Levels of Heaven? Mansions? What's Going On?

At our last discussion, as we came across Hebrews 4:14 (the lesson was actually for Hebrews 5, but the last two verses of chapter four were included in our lesson), we wondered about the part of 4:14 that said that Jesus "has passed through the heavens."  Sort of makes it sound like he overshot, doesn't it? 

In the notation in our Ignatius Bible on this verse, it says that, "Christ ascended into the most intimate presence of God in heaven." It goes on to explain that, "Jewish tradition sometimes speaks of multiple levels of heaven." As it sometimes does, our discussion then veered off, this time as we got to wondering what heaven is like. We were wondering about the idea of Jesus preparing "mansions"--that answer will be a part of our next class discussion, so stay tuned. Of course, no one can truly know for certain. 

I promised to do some research about the "levels of heaven" as well as the ultimate question we had: Are there "different" heavens for different saints?  I'll let you know what I found prior to beginning our discussion on our lesson for Hebrews 6, but I also wanted to post a link to an article that might just answer some of the other questions that you may have about what we can imagine heaven to be like based on scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

The article I wanted to share with you is on the Catholic Answers website. What is Heaven? is by Tim Staples who is the Director of Apologetics and Evangelization for Catholic Answers. The article is a bit lengthy and will take some quiet contemplation to soak in the answer he is giving, but if we can't take a few minutes to try and understand heaven now, how interested are we really in spending an eternity in the place he is describing? Right?

Our next class will be our last one in 2015, so I wish you all a Blessed Advent, a Merry Christmas, and a most Happy New Year! See you on January 7. 

Welcome!

You found it!  This is the web page for our Solid Grounds Bible Study.

This year there will not be a study guide posted for each lesson since we have a separate workbook that provides questions for each chapter of the book of scripture that we are studying.  However, it is still a good idea to check into the site on occasion to see if there is anything that is posted regarding our lesson or something we may have discussed at a previous meeting.

This week I am posting a link to a podcast that has a more complete answer to a question that came up at our first meeting.  Someone had asked about the Pope's announcement about priests being allowed to forgive the sin of abortion in the confessional.  Because we had so much to talk about that day, it was impossible to give a good, thorough answer to that question, and so I thought that I would give you an opportunity to get an answer that provides a better understanding of what the Pope intended with this announcement.

All you have to do is click on this link to the Busted Halo Podcast, and then you can either push the play button and listen to it on the device you are on right now, or download it and put it on your iPod or other listening device and listen to it later.  This is the best, and as I said, most thorough answer that I have heard so far to this question about the forgiveness of abortion or, for that matter, any serious mortal sin.

The next time we meet, let me know if you visited this site and had a chance to listen to the podcast.  Just curious to know if you were able to find it, and if it's a valuable resource to you.

See you on September 17.

2015-2016 The Letter to the Hebrews

This year our Solid Grounds Bible Study group will be reading The Letter to the Hebrews, which is considered by many to be one of the most important letters in the New Testament.

Hebrews, more like a homily than the other traditional "letters" of the New Testament, was written to encourage Jewish Christians to remain faithful to the New Covenant.  The author reveals how Jesus is now the new and everlasting temple.  Jesus is the altar, the sacrifice, and the High Priest.  During this study, we will learn the true meaning behind the dogma of the Sacrifice of the Mass.

We had our subject.  Now the search began for just the right materials for our study.  As a subscriber to Fr. Robert Barron's weekly homilies, I had taken note of the frequent references he would make to the acclaimed New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright.  Dr. Wright is often hailed as a modern-day C.S. Lewis and has written the most extensive New Testament commentary series since William Barclay.  After some research, I quickly decided that the Hebrews edition of The New Testament for Everyone series by N.T. Wright would be our commentary guide for this year's study.  In addition to Hebrews for Everyone, we will also be using the Hebrews for Everyone Study Guide. 

So now, some general information about the study.  The Solid Grounds Bible Study group meets on Thursdays from 9-11am in the Marian Lounge at the Church of St. Patrick.  Our first meeting for the 2015-2016 study will be held on September 3.  Meetings  are held on a (somewhat bi-weekly) schedule.  Our entire schedule can be found just to the right of this post along with the other class information.  It will also be distributed on an informational sheet at our first meeting.

In order to register for the study, you can download the registration form from the Church of St. Patrick Adult Education Page (check the "Bible Study" tab), or pick up a registration form at the Church of St. Patrick.  Then bring your completed registration form, along with the $30 class fee, to St. Patrick Book and Gift.  The registration deadline for this class is August 23.  You will be notified when your materials are ready to pick up.

In addition our textbooks, we have traditionally recommended purchasing the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible translation for use in our class.  This is an excellent Catholic translation that helps us understand scripture through the lens of the Catholic faith--our sacraments, Tradition, and liturgical rites.  The cost of this Bible is not included in the class fee.  This Bible comes in several different editions starting at $11.95 for the individual booklet of the Letter to the Hebrews, and from $24.95 up to $44.95 for the entire New Testament in paperback, hardback, or leather cover.  The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is available at St. Patrick Book & Gift as well as other Catholic and major booksellers.

Finally, you may be wondering what you need to do to prepare for our first meeting on September 3.  First of all, put it on your calendar and make it a priority to attend!  This is the best opportunity to get all the important information that you'll need for our year of study.  Then we would welcome you to read a good Catholic book and be ready to give a short (a very short) review as we go around and introduce ourselves to one another.  If the summer has slipped away from you, or if you're late in finding out about this "assignment" that our former members received at the end of last year's study, please come prepared to recommend one of your favorite Catholic books from past reading.  The idea is for all of our participants to go home with a list of book recommendations for the next time they're looking for a good Catholic book. 

We do hope that you'll join us this year for our study of the Letter to the Hebrews.  Any other questions?  Please contact the church office.  See you in September!

Titus 3

Once again, I am so sorry to have to have missed the last meeting of our year of study of the Pastoral Letters.  Thanks to Madge for taking over for me and for the entire group to pitch in and help in the discussion of the third and final chapter of St. Paul's Letter to Titus.  I know it was a busy day at church and some had other obligations to help with the preparations for the Triduum.  If that was the case, I do hope that you'll take the time to finish the final lesson on your own.  The last chapter of this letter is an important wrap up for the study of all the Pastorals.

It was an appropriate day to finish the study of the Pastorals.  Traditionally, Holy Thursday is the day that all priests renew their priestly promises.  And as the Church celebrates the Mass of the Last Supper, we commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priestly Order--all guided by Paul's Pastoral Letters.

Here are my notes for the lesson:
Titus 3 Notes

If you missed the meeting and would like to come to our breakfast on April 16, please email or call me by April 14 so that I can make reservations. 

Thanks so much for a wonderful year.  Watch the bulletin in late summer for registration for next year's study of the Letter to the Hebrews.  Have a great summer!

Titus 2

Sorry to have missed another meeting, but I didn't have much choice this time.  After heading to the ER on Tuesday for back pain, I ended up being admitted and had surgery on Thursday afternoon.  The surgery went well, and I'm at home recovering. 

We'll have to see how things progress to know whether or not I'll be able to make it to our final meeting on April 2.  I realize that this is a busy day at St. Patrick with all the preparations for observance of the Holy Triduum, so I understand that some of you may have other obligations.  I know we'll all do our best.  The most important part of our Bible study is always the work that you do at home.  Whether you can attend the meetings or not, which I hope do add meaning to the study, please allow the time to finish strong and complete the lessons you have missed.  Each lesson builds on the next.  Having a firm grasp on the Pastoral Letters will make you best prepared to start the Letter to the Hebrews next year.

Notes for Titus 2

Titus 1

So, we're on to the last of the Pastoral Letters.  We talked about what we know about Titus--some of it known fact from scripture and some of it that might be supposed legend.  What we know for certain is that he was given a huge task in staying behind in Crete to organize churches in the many small communities around the island.  We also know that Crete was known for its reputation of being a not-so-moral part of the Roman empire.

Here are some of the links that I promised, starting with my notes for this chapter:

Notes for Titus1

We also talked about the Little Black Books that are available for purchase at our parish.  Here is the link to the publisher that sells the whole collection of Little Books in case you're interested in getting any of the other devotionals for the rest of the year.
Little Books

Also, I mentioned my plans to try and get enough participants to do a summer book club about the book Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.  To introduce the book to those of you who have never heard of it, here is a link to a YouTube video of Fr. Robert Barron discussing the book.  Note that he calls the book, "One of the most important books of the decade."  That's a lot coming from such an important voice of the Catholic Church.  At our next meeting I will have a handout with a registration slip for this book club.  In order to make the club a worthwhile effort, I think we will need to get at least a dozen people to sign up before I go ahead with plans to reserve a room and put it on the church calendar.

By the way, this link is to an entry on a site called "Patheos."  We had talked about how we would be able to learn about other faiths in order to have a good discussion with people who worship and believe differently than we do--to start by talking about our similarities before we talk about our differences.  Patheos is a good resource for that very purpose.  It is a collection of blogs, articles, and an opportunity to enter into dialogue with people of many different faiths.  A site that is very well done.  To browse what is on this site, just click on the banner at the very top of the page (after you watch the video, of course) and you will be able to check out the entries on the banners listed on the site.
Fr. Robert Barron on Forming Intentional Disciples

See you on March 19th for Titus 2.

2 Timothy 3 and 4

The cold weather (inside) kept us on track to get through two lessons in one meeting--and finish on time!  We finished up 2 Timothy and will move on to Titus at our next lesson on March 5.

Here are my notes for the  lesson as well as some links that I promised at our meeting:
Notes for 2 Timothy 3 and 4

On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering
An Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II, written in 1984

Sample of the Endow Course Material for the Study of JPII's Letter
On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering  
(Click on the link and sample material will download to computer.) 

Saint's Name Generator 
Today we discussed the importance of learning more about the lives of the saints--our friends in heaven.  The Saint's Name Generator is a fun way to begin.  Let the program choose a saint just for you! 

Saints Index from SQPN 
This is another excellent source for learning more about the saints.  Know of some others?  Add them to the comments section below.  A commitment to learn more about a particular saint would be an excellent Lenten project. 

Cancelled

This week's meeting has been cancelled.  We will cover both 2 Timothy 3 and 4 at our next gathering on February 19.

2 Timothy 2

How appropriate to be posting the notes from our last meeting on the Feast of Sts. Timothy and Titus!

This lesson included some excellent metaphors for what it means to be a disciple.  We are to be like soldiers (Confirmation gives us the grace to be defenders of the faith!), athletes, and farmers.  It would be a good exercise to meditate further about what that means.  During our meeting we discussed how each of these vocations requires dedication, devotion, obedience, forbearance, self-sacrifice--to name just a few.  True, Paul is writing about priests, bishops, and other consecrated persons, but what he is saying applies to lay people as well.  We are to cultivate all of the same virtues as we serve our family--the Domestic Church--and our Church family as well.

Here are my notes from the lesson:
Notes for 2 Timothy 2.

See you on February 5 for 2 Timothy 3. 

2 Timothy 1

Sorry that it's taken me so long to post the notes from our last lesson.  Of course, it always seems that the more time we have to accomplish something, the longer it takes us to do so.  Procrastination.

It worked out beautifully to start the new year with a new Pauline letter, 2 Timothy.  Our first lesson was jam packed with introductory material and covering the initial chapter.  This next lesson should move at a more leisurely pace--we would imagine.

Here are my personal notes from the first chapter of 2 Timothy:
Notes 2 Timothy 1

See you on January 22 for 2 Timothy 2, Catholic Commentary pgs.156-176.