Lesson Three Notes, Plus

We had quite a discussion yesterday. It's tough solving all these theological dilemmas! And in just a couple of hours.

I did have a few notes from yesterday's lesson, so I thought I would post them in case anyone is interested. They are primarily in regard to the historical vs. hermeneutical (I've got to get this word out of my head!) interpretation of the Old and New Covenants--the Letter and the Spirit.

Lesson Three Notes

If you have a moment, you might want to check out an item I saw the other day. It is an entry on a blog about "The Gift of Tears." I had never heard this idea before, but being someone who has been blessed (cursed?) with this gift, I found this column interesting. Some people inherit great wealth, others good looks. This was my inheritance. Thanks a lot Mom and Dad.

Lesson Three: "Who Is Equal to Such a Task?"

This marks the beginning of a detour that Paul takes in his letter. In this lesson and the next, we're going to be talking about the Old and the New Covenant--the Law and the Spirit. We've talked about this in past lessons, but now we're going to get into even deeper theology behind these distinctions.

Study Guide for Lesson Three: "Who Is Equal to Such a Task?"

We'll see you all on October 29.

Lesson Two: Paul's Change of Plans

I had hoped to finish this study guide before the first pitch of the Twins' game this afternoon, but it didn't work out that way. I've still been watching as I've finished up. Blame baseball if the end of the lesson is a little fuzzy.

Backing up for a minute... I forgot to post my notes after our last meeting. If you're interested, you can get them at:
Lesson One Notes

Now we're up to speed...Here's the link for the study guide for the new lesson:
Lesson Two Study Guide

It's the bottom of the fourth and 3-1 Detroit. Now I'm really praying.
See you October 15.

Introduction and Lesson One: Overview

The first lesson is one of the most time consuming lessons of the whole year, so I wanted to get this study guide out as quickly as possible. It took me a while to get through it myself. My advice is to start by reading the whole letter through with Questions #1 and 2 on pgs.15-16 in the LifeChange book in mind as you do so. Then begin working on reading and answering the remaining questions on 1:1-11.

To print the study guide for this lesson, click on this link:
Study Guide for Introduction and Lesson One

See you on October 1.

First Day

I hope everyone enjoyed today's discussion on "The Way of a Pilgrim." We covered the big messages, but there's so much more to this book that we just didn't have time for in our two hours together. We may have to talk about this one some more in the next few weeks. I don't know about you, but this is a book that will stick with me for awhile.

If you would like to download a copy of the study guide for this book with my notes attached, you are welcome to do so. Hope they make some sense.
"The Way of a Pilgrim" Study Guide w/Responses

So, now we begin Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians. Don't forget, the first lesson can be especially time consuming because of the overview. I do think it is a good idea to read the whole letter before we begin to parse it out, so do try and get that part of the assignment done if at all possible. I will get the study guide up for the first lesson as soon as it's ready.

Welcome back. And a special welcome to our new members!

The Way of a Pilgrim

Believe it or not, I finally have a study guide ready for our summer book. Sorry that it's taken so long. Even though I'm a little later than I had hoped, there should still be plenty of time to read the book and work on the questions before we have our first meeting on Thursday, September 17.

Outside of the Bible and our Catechism, this might be one of the best books on faith that I have ever read. My copy is covered with highlighting, comments, and starred sections, and I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about it.

During our first meeting, I will ask everyone to share at least one of their responses to questions #4 and #9. That's your homework for the summer. That and coming in September ready to talk about this great book! (If everyone comes to the meeting "just wanting to listen", it's not going to be very interesting.)

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Study Guide for The Way of a Pilgrim

Year for Priests

Today on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Church begins a Jubilee Year for Priests. I have provided a link to the USCCB website devoted to this celebration of the priesthood. Click on the artwork below to access this information, and don't forget to pray for all of our priests.



Please Pray for Priests
Dear Lord,
we pray that the Blessed Mother
wrap her mantle around your priests
and through her intercession
strengthen them for their ministry.
We pray that Mary will guide your priests
to follow her own words,
“Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph,
Mary’s most chaste spouse.
May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart
inspire them to embrace
all who suffer at the foot of the cross.
May your priests be holy,
filled with the fire of your love
seeking nothing but your greater glory
and the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Saint John Vianney, pray for us.