scripture or the experience of faith o The Resurrection ends marriage because marriage is directed towards raising up children and to help your spouse become a saint . Isaiah 6:2-3 . Revelation 5:11-12 - Jesus is aware of their rejection of the prophets because he doesn’t quote resurrection citations from the rest of the OT o Quotes Exodus 3:6 “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” o Men who are related to God in faith have life – “I am the God …” . Not “I was”

The Greatest Commandment (22:34-40) - Not a bad question to ask. There was actually much debate about this question - There were 613 laws - But there was a right answer - Jesus answers as a Pharisee or any “good Jew” would answer (Deut 6:5) - “and the second is like it you shall your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18) o Jesus takes it deeper o These are built on the same principle – its not just me and God

The Question about David’s Son (22:41-46) - Jesus asks them a question - Question based Psalm 110:1 o Coronation psalm (for a king) o Implies that the Messiah would be greater than David o David calls the Messiah (who is the “son of David”) “Lord”

Denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees (23:1-36) - The Seven Woes o Evokes Leviticus 26 o Covenantal judgment - These woes stand in opposition to the Beatitudes o The Woes and the Blessings - Deuteronomy 27 and 28 – Covenant infidelity - “They sit on the chair of Moses” o Ex Cathedra – “from the chair” - Phylacteries o Contain scripture from the Pentateuch o Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18 - They do these things to “be seen by others” o Matthew 6 taught us that true piety is an interior action - “call no one your father …” o Jesus is using hyperbole to teach that people should not seek lofty titles o Remember to reference the rules for interpretation of Scripture (CCC 112-114 and in DTS training) o Hebrews 12:7-11 “for what son is there whom his father does not discipline … we have earthly fathers …” o 1 Corinthians 4:15 “for I became your father …” o When religious leaders founded their own movements they were known as “fathers” and Jesus is telling us that he has established kingdom and there will be no more movements for “fathers” - “strain the gnat and swallow the camel” o gnats were the smallest unclean animals in the law o Jews would use something similar to cheesecloth to strain them out o Jesus says ‘you strain a gnat but you’ll eat a camel” - “whitewashed tombs” o they whitewashed tombs to warn you not to bump into them

The Lament Over Jerusalem (23:37-39) - “your house is forsaken” o Then Jesus leaves o Ezekiel 10:18 and Ezekiel 11:23 o Ezekiel saw the glory of God leaving the temple and come to rest on the Mount of Olives APPLICATION: Spend some quality time in prayer and ask God to show you if there areas in which you are hypocritical. Think about your various relationships.

Dead Theologians Society The Gospel of Matthew Session 8 – Chapters 26-28

CHAPTER 26 – The Trial of the Christ

Review and Context: Matthew’s gospel is drawing to a close. The five “books” have all pointed to this conclusion: “The Victory of the King.” This section is not an afterward. It is the heart of the gospel and the accumulated weight of not just Matthew 1-25 but of the entire Old Testament. Following so closely on the Olivet Discourse, it is tempting to wonder what the disciples would expect. Whether or not they understand Jesus to be speaking of the literal destruction of the Temple, certainly they anticipated a tremendous upheaval. The world as they know it is about to end and Jesus will be at the center of both the end and the new beginning.

Review your notes from the previous section: What was the most important thing to you personally, of all that you learned about Jesus’ coming?

The Conspiracy Against Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5)

The Anointing at Bethany (Matthew 26:6-13) - All of history has been pointing to this hour o Garden of Eden and Garden of Gethsemane - The value of Jesus - Burial anointing

The Betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:14-16) - 30 pieces of silver o Exodus 21:3 – the price of a slave - Jesus has and knows his mission o Has had many opportunities to get sidetracked o Jesus does not stop and say “how could you do this … ?” o After his resurrection Jesus does not go back and “rub it in” to Caiaphas, the Scribes and Pharisees or any others . We have too much at stake to get side tracked by less important matters. - Jesus continues to love Judas even during his betrayal - Perhaps Judas began doubt if things were going to work out as he had imagined o What would you have done?

Preparations for the Passover (Matthew 17-19)

The Betrayer (Matthew 26:20-25)

The Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-30) - Words of institution - Some believe this supper took place in the Essene quarter of Jerusalem o Essenes followed a solar calendar (more in keeping with Leviticus) o Jesus is possibly celebrating privately his own Passover since he will celebrate Jerusalem’s Passover as the Paschal Lamb - Jews did not bless things, they blessed God o This is why it reads “he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it” . He didn’t bless the bread - Unleavened bread o Exodus 12 o They didn’t have time to let the bread rise o This is a meal of liberation from bondage o This is why communion hosts are unleavened . “host” comes from “hostia” meaning victim - Jesus is giving us his body and blood – not a symbol o Jesus came to give us himself – not bread o CCC 1374-1375: mode of Christ’s presence o CCC 1381: Christ’s presence cannot be apprehended by the senses o CCC 1402: this sacrament will give way (in heaven) to an unmediated presence with the Trinity - “he took a cup” (verse 27) o Four cups in the Passover meal o This was the third cup – The Cup of Blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16) o After this cup they would sing the Great Hillel o “he gave thanks” – Eucharist – todah (Hebrew) . In the OT the todah was the “thank offering”  Meal offering involved unleavened bread giving thanks to God for salvation/deliverance from mortal threat  Psalm 22: a thanksgiving (todah) psalm o Begins “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” o Ends with triumphant praise for deliverance . Rabbis believed that in the fullness of time all sacrifices would cease except the todah . As Israel faced the threat of Egypt in the Passover, so we are facing the threat of eternal death  We are now delivered from sin through the todah  Exodus 24:3-8 “blood of the covenant” (identical language) - “I will not drink again …” o Normally after third cup you would drink the Fourth Cup, the Cup of Consummation o Jewish scholars all note that the Passover meal has been interrupted as Jesus goes out to the Garden of Gethsemane

Peter’s Denial Foretold (Matthew 26:31-35)

The Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46) - “Let this cup pass” - Hebrews 5:7-8 “In the days of his flesh Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death. Though he was a son he learned obedience from what he suffered …” o Jesus is going through what Adam went through in the Garden of Eden . God gave Adam a command to guard and protect the garden . Adam was created in the image and likeness of God . Satan tells Adam and Eve “there’s an easier way”  Remember how Peter told Jesus “there was an easier way/this should not happen to you” in Matthew 16 . Jesus as the new Adam will make right what the old Adam made wrong o Jesus is both human and divine and possessed two wills (human and divine) . CCC 475 – not opposed, but cooperate with each other

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Matthew 26:47-56) - Jesus trusts the Father - Judas hangs himself and the disciples flee o 2 Samuel 17:1-2, 23 . Parallel event

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68) - The high priest puts Jesus under oath o Are you the Son of God? o Only time Jesus answers directly (affirmatively) - “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” o Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:9-13 o 3 common points . Both envision a heavenly throne . Both depict a royal Messiah who will reign with God . Both present this figure as triumphing over his enemies o Jesus is painting a self portrait as the one who will ascend to God and reign, triumphing over the Sanhedrin

Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75)

CHAPTER 27 – The Passion of the King

Review and Context: Matthew 26 contrasted Jesus’ precious worth with the paltry sum he was betrayed for. It contrasted a woman willing to spend a fortune anointing him to men who misunderstood and hated him and wanted him dead. Now we are in the midst of the inexorable march of events set into motion by Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It is Passover. Jesus is preparing to lead his own “Exodus.” He has struggled with temptation in the garden and has set aside his own will to do his Father’s will. Arrested, he threw down the gauntlet before Caiaphas, by claiming to be the Messiah. Stung by what they saw as blasphemy, the leaders prepared to condemn him. At long last, “the hour” has come.

Review your notes from the previous chapter: How does Jesus’ anointing set the stage for the rest of the Passion?

The Death of Judas (Matthew 27:1-10) - Paradox that Judas repents but then hangs himself - Fulfillment of Jeremiah – but could it be also a reference Zechariah? o Zechariah 11:7ff “so I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slain … they weighed out as my wages thirty shekels of silver and the Lord said ‘cast them into the treasury’ … ” o The Good Shepherd is rejected by his people. He was to restore grace and union between Israel and Judah. o Once he is rejected things turned bad. - So why does Matthew refer to Jeremiah? o Jeremiah 19 talks about buying a potter’s earthen flask which Jeremiah breaks at a specific place (The Valley of Hinom) as an oracle against Judah o The Church Fathers agree that the potter’s field was in the Valley of Hinom . This was literally a garbage trump o Jeremiah speaks of a new covenant coming in chapter 31 but he buys a field in chapter 32. Why? . As a sign of hope/restoration - True repentance is being sorry but hopeful of restoration at the same time - Judas repented but his repentance did not change his life

Jesus Questioned by Pilate (Matthew 27:11-14) - Jesus takes upon himself the curses of the broken covenant - Jesus is restoring the covenant and repairing the fall - Cf. – Jesus takes on all sorts of accusations o Jesus takes upon himself the charge of rebellion o Jesus is accused of being rebellious – the exact charge that should be made against us by God - Psalm 89 – gives us the understanding that the Servant (Messiah) must suffer but will be restored - Why did Jesus suffer and die? The Sentence of Death (Matthew 27:15-26) - Barabbas o Why did they release a prisoner? Because the Passover was about a release from bondage and this became a custom o “notorious” prisoner o “whom do you want me to release for you?” . Importance of releasing each other from bondage (cf. Matthew 18) . Israel went into Exile because they refused to release o “It was out of envy …” . Jealousy is wanting what others have . Envy is making sure you don’t have what you have o Why not release the innocent? They want the rebellious murderer released . He was only released because Jesus was convicted o The name Barabbas means “son of the father” . Here you have two sons of the Father who taken two very different paths

Mockery by the Soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31) - 1 Samuel 8 – “we want a king!” o The people rejected God as their king o God gave them a typology of a king, but this type must pass away o Now he has finally come and they say “we have no king!”

The Way of the Cross and Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32-44) - Jesus makes the wood of the Cross the new Tree of Life

The Death and (Matthew 27:45-61) - “from the sixth hour there was darkness” (Noon) - “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - The Temple Veil is torn from top to bottom o The grief of a father losing his son o Access to God is now wide open

The Guard at the Tomb (Matthew 27:62-66)

APPLICATION: Matthew 27 ends with what appears to be the end of all the hopes and dreams of Jesus’ followers. Have you ever felt the crushing impossibility of circumstance? Have you felt that God has abandoned you, or that hope is dead and lying in a sealed and guarded tomb? What have you learned in this lesson that can help you avoid despair?

CHAPTER 28 – The Triumph of the King

The disciples’ hopes for a new messianic kingdom appear to be swallowed in defeat. Jesus is dead. The band of twelve has lost one to suicide, and the others ran rather than stand by the Lord. The Jewish people have chosen a “son of the Father” – Barabbas – in place of the Son of the Father. The sun has gone down on another Sabbath and things look very bleak.

Is this the end, or a beginning? Jesus became a man so he could suffer and die, to free men from the curse of sin. But he also came to defeat death and give mankind new life, his own life. For that, something else is needed. Jesus will have to rise from the dead.

Review your notes from the last chapter: Of all that Jesus suffered in his Passion, what means the most to you?

QUICK REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE GOSPEL - The focus has been the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth. - Jesus’ life is a recapitulation of the life of Israel … successful by his fidelity o The Old Covenant is not to be done away but is to be fulfilled in a New Covenant o You can’t enter into a new covenant unless one member dies. Thus God comes to die and so invite Israel into the new covenant - Jesus is reconstituting Israel around himself o Twelve Tribes – Twelve Apostles o The Giving of the Law – The Sermon on the Mount - Chapter 1 o Gentiles are included in the New Covenant - Chapter 2 o Joseph and Joseph parallels - Chapter 3 o Elijah and Elisha / John and Jesus - Chapter 4 o Jesus reflects Moses by coming up out of the water and going into the desert to be tempted o Jesus faces the same three temptations that Israel faced . Hunger/Provision and Security . Putting the Lord to the test . Worshipping a false god - Chapters 5-7 o New Law given in the Sermon the Mount o Jesus is the new Moses o Humility is the chief virtue (Beatitudes) o True piety is done for your Father, not for others o Judging and the Golden Rule - Chapters 8-9 o Ten miracles demonstrate his authority - Chapter 10 o Jesus sends out his disciples with his authority o Do not fear (three times) - Chapters 11-12 o Jesus demonstrates that he IS the new king o The leadership puts Jesus in the crosshairs - Chapter 13 o Parables are the response to the leaders threatening him . Used when there is corrupt leadership o Its the small things that grow into big things - Chapters 14-15 o Feeding of the multitudes . Provides for Israel and the whole world (Gentiles included) - Chapter 16 o Jesus asks “who do they say that the Son of Man is?” (Prophesy of Daniel) o Peter’s Profession - Chapter 17 o Jesus is Transfigured (with Moses and Elijah) . Talking about HIS Exodus (from sin) which will begin in Jerusalem - Chapter 18 o Forgiveness - Chapter 19 o Marriage and Divorce - Chapters 20-21 o Jesus enters Jerusalem . The Paschal Lamb enters for the Passover sacrifice - Chapters 22-23 o The leadership tries to trap Jesus over taxes - Chapters 24-25 o Jesus speaks about the end of age - Chapter 26 o Garden of Gethsemane - Chapter 27 o The trial of Jesus The (Matthew 28:1-10) - One great big “I told you so!” - He shows us that we can trust the Father - 1 Cor 15:35 “but someone will ask ‘how are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they rise?’ … not all flesh is alike … what is sown perishable, what is raised, imperishable … if there is a physical body there is a spiritual body” - CCC #999

The Report of the Guard (Matthew 28:11-15)

The Commissioning of the Twelve (Matthew 28:16-20) - All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus - After everything that has been said in the Gospel there is one command: Go and make disciples - Difference between a believer and a disciple o Disciples not only believed what the master taught, but did what the master taught - Pierke avot – the sayings of the Fathers o “Go find a rabbi and learn from them. At the end of the day you should be covered in the dust of that rabbi. o Whose dust covers you? o We show our faith by doing - Go and make more!

APPLICATION: Jesus’ resurrection is evidence that we can trust our heavenly Father, even if we suffer and die. How does Christ’s resurrection change the way you will face hardship in the future.