Life Giving Bread

It is always so exciting to start a new bible study.  I find that after a short break, like the one we just had, I am always chomping at the bit to delve into a new book of study.  I hope that all of you find as much enjoyment and thrill out of reading this week’s study material as I have experienced.

A few years ago, I had the fortune of going to Yellowstone Park.  If you’ve never been, let me just say that it is truly amazing and awe-inspiring.  I reveled at nature that I have never seen before . . . melting pots, huge boulders that had been moved and left by glaciers, snow in June (there were days we wore coats and other days we wore shorts) and the Yellowstone Grand Canyon which looks so full of colors that it appears that it had been painted.  It seemed so unreal but also so beautiful!  On that trip, more so than any other family vacation, I felt very close to nature.

It was astonishing how huge and powerful nature can be.  But there was also a peace about it.  In the midst of the danger, I saw peace and tranquility.  Yellowstone Park is the residence of a HUGE caldera that could erupt, as evident in the gushers, like Old Faithful, steam rising from out of the ground in many places, and bubbling mud pits.  However, Yellowstone Park also houses many forms of wildlife (bison, elk, moose, wolves, bear, etc.) and vegetation.  You can see there a large swath of land destroyed by wildfire at one time, now rebounding with new life.

New life, in the midst of destruction, can be found everywhere.  For instance, sometimes we see photos taken from war zones that depict peace in the midst of chaos.  A small flower in a war-torn area, riddled with debris and hints of despair, is so uplifting.  Peace can be found everywhere, if we just look for it.  God gave us this peace.  He shows us that it is possible. May God help our brothers and sisters who are trying to survive in the midst of total inhumanity.  May he help them find peace.

For this week, please read the following:

If you haven’t already, please let me know by tomorrow if you’d like a copy of the recommended study guide for our next bible study: “Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Letter of Paul to the Romans” by Scott Hahn & Curtis Mitch. I hope to place the order Tuesday.

I have a hard time watching “The Passion.”  I still have not seen the whole movie from beginning to end. Furthermore, at Easter time, I always cry during Easter pageants. The thought of such violence and cruelty, especially towards someone so righteous, is so unsettling . . . as it SHOULD be.

Jesus was a man.  He lived on Earth, with actual people.  He experienced the same joys as we did, I am sure.  He had friends and family whom he loved and who loved him.  He walked, worked, hugged, smiled, laughed, and maybe even joked around. Furthermore, since he was human, he also felt sadness, anger, annoyance, and pain.  He cried.  He hurt. He WAS human.  To know that we, his fellow brothers and sisters, killed him is very hard to live with that guilt.

For this week, we read about Jesus’ crucifixion and, better yet, his resurrection.  When we all began this bible study of Matthew’s Gospel, we knew how the story ends.  However, for me, it was well worth reading and studying it, if not just for the ending:  JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US!  For those of us who receive Holy Communion, we are reminded of this every time we consume the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  (see http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=36838)

For this week, please read Matthew 27:1-28:20.  Below are a few questions I have written. Please reflect on these as well as those found in your study guide.  Comments are welcomed on the Week 14 page, as well as on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.

I hope everyone enjoyed this bible study.  Please stay tuned for our next study coming soon, details to follow.

May Christ be with you and in your heart always!

Week 14 Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• Could you remain quiet while other accuse you? (see Matthew 27:11-14)
• How does it make you feel, and what comes to mind, when you read about Jesus’ crucifixion and death in Matthew 27:27-56?
• How does it make you feel, and what comes to mind, when you read about Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28:1-10?
• What task is Jesus giving to you in the last part of the Gospel According to Matthew, 28:18-20?
• In reading Matthew 28:20, how does it make you feel?  What reminds you of Jesus’ presence?
• Additional Questions found in your study guide or in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew

When the end of time comes, we all will be judged according to our deeds.  When is the last time you have fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, welcomed a stranger, given clothing to the less fortunate, visited the sick, or visited a prisoner?   In our society, it takes going out of our way to do these things for others.   How well do you make the effort?

Furthermore, God gave each of us special gifts (i.e. talents).  How each of us use these gifts will weigh heavily on whether we will be blessed or cursed at our judgement.  We must live our lives according to God’s will.  Therefore, think about the gifts God has given you.  Are you using them to better God’s kingdom?  Or, has society’s influences caused you to turn from God and His will?

This week’s readings caused us to pause and evaluate how well we are helping others and preparing ourselves for God’s judgment.  I know I have some work to do!  How about you?

Read:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?
• The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew provides some information on Matthew 25:1-13: “The lamp is Christian faith, while the oil represents good works; thus faith without works is useless (Jas 2:17).”   Do you lack good works?
• How do you use the talents God gave you?  What keeps you from doing what God wants you to do with the talents He gave you? (see Matthew 25:14-30)
• How do you show love to God and neighbor? (see Matthew 25:31-46)
• Is there a price you would accept to betray Jesus or denounce your faith?  People throughout the world do this for different reasons, like sin, greed, and sometimes out of fear for their life or their family’s lives.  If you were in their shoes, would you do the same?  (see Matthew 26:14-16)
• How often, when you pray, do you say “not as I will, but as thou wilt.”  How would/does this phrase adjust how you open yourself up to God?  (see Matthew 26:39)
• Have you ever denied Jesus and/or your faith?   If so, how did it make you feel?  Have you asked for forgiveness?  (see Matthew 26:69-75)
• Additional Questions found in your study guide or in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Matthew

Please share your thoughts of this week’s readings on the Week 13 page or on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.