Lesson Eleven Update

The few of us who are left in MN this week to go to Bible Study thought we should have made the trip down to FL to be with everyone else who is down there enjoying the warm sunshine. We, however, were waiting for a snow storm to arrive. Talk about Lenten penance!! There must be some indulgence for us who were left behind.

This lesson was a continuation of the last one. In chapter ten, Paul finally gives a firm "it depends" reply to the question the Corinthians had about eating food that has been sacrificed to pagan gods. The bottom line isn't about the rules; the bottom line is about giving praise and honor to God and about treating our fellow man with consideration and compassion. It is a great time of year--liturgical year, that is--to hear this message. Sometimes Catholics get so worked up about all the rules of Lent that this season takes them farther from being heavenly creatures than they were when they started. We have to remember that Lent is about becoming more Christ-like. It's not about losing weight or making yourself miserable (or prideful) with some horrendously horrific self-denial.

In case you are interested, I will provide a link to the notes that I made for myself for this lesson. If you're looking for my notes from the last lesson, don't bother. I didn't have enough to think that it was worthwhile posting them.

Have a great couple of weeks. I will get the next study guide posted ASAP, as usual.

Lesson Eleven Notes

Lesson Eleven: Freedom and Temptation

Lesson eleven is a continuation of our last lesson. In this section of his letter, Paul is wrapping up his teachings on this question of eating food sacrificed to idols, and he is giving us a preview of what we will be covering in the chapters to come.

If you look just to the right of this entry, you may notice that I spent some time this last week planning ahead for next year. I am assuming that everyone wants to proceed on to Paul's second letter to the Corinthians--although that can certainly be open for discussion. Based on the number of lessons for that book, I have also prepared a tentative schedule for next year's meetings. Check with your own schedules, and if there are no big conflicts, I can turn these dates in to the front office to reserve our classroom.

I have also been checking around for a book selection for our summer read. I have some ideas, but if you have any suggestions, please bring them up at our next meetings. Believe it or not, we only have a handful of sessions left, and it's nice to get our book order in early so that you pick them up before we break for the summer.

Don't forget! Lent begins this week. Here's a link you might want to try:
Lenten Radio Retreat

See you on Thursday, February 26.

Study Guide for Lesson Eleven: Freedom and Temptation

Lesson Ten: Freedom and Rights

For those of you who weren't too crazy about our last lesson, I think that you'll like this one much better. Who knew you could have such a fascinating discussion about meat? Well, it's not really about meat, is it? It's about our rights, our responsibilities and how we should temper everything we do with charity.

This lesson covers two chapters of scripture. Once you get started, you'll see why we discuss them together. We are going to have to be very focused to cover everything I have for us on this lesson, so come to our meeting ready to get to work.

See you on February 12.

Study Guide for Lesson Ten: Freedom and Rights