Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Day 2 Lack of Faith
I'm getting a early start on my second post. I am having a little problem with the scripture below because, according Catholic tradition, Jesus did not have any biological brothers or sisters. I need to look up some old stuff to see where that came from and how the passage below is interpreted.
Found - The following is an excerpt from Catholic Answers
Bad Aramaic Made Easy By Jimmy Akin"It is unlikely that the term "brother" is being used figuratively or mystically because all Christians are Christ's brothers in that sense, making it pointless to single out certain individuals for this description. Full brother is impossible, as Protestants also acknowledge, since Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. Half-brother is ruled out by the fact that Mary remained a virgin. It is possible they were adoptive brothers, but there does not seem to be any evidence for this in the biblical or patristic record.More plausibly, they were step-brothers: children of Joseph who were Jesus' brothers by marriage. There is some evidence for this in the writings of early Christians. The earliest discussion of the matter that we have--in a document known as the Protoevangelium of James (c. A.D. 120)--states that Joseph was a widower who already had a family and thus was willing to become the guardian of a consecrated virgin. Though not inspired, the document was written within living memory of Mary, when Christ's family was still well known, as other sources attest (e.g., second century historian Hegisippus). It may contain accurate traditions regarding the family structure."
According to the Dcn. John Cameron - a biblical scholar and JCL, this is a sound explanation of the Catholic position.
GospelMk 6:1-6Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,and many who heard him were astonished. They said, Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them,A prophet is not without honor except in his native placeand among his own kin and in his own house. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.He was amazed at their lack of faith.
My Reflection
The Gospel continues the theme of yesterday, this time, however, he (Jesus) points out that the lack of faith removes even his ability to work effectively among the people of his own town. This strikes a cord of memory with me.
I remember vividly learning to ride a two wheel bike. My family was living in Three Rivers, Michigan and I was around 6 or 7. My parents got me a Davy Crocket bike with a horn and neat streamers on the handle bars. I road around with training wheels until my father decided it was time to get rid of them. He took me out on the sidewalk in front of our house and had me get on. He held the bike while I climbed up. He instructed me to start riding. I remember telling him But dad, Ill fall. I cant do this. Please put the training wheels back on!
He insisted and I started to peddle with him trotting along beside me. I went faster. When I looked back I saw a sight that shocked me. My dad was standing there in the sidewalk about a house and a half back. He waved at me to look where I was going but it was too late. I suddenly realized I was on my own and, with my lack of faith to aid me, I immediately crashed.
Faith is an amazing thing (no pun intended). It can make the weak strong; the timid bold; and give the lions strength to those who have it. To those who lack it well there often lies depression and hopelessness.
So how do we get it if we dont seem to have it. There is the problem. You can't buy it, it is a gift freely given. No one else can get it for you or give it to you. Somehow you need to reach out and take it.
As I said earlier in this log, I have a problem with my faith and have to work at it each day. The way I have found most effective is to simply pray. Talk to God the Father as my father. Then listen in my life for His answers.
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Day 2 Lack of Faith
I'm getting a early start on my second post. I am having a little problem with the scripture below because, according Catholic tradition, Jesus did not have any biological brothers or sisters. I need to look up some old stuff to see where that came from and how the passage below is interpreted.
Found - The following is an excerpt from Catholic Answers
Bad Aramaic Made Easy By Jimmy Akin"It is unlikely that the term "brother" is being used figuratively or mystically because all Christians are Christ's brothers in that sense, making it pointless to single out certain individuals for this description. Full brother is impossible, as Protestants also acknowledge, since Jesus was not the biological child of Joseph. Half-brother is ruled out by the fact that Mary remained a virgin. It is possible they were adoptive brothers, but there does not seem to be any evidence for this in the biblical or patristic record.More plausibly, they were step-brothers: children of Joseph who were Jesus' brothers by marriage. There is some evidence for this in the writings of early Christians. The earliest discussion of the matter that we have--in a document known as the Protoevangelium of James (c. A.D. 120)--states that Joseph was a widower who already had a family and thus was willing to become the guardian of a consecrated virgin. Though not inspired, the document was written within living memory of Mary, when Christ's family was still well known, as other sources attest (e.g., second century historian Hegisippus). It may contain accurate traditions regarding the family structure."
According to the Dcn. John Cameron - a biblical scholar and JCL, this is a sound explanation of the Catholic position.
GospelMk 6:1-6Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,and many who heard him were astonished. They said, Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them,A prophet is not without honor except in his native placeand among his own kin and in his own house. So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.He was amazed at their lack of faith.
My Reflection
The Gospel continues the theme of yesterday, this time, however, he (Jesus) points out that the lack of faith removes even his ability to work effectively among the people of his own town. This strikes a cord of memory with me.
I remember vividly learning to ride a two wheel bike. My family was living in Three Rivers, Michigan and I was around 6 or 7. My parents got me a Davy Crocket bike with a horn and neat streamers on the handle bars. I road around with training wheels until my father decided it was time to get rid of them. He took me out on the sidewalk in front of our house and had me get on. He held the bike while I climbed up. He instructed me to start riding. I remember telling him But dad, Ill fall. I cant do this. Please put the training wheels back on!
He insisted and I started to peddle with him trotting along beside me. I went faster. When I looked back I saw a sight that shocked me. My dad was standing there in the sidewalk about a house and a half back. He waved at me to look where I was going but it was too late. I suddenly realized I was on my own and, with my lack of faith to aid me, I immediately crashed.
Faith is an amazing thing (no pun intended). It can make the weak strong; the timid bold; and give the lions strength to those who have it. To those who lack it well there often lies depression and hopelessness.
So how do we get it if we dont seem to have it. There is the problem. You can't buy it, it is a gift freely given. No one else can get it for you or give it to you. Somehow you need to reach out and take it.
As I said earlier in this log, I have a problem with my faith and have to work at it each day. The way I have found most effective is to simply pray. Talk to God the Father as my father. Then listen in my life for His answers.
posted by Deacon Jim | 12:52 PM
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