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WELCOME to CBI 2016-19 Catholic Bible Institute in the Diocese of Orange

Join us for a day focused on the Catholic Epistles, featuring sessions, discussions, and reflection papers. Explore the composition, history, and overall impressions of the Epistle to the Hebrews and other Catholic Epistles. Donations requested. Books of the month available.

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WELCOME to CBI 2016-19 Catholic Bible Institute in the Diocese of Orange

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  1. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles WELCOMEtoCBI 2016-19Catholic Bible Institute in the Diocese of Orange March 18, 2017Catholic Epistles

  2. Song: All Are Welcome (vv. 1-3) Reading:James 4:1-10 Responsorial:Ps 4:2-6 Intercessions Collect Prayer Song: All Are Welcome (vv. 4-5) March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Opening Prayer:

  3. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles

  4. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles

  5. [No more 8:00 a.m. Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel] 8:30 Gathering; Handouts; Refreshments 8:45 Welcome & Opening Prayer 9:00 Session 1 (10:00 Q&A and/or Table-Group Discussions) 10:15 Break 10:30 Session 2 (11:30 Q&A and/or Table-Group Discussions) 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Session 3 (2:00 Q&A and/or Table-Group Discussions) 2:15 Break 2:30 Session 4 (3:30 Q&A and/or Table-Group Discussions) 3:50 Final Announcements & Closing Prayer 4:00 Clean-up & Departure March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Daily Schedule (Green HO from Aug.)

  6. From “Dynamic Catholic” • Donation Requested: $5 each March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Books of the Month:

  7. From Paulist Press (prices as listed) March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Books of the Month:

  8. Reflection Paper, e-mailed to your reader by March 4: • On Col 1, orEph 4, or1 Tim 3–4, or2 Tim 2, or Titus 1–2 • Follow Guidelines from Lilac Handout from August Readings for Today, March 18: Catholic Epistles • BIBLE: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude • BROWN: Chapters 12-14, 32–36 • POWELL: Chapters 23-28 • RALPH: Chapters 22–27 March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Year 1 Syllabus(Salmon HO from Aug.)

  9. “Hebrews” & “Catholic Epistles” • Use of the Catholic Epistles in the Lectionary for Mass • Overview: Definitions, Literary Genres, Authors, Dates • The so-called “Letter to the Hebrews” • Christ as Victim and High Priest • Definition and Models of Faith March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Session 1:

  10. Hebr: Sundays, Ord.Time, Years B & C James: Ord.Time, Year B, Sun. 22-26 1 Peter: Easter, Yr A 1 John: Easter, Yr B 2 Pet, 2/3 John, Jude:rarely; weekdays See HO, pg. 2 March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Catholic Epistles in Lectionary

  11. Jan. 16, 2016 – Life & Letters of St. Paul NT Letters & Epistles • Definitions: • Letter – personal, actually sent to indiv. or cmty • Epistle – more formal, literary text, like “encyclical” • Distinctions: • Pauline – written by (or attributed to) St. Paul • Undisputed (authentic) vs. Disputed (deutero-Pauline) • Pastoral Letters; Letters from Prison • Catholic – written by other apostles TO broader groups • Hebrews, James, 1/2 Peter, 1/2/3 John, Jude

  12. Catholic Lettersin Canonical Order • Hebrews  (13 ch. / 303 vv. / 4953 words) • James  (5 / 108 / 1742) • 1 Peter  (5 / 105 / 1684) • 2 Peter  (3 / 61 / 1099) • 1 John  (5 / 105 / 2141) • 2 John  (1 / 13 / 245) • 3 John  (1 / 15 / 219) • Jude  (1 / 25 / 461)

  13. Issues of Composition History: • By whom? (attributed author) • To whom? (recipients named?) • When? (date) • Where? (location) • What? (literary genre) • How? (language) • Why? (purpose) • See HO, pg. 3-4 March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Catholic Epistles: Overviews

  14. Turn to ONE neighbor (or at most two), and briefly share: What were your overall impressions as you read the Epistle to the HEBREWS? What stood out for you or surprised you? How did reading this text affect you? March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Initial Sharing in Pairs:

  15. Definitely notby Paul • Not even explicitly attributed to him. • Contrary to all other letters & epistles, the opening of Hebrews doesn’t name its author. • For centuries, it was counted as 14th work in Pauline corpus, mainly because the ending mentions Timothy (see Heb 13:23). • Literary genre: Heb is not really a “letter”; rather, a “homily” (scripture-based sermon). March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles “Epistle” (?) to the “Hebrews”?

  16. Structure of Hebrews(vs. most Ancient Letters; Jan. HO, p. 23)

  17. Introduction (1:1-3) • Superiority of Jesus as God's Son (1:4—4:13) • Superiority of Jesus' priesthood (4:14—7:28) • Superiority of Jesus' sacrifice & ministry (8:1—10:18) • Faith & endurance: availing oneself of Jesus' priestly work (10:19—12:29) • Injunctions about practice (13:1-19) • Conclusion: blessings and greetings (13:20-25) March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Structure of Hebrews? (HO, pg. 5)

  18. Most of Heb is a theological treatise: • many biblical quotations & interpretations • only a few scattered words of exhortation • Heb 12-13 filled with explicit exhortations: • esp. calling for perseverence in running the race, endurance in disciplinary suffering, steadfastness in faith, harmony among believers, mutual love, care for prisoners, hospitality to strangers, morality in sexual relationships, respect and obedience for leaders, sharing of goods, prayer for one another, praise of God, etc. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Purpose of Hebrews

  19. Names/Titles: • Jesus; Son; Christ • Jesus is superior to all others: • Prophets; Angels; Moses; Joshua; Aaron • Greater than any Jewish High Priest • Psalm 110:4 • “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (NRSV) – Huh? March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Christology of Hebrews (pg. 6)

  20. Priests – Heb. kohen; Gk. hiereus= “cultic officials, who offer sacrifices, serve in temples” • Most religions have “priests”, not just Judaism & Xnty • Presbyters / Elders – Heb. zaqen; Gk. presbyteros= “older men, local community leaders” • Cf. English presider, to preside, president, etc. • Holy / Sacred – Heb. qadosh; Gkhagios = “set apart, dedicated to God” (vs. secular, common) • Sacrifice – Heb. zebach; Gk. thusia = “offerings to God” (animals, grains, fruits; later spiritualized) • Eucharist – Gk. eucharistia = “thanksgiving”(at first a ritual meal, later seen more as a sacrifice) Priesthood – Defs.

  21. “Priests” in the OT • At first, anywhere; later: Jerusalem Temple • “Priests” in the NT • mostly those in Jerusalem/Jewish temple • only Heb. calls Jesus a priest: but is he? how? • “holy/royal priesthood” = whole community(1 Pet) • “Priests” in the Church • Apply the both/and approach March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Priesthood in the Bible (pg. 9)

  22. Can Jesus be considered a “priest”? • Acc. to Hebrew Bible criteria: NO! • All priests are from the Tribe of LEVI • But Jesus is from the Tribe of JUDAH • Only “Hebrews” considers Jesus a priest • But one of a different sort: Melchizedek • From the times of Abraham, not just Levi! March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Jesus, the Great High Priest

  23. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Gen 14:Abraham & Melchi-zedek

  24. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles – HO, pg. 7-8

  25. March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles

  26. HO, pg. 6: Chart comparing Jewish (High) Priests and Jesus, as Priest and Sacrifice March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Jesus’ Priestly Ministry

  27. “Faith” in Epistle to the Hebrews (HO, pg. 5) • Heb 11:1 – “Now faith is… • the assurance of things hoped for, • and the conviction of things not seen.” • “assurance” • Gk. hypostasis (“substance, nature, essence”) • “conviction” • Gk. elenchos (“verification, evidence”) • References: • “things hoped for” = future realities • “things not seen” = spiritual realities

  28. Models of Faith in Hebrews • Heb 11 – Ancestors in Faith (OT) • Intro, Creation, Abel, Enoch, Comment, Noah • Abraham, Comment, More Abraham • Isaac, Jacob, Joseph • Moses, Israelites crossing Red Sea • Israelites at Jericho; Rahab at Jericho • Many others • Heb 12:1 – “Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith” • Heb 13 – Living Faith in Practice

  29. Dynamics of Faith in Hebrews • Comments by the Author: • “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (11:6) • “All these died without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them...” (11:13-16) • All these OT figures died without having received the fulfillment of God’s promises! (11:39-40) • A “great cloud of witnesses,” examples for us

  30. Dynamics of Faith in Hebrews • “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” (12:1-3)

  31. Benedict XVI: Porta Fidei 13. One thing that will be of decisive importance in this Year is retracing the history of our faith, marked as it is by the unfathomable mystery of the interweaving of holiness and sin. While the former highlights the great contribution that men and women have made to the growth and development of the community through the witness of their lives, the latter must provoke in each person a sincere and continuing work of conversion in order to experience the mercy of the Father which is held out to everyone. During this time we will need to keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus Christ, the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2): in him, all the anguish and all the longing of the human heart finds fulfilment. The joy of love, the answer to the drama of suffering and pain, the power of forgiveness in the face of an offence received and the victory of life over the emptiness of death: all this finds fulfilment in the mystery of his Incarnation, in his becoming man, in his sharing our human weakness so as to transform it by the power of his resurrection.In him who died and rose again for our salvation, the examples of faith that have marked these two thousand years of our salvation history are brought into the fullness of light.

  32. Benedict XVI: Porta Fidei • By faith, Mary accepted the Angel’s word and believed the message… • By faith, the Apostles left everything to follow their Master (cf. Mk 10:28). They believed the words with which he proclaimed the Kingdom of God… • By faith, the disciples formed the first community, gathered around the teaching of the Apostles, in prayer, in celebration of the Eucharist, holding their possessions in common… (cf. Acts 2:42-47). • By faith, the martyrs gave their lives, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel… • By faith, men and women have consecrated their lives to Christ, leaving all things behind so as to live obedience, poverty and chastity… • By faith, across the centuries, men and women of all ages, whose names are written in the Book of Life (cf. Rev 7:9, 13:8), have confessed the beauty of following the Lord Jesus wherever they were called to bear witness to the fact that they were Christian: in the family, in the workplace, in public life, in the exercise of the charisms and ministries to which they were called. • By faith, we too live: by the living recognition of the Lord Jesus, present in our lives and in our history.

  33. “That’s What Faith Must Be” • Song by Michael Card Refrain:To hear with my heart, to see with my soul,To be guided by a hand I cannot hold,To trust in a way that I cannot see,That’s what faith must be. Verse 3:Now I understand that there is a keyIt's Jesus in me, a realityThat God is in Christ and that Christ's in meThat with faith I see what is unseen.

  34. Summary: Biblical Foundations of Faith • Old Testament – God is faithful, so trust/obey/act • Synoptic Gospels – Trusting in Power of Jesus • Gospel of John – Believing for Eternal Life • Acts of Apostles – Faith in Response to Kerygma • Letters of Paul – Justification by Faith of Jesus • Epistle of James – Faith and Good Works • Epistle to the Hebrews – Definition & Models • [other Catholic Epistles & Book of Revelation]

  35. Questions? Comments? Discussion? • Thank You for attending & participating! • May your own faith continue to deepen! • Audio-CD Program (Now You Know Media): What Is Faith? Gift, Mystery, Life!

  36. Who, for you, are the best biblical examples of faith/believing? Why? March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Table-Group Discussions

  37. Overview of Jude, esp. its use of Scripture Authorship, Authenticity, Dating of James Literary Genre & Contents of James Contrasts between James and Paul on Faith & Works March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Session 2: James & Jude

  38. Structure/Outline • Authorship/Authenticity • Use of Scripture & Non-canonical texts • Rhetorical Techniques March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Epistle OF Jude (pg. 10)

  39. Structure/Outlines • Ch. 1 Intro; Ch. 2-5 Expansion • Authorship/Authenticity • Disputed; which “James”? • Faith & Good Works • (we’ll come back to this) • Ethical Teachings of Jesus • Compare Matthew, esp. Sermon on Mount March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Epistle OF JAMES (pp. 11-12)

  40. Dangers of the Tongue • Frequent theme; many analogies! • Dangers of Riches • Esp. James 1:9-11; 2:1-7; 5:1-6 • Forgiveness of Sins & Anointing the Sick • Mostly James 5:13-20 March 18, 2017 – Catholic Epistles Other Themes in James (p. 12)

  41. Faith in Paul’s Letters • Key Concept for Paul • Very frequent use of “faith” vocab. • Many short creedal statements: • Focus on Jesus’ Death, Resurrection, Parousia • Focus on Jesus’ relation to Father and Spirit • Trio of Theological Virtues:Faith, Hope, Love

  42. Paul: Dynamics of Faith • Rom 10:9-17 – “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. / For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. // But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? / So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”

  43. Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Love • 1 Corinthians 13 “…if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. / Love is patient; love is kind… It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. / And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” • Combined in other Pauline letters: • 1 Thess 1:2-3; 5:8 • Phlm 4-5 • Eph 4:1-6

  44. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians • Gal 2:16 “We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith ofJesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law.” • Meaning of “Justification”? • Not a state of being, but a process! • “Faith OF Jesus” vs. “Faith IN Jesus”? • Cf. Gal 3:22; Rom 3:22, 26; Phil 3:9

  45. Faith and Love in Galatians • Gal 5:5-6 “For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. / …the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”

  46. Epistle of James • Main Themes of James: • Faith in Action, Enduring Trials, • Riches, Speech, Undoubting Prayer • Sample Texts in James: • 1:22-27 – “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves… Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” • 2:1 – “My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” • 2:5-8 – “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith…?” / “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

  47. James 2:14-26 14 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren?

  48. James 2:14-26 (cont.) 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," (Gen 15:6) and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.”

  49. James: Faith, Prayer, Healing • James 5:13-16 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. / Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. / The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. / Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

  50. Contrasting Paul & James • Different audiences, different situations/problems, different presuppositions, different emphases • Paul opposes opinion that “works of the law” are necessary for Gentile converts; foundation of our salvation is death of Jesus, not Law/Torah of Moses • James combats opinion that professing faith in God is enough for salvation; Christians must build on their faith, put our faith into action. • Incorrect interpretations & apparent contradiction: • Paul supposedly said: Justification comes by our faith in Jesus alone, not by our good works. • James supposedly said: Justification comes by our good works, not by our faith in God.

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