How could 2 Peter 2:1 be about protestants only?

This is from a discussion I'm having with a Protestant named Bob, here.

Bob said:
I’d like to address some of your points. How could 2 Peter 2:1 be about protestants only? In fact we already see in Revelation 1-3 where the Lord Christ Himself is rebuking various churches for holding to false doctrines. 

In regards to your church we could look at a number of examples of its teachings and see if they line up with Scripture. Take Mary’s sinlessness. No one in the New Testament taught she was without sin and in fact acknowledges her need of a Savior in Luke 1:47. To claim she would was without sin would contradict Romans 3:9 for example. Have you ever read The Glories of Mary by Alfonso Ligori? 

Do you also believe that all grace comes through Mary? 

What is your definition of Sola Scriptura? I want to know if we agree on what it is before I can agree with you that its false. 

Here is what a couple of Roman Catholic scholars say about the woman of Rev 12:
Raymond Brown and J.A. Fitzmyer, editors of the Jerome Biblical Commentary (2:482):
“a woman: Most of the ancient commentators identified her with the Church; in the Middle Ages it was widely held that she represented Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Modern exegetes have generally adopted the older interpretation, with certain modifications. 

In recent years several Catholics have championed the Marian interpretation. Numerous contextual details, however, are ill-suited to such an explanation. For example, we are scarcely to think that Mary endured the worst of the pains of childbirth (v. 2), that she was pursued into the desert after the birth of her child (6, 13ff.), or, finally, that she was persecuted through her other children (v. 17). The emphasis on the persecution of the woman is really appropriate only if she represents the Church, which is presented throughout the book as oppressed by the forces of evil, yet protected by God. Furthermore, the image of a woman is common in ancient Oriental secular literature as well as in the Bible (e.g., Is 50:1; Jer 50:12) as a symbol for a people, a nation, or a city. It is fitting, then, to see in this woman the People of God, the true Israel of the OT and NT.” 

You use Matthew 19:21 as the basis for indulgences but the verse in context has nothing to do with the idea of “the extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishment due, in God’s justice, to sin that has been forgiven”. There is no mention of any kind of sacrament in this passage. I don’t get it. 

Even the Old Testament passages don’t support this idea. It is true there can be and usually consequences of sin in our lives but there is no promise in Scripture that these consequences will be alleviated because of some sacrament. 

Where does it say in Matthew 19:21 or anywhere in Scripture that one man’s treasure in heaven can be used for others? Where does it say in Scripture that the church can use these “extra treasures” for others? 

Trust me. I don’t want to scare you but i want to understand how you arrive at your beliefs that Roman Catholic doctrines are true. 

If by the merits of Christ all mankind is saved then why is there a continual warning about hell? If all are saved, then there can be no hell. 

Getting back to the claim that Mary was without sin based on Luke 1:28 here is what a New Testament Greek lexicon says what the words “favored one” mean: “To grace, highly honor or greatly favor. In the NT spoken only of the divine favor, as to the virgin Mary in Luke 1:28, kecharit?mén?, the perf. pass. part. sing. fem. The verb charitó? declares the virgin Mary to be highly favored, approved of God to conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. The only other use of charitó? is in Eph. 1:6 where believers are said to be “accepted in the beloved,” i.e., objects of grace. (See huiothesía [5206], adoption, occurring in Eph. 1:5) In charitó? there is not only the impartation of God’s grace, but also the adoption into God’s family in imparting special favor in distinction to charízomai 

Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) 

As you can see, it does not mean she was without sin. It does not even mention it.
Again, Matthew 18 has nothing to do with traditions or doctrines but only with church discipline. Good exegesis requires us not to go beyond what is written. Claiming its about Traditions is to go beyond what this passage is saying.

I’ll address your other points next.

My response:

Hi Bob,  

I’d like to address some of your points. How could 2 Peter 2:1 be about protestants only?

Did I say Protestants ONLY?  I meant Protestants ALSO.  There have been many heresies which the Catholic Church defeated in 2000 years.

 In fact we already see in Revelation 1-3 where the Lord Christ Himself is rebuking various churches for holding to false doctrines.

True.

In regards to your church we could look at a number of examples of its teachings and see if they line up with Scripture. 

Awesome!  Let's also look at the Reformers doctrines.  You've yet to show any evidence of their being in Scripture.  You just sort of expect us to take your word for it.

Take Mary’s sinlessness. No one in the New Testament taught she was without sin

This is very repetitious.  We already discussed it above.  Do you think that you repeating Protestant lies is going to make them true?  I repeat, St. Luke taught the doctrine in verse 1:28 where he calls her "kecharitomene" which means "always full of grace."

And no one in the New Testament denies that teaching.

 and in fact acknowledges her need of a Savior in Luke 1:47. 

True.  She received these mighty gifts of God because of Jesus.  Therefore, Jesus is her Savior also.

To claim she would was without sin would contradict Romans 3:9 for example.

No, it wouldn't because St. Paul says in Rom 5:14 that some have not sinned:

Romans 5:14

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

 Have you ever read The Glories of Mary by Alfonso Ligori?

Yes.  I love the book.  I call myself "De Maria" partially because of St. Alphonsus "de Marie" Liguori and partially because of St. Louis "Marie" de Montfort.

Do you also believe that all grace comes through Mary?

Is Jesus "all grace"?  Was He born of Mary?

What is your definition of Sola Scriptura? I want to know if we agree on what it is before I can agree with you that its false.

YOU tell me.  It is your doctrine.  But when you tell me, make sure to show me from Scripture.  

Here is what a couple of Roman Catholic scholars say about the woman of Rev 12:

Raymond Brown and J.A. Fitzmyer, editors of the Jerome Biblical Commentary (2:482):

“a woman: Most of the ancient commentators identified her with the Church; in the Middle Ages it was widely held that she represented Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Modern exegetes have generally adopted the older interpretation, with certain modifications.In recent years several Catholics have championed the Marian interpretation. Numerous contextual details, however, are ill-suited to such an explanation. For example, we are scarcely to think that Mary endured the worst of the pains of childbirth (v. 2), that she was pursued into the desert after the birth of her child (6, 13ff.), or, finally, that she was persecuted through her other children (v. 17). The emphasis on the persecution of the woman is really appropriate only if she represents the Church, which is presented throughout the book as oppressed by the forces of evil, yet protected by God. Furthermore, the image of a woman is common in ancient Oriental secular literature as well as in the Bible (e.g., Is 50:1; Jer 50:12) as a symbol for a people, a nation, or a city. It is fitting, then, to see in this woman the People of God, the true Israel of the OT and NT.”

1st.  What's your point?  Do you believe everything these Catholics teach?  If you did, you would be a Catholic.  Because they are both faithful Catholics.

2nd.  These two Catholics are mistaken.  I can prove they are mistaken but I've already explained several other doctrines and you, "don't get it."  So, what's the point?

3rd.  I'll tackle that in a separate article.  

You use Matthew 19:21 as the basis for indulgences but the verse in context has nothing to do with the idea of “the extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishment due, in God’s justice, to sin that has been forgiven”. There is no mention of any kind of sacrament in this passage. I don’t get it.

I can tell that you don't understand it.  Your question is completely illogical.  The reason no sacrament is mentioned is because it is "extra-sacramental".  The fact that you ask this question and the way you word the question indicates that you are faking it.  You are trying Do you know what the prefix "extra" means?

extra-

a prefix meaning “outside,” “beyond,” freely used as an English formative: extrajudicial; extraterritorial; extra-atmospheric.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/extra

Even the Old Testament passages don’t support this idea. It is true there can be and usually consequences of sin in our lives but there is no promise in Scripture that these consequences will be alleviated because of some sacrament. Where does it say in Matthew 19:21 or anywhere in Scripture that one man’s treasure in heaven can be used for others? Where does it say in Scripture that the church can use these “extra treasures” for others.

You said you don't get it, leave it at that.  God doesn't expect everyone to be a theologian.

Trust me. 

That is the last thing in the world I will do.  You have admitted that you don't have faith in anything you don't understand.  Therefore, it is doubtful to me that you can believe in God.  Since the very idea of God is well beyond ANY MAN'S UNDERSTANDING.  Therefore, no, I do not trust you.

I don’t want to scare you

What makes you think you scare me?

 but i want to understand how you arrive at your beliefs that Roman Catholic doctrines are true.

I already told you.

If by the merits of Christ all mankind is saved then why is there a continual warning about hell? If all are saved, then there can be no hell.

Now it sounds like you're just making noise.  The Catholic Church teaches that the righteous are saved.  Not the wicked.  You interpreted my statement in a manner that goes against that which I believe and that which the Catholic Church teaches.

Getting back to the claim that Mary was without sin

Why?  I already explained it to you about five times in about three articles on Devin's blog.  Are you going to believe me if I explain it again?

based on Luke 1:28 here is what a New Testament Greek lexicon says what the words “favored one” mean: “To grace, highly honor or greatly favor. In the NT spoken only of the divine favor, as to the virgin Mary in Luke 1:28, kecharit?mén?, the perf. pass. part. sing. fem. The verb charitó? declares the virgin Mary to be highly favored, approved of God to conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. The only other use of charitó? is in Eph. 1:6 where believers are said to be “accepted in the beloved,” i.e., objects of grace. (See huiothesía [5206], adoption, occurring in Eph. 1:5) In charitó? there is not only the impartation of God’s grace, but also the adoption into God’s family in imparting special favor in distinction to charízomai

That is a Protestant Lexicon which passes on Protestant doctrine. Here is a Catholic Translation:

In other words, the perfect tense in Greek is a past tense with a special meaning: it is used to refer to a past action which has effects felt in the present. So, here's what some modern, English-speaking scholars tell us "Kecharitomene" denotes, based purely on the definition of the word and its grammatical usage: " 'Highly favoured' (kecharitomene). Perfect passive participle of charitoo and means endowed with grace (charis), enriched with grace as in Ephesians 1:6 . . . The Vulgate gratiae plena [full of grace] "is right, if it means 'full of grace which thou hast received'; wrong, if it means 'full of grace which thou hast to bestow' " (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 14) "It is permissible, on Greek grammatical and linguistic grounds, to paraphrase kecharitomene as completely, perfectly, enduringly endowed with grace." (Blass and DeBrunner, Greek Grammar of the New Testament). Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) As you can see, it does not mean she was without sin. It does not even mention it. Yes, it does.  You, just "don't get it."  In the meantime, you repeating the lies of your blind guides will not make them true. Again, Matthew 18 has nothing to do with traditions or doctrines but only with church discipline. Good exegesis requires us not to go beyond what is written. Claiming its about Traditions is to go beyond what this passage is saying. It is you going beyond what is written, since that verse does not limit itself church discipline to anything.

I’ll address your other points next.

Looking forward to it.

Links:

 Was He born of Mary?

Sola Scriptura

 The Catholic Church teaches that the righteous are saved.

Sincerely,

De Maria

February 1, 2013

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« January 31  |  February 2 »

Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 321

Reading 1 from the epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews
Heb 10:32-39

Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.

Remember the suffering you endured after you were baptized?

At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.

Sometimes you were personally humiliated and attacked publically.  At other times, you came to the aid of your brethren who were being persecuted.

You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.

You remembered those of us who were suffering in prison and accepted with joy when your property was taken from you.  Knowing that a far better reward awaits you in heaven.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.

Therefore, don't lose hope now.  You have come too far.

You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

To receive the Lord's promise, you must persevere to the end.

For, after just a brief moment,he who is to come shall come;he shall not delay.

 For God will not be long in coming.  

But my just one shall live by faith,and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him.

He who believes in God lives by faith and God will take no pleasure in him if he withdraws.

We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.

But we are not among those who withdraw, but among those who persevere in faith and have life everlasting. 

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40

R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.

If you have faith in the Lord, you will obey His Commandments and act righteously.  And He will in turn, protect you.   If you take delight in and love the Lord, He will grant your heart's requests.

The assumption being that your heart's desire is to be united to the Lord.  If you claim to love the Lord but desire money, you don't really love the Lord, you love money.  Get it?

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication.

Turn to the Lord and change your ways.  That your ways may be His ways and put all your trust in Him.  And He will respond.  He will justify your soul and cleanse you from your sins and He shall be your recompense.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him.

It is by the grace of God that a man turns to Him and lives.  Though a just man falls, he will not remain down, for God will raise him up again.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

God saves the just who keep His commandments because they have taken refuge in Him.

R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

God saves the righteous who keep His commandments.

The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 4:26-34

Jesus said to the crowds:
“This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.

Jesus said to the people.  My Father's kingdom is like a man who spreads his seed and the seed grows but the man knows not how it grows.

Of its own accord the land yields fruit,
first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.  And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

The farmer doesn't know how the grain grows, but when it is grown, he knows how to harvest it.

He said,
“To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,  is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.

To what can we compare my Fathers' kingdom?  It is like a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

But when it is grown, even the birds of the air make their nests in it.

With many such parables
he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it.
Without parables he did not speak to them,
but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

And Jesus used many such metaphors and riddles to speak to the people.  And without metaphors and riddles He did not speak to them.

January 31, 2013

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« January 30  |  February 1 »

Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Read more about St. John Bosco.

Lectionary: 320

Reading 1 from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews
Heb 10:19-25

Brothers and sisters:
Since through the Blood of Jesus

That means through the Blood which He shed for us on the Cross.  It also is a veiled reference to the Cup of Blessing, which is the Covenant of Salvation in His Blood.

His Blood is also a euphemism for Sanctifying Grace which is the Grace that He released when He was crucified and the Grace which is applied to us in the Sacraments.

Sanctifying Grace is a participation in God's life.
Blood is the life of the Body.
Therefore, Sanctifying Grace is the life of the Body of Christ.

we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary

 That means that it is now, not by works, but by our faith in Him that we are saved.

by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil,
that is, his flesh,

Because Christ united God and man in His Being when He took flesh, then His Flesh is the veil between Heaven and earth.  We pass through this veil when we consume His Flesh in the Eucharist.

and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,”

The house of God is heaven.  The house of God is also the Church (1 Tim 3:15).  Christ is the great Priest over the house of God.

let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust,

Because Christ is man, we can approach the Throne of God with complete trust.

The idea expressed in the past two verses is this.  Christ is man.  Therefore He is one of us.  Christ is God, therefore, He is the owner of the House.  Since He is one of us, when we enter His House, we enter our house.

Let me put it this way.  I live far from my Mom now.  When I go to see my Mom, if no one comes to the door, I take out my key and enter in with full confidence.  It is the house in which I was raised.  It is my house, too.

That is how we should feel about the Church.  That is how we should feel about heaven.

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed in pure water.

This is a direct reference to Baptism and to the Sacraments indirectly.  The Sacraments are all effusions of the Holy Spirit.  They are all outpourings of Sanctifying Grace.  Therefore all the Sacraments may be described as a Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

Our confession is our profession of faith in God.  We must make this profession before we are baptized, we must make this profession in lieu of our children's ability to do so when we have them baptized as infants, we make this profession every time we go to Mass.

We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.

This is a very appropriate verse for this year of the New Evangelization and year of faith wherein we are supposed to bring people to the Mass and to invite them to live a Christian life.

We should not stay away from our assembly,

That means that a remembrance of the life, suffering, death and resurrection of our Saviour is more important than even the Super Bowl.   Do not miss the Mass for inconsequential pleasures.  If you can incorporate the Mass into those celebrations, the better for you.  But do not replace the Mass with those things of the world:

Hebrews 10:25-31
King James Version (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

as is the custom of some, but encourage one another,
and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.

So, in this year of faith, let us encourage all our neighbors, friends and especially our family members who have fallen from the Church to come back and drink from the fountain of Grace which is given us in the Sacraments.

Responsorial Psalm
PS 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 6)  Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

In the response, we declare that we are hoping and waiting for our salvation, when we enter heaven and see the Face of God.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.

In this quatrain, we declare that God is Sovereign over all the earth.  We also declare that He made the earth and all that is in it.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.

The mountain of the Lord represents the path we take to righteousness.  It represents the process of our justification by faith and works.  No one can ascend the mountain of the Lord without the grace of God.

His Holy Place is both Heaven and the Church.  Only those who have chosen the path of righteousness and have washed their robes in the blood of Christ may stand therein.

R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Those who seek to do right and keep the Commandments will receive a blessing from God.  They shall be saved and eat of the Tree of Life.  It is only they who persevere in righteous works who shall receive this blessing:
Revelation 22:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 4:21-25

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket
or under a bed,
and not to be placed on a lampstand?

Jesus asked His disciples, "what do you do with a lamp?  Do you put it under a blanket?  Or do you put it on a stand where it may shed its light over the entire room?

The lamp represents our works.  Those lamps which we hide are our sins of which we are ashamed or which we hide with the wicked belief that we can avoid purnishment.

The lamps which we do for all to see are our good works, of which we are proud.

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible;
nothing is secret except to come to light.

 God sees all and will bring all our works to light, whether they be good or bad.

Anyone who has ears to hear ought to hear.”

This is hard to understand.  It think the word "hear" must mean "listen" and "obey".   In other words, "if you are listening, you ought to obey my words."

He also told them, “Take care what you hear.

 Therefore, "make sure that you do what I say."  There are consequences for obeying or disobeying the Word of God.

The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you,
and still more will be given to you.

Because,  the good that you do will be measured out to you in reward.
But, the evil that you do will be measured out to you in punishment.

To the one who has, more will be given;
from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

To the one who has faith, more will be given.
From the one who has not, even what he has, even that will be taken from him.

January 30, 2013

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« January 29  |  January 31 »

Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 319

Reading 1 from St. Paul's epistle to the Hebrews
Heb 10:11-18

Every priest stands daily at his ministry,
offering frequently those same sacrifices
that can never take away sins.

A reference to the Jewish faith and the Levitical priesthood which sacrifices do not effect justification in our souls.  As opposed to the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, which are the works of Christ and wash our souls of sin, effectively justifying us in God's eyes.

But this one offered one sacrifice for sins,
and took his seat forever at the right hand of God;
now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool.
For by one offering he has made perfect forever
those who are being consecrated.

"Being consecrated" is the key idea here.  For us, justification is a continuing process.  When we are baptized, we are "justified", "consecrated", "made holy".  To be "consecrated" is to be set apart for holy purposes.  Sanctified is also another word that could be used.  Well, the title of my blog is how we are consecrated, "washed, sanctified and justified".

So then, St. Paul is saying that Christ offered Himself ONCE for our sins and now sits at the right hand of God.  His one sacrifice released the grace which is now applied to us in the Sacraments for our continuing consecration to God.

When he says that Christ waits until His enemies are His footstool, that is a reference to the end of time when Christ will judge the world, reward the righteous, punish the wicked and give the whole universe back to the Father.

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying:
This is the covenant I will establish with themafter those days, says the Lord:“I will put my laws in their hearts,and I will write them upon their minds,” 

he also says:
Their sins and their evildoingI will remember no more. 

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

This is a confirmation of what was previously explained.  Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself once and offered Himself once for our sins.  Because He is God, there is no further need for Him to offer Himself again.  God died on the Cross and fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament.  Only He could do that:

Hebrews 9:16
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

The Testator of the Old Testament is God Himself.


The offering which we offer is HIS ONE OFFERING.  We don't offer our own.  We unite ourselves to His.  There is no need for another offering for sin.  Jesus offering suffices.  It is the only one that does.

Responsorial Psalm
ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4

R. (4b) You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand
till I make your enemies your footstool.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The scepter of your power the LORD will stretch forth from Zion:
“Rule in the midst of your enemies.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

“Yours is princely power in the day of your birth, in holy splendor;
before the daystar, like the dew, I have begotten you.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

The LORD has sworn, and he will not repent:
“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Sit at my right hand.... This is a reference to the current period.  Jesus is now sitting at the right hand of the Father awaiting the Day of Judgment when He will reward everyone according to their deeds (Rev 22:12).

Rule in the midst of your enemies....This is a reference to the awesome power of God through Christ.  No power on earth can stand against Him (Nahum 1:5-7).

Yours is princely power.... This is a direct reference to Christ who is the Son of God and thus the King of the whole world and of Heaven (Revelation 17:14).  It is also a hidden reference to the children of God who have now been revealed in the Sacrament of Baptism (Romans 8:21-23).

The Lord has sworn.... God has sworn and oath by His Word.  Mankind swears by God because there is no higher authority.  God also did so, because He wanted to emphasize that He is absolute authority (Hebrews 6:17).

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 4:1-20

On another occasion, Jesus began to teach by the sea.
A very large crowd gathered around him
so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down.

This is a reference to the Bark of Peter, from which Jesus preaches to this day.  The Bark of Peter is the Catholic Church.  Bark being an old name meaning boat.  Sometimes it's spelled "barque".

Anyway, because Christ speaks through the Church and St. Peter is the Pope, this is an apt symbol for the Catholic Church.

On this occasion, Jesus entered St. Peter's boat in order to speak to the multitudes.

And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land.
And he taught them at length in parables,
and in the course of his instruction he said to them,

The multitude was on land and Christ in the boat.  He spoke a long time in a story telling fashion, speaking in riddles and fables that transmitted spiritual truth.  One of those was the Parable of the Sower.

“Hear this! A sower went out to sow.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and the birds came and ate it up.

Listen!  A farmer scattered seed and some seed fell on the walkway rather than on the field.  And the birds came and ate the seed.

Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil.It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep.And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots.

Other seed fell on the rocks where there was little nourishment.  It grew quickly but when the sun came up, it was burned and died for its roots could not go deep because of the rocks.

Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain.

Still other seed fell among thistles and weeds and could not grow because the weeds sucked up the nutrients.  Therefore, the seed could produce no fruit.

And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit.
It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.”
He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

But the rest of the seed fell upon the field and produced much fruit, multiplying abundantly.

Whoever can hear out to listen.

And when he was alone,
those present along with the Twelve
questioned him about the parables.

When the crowds left, the Apostles asked Him about the Parables He had just taught the people.

He answered them,
“The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you.

He replied, "certainly, because the mysteries of God will be revealed to you."

That sounds strange to most.  But it confirms the Catholic Teaching that the Church is the infallible Teacher of God's Word.  The Apostles were the first members of the Church and the Church is built upon them.  Christ explained the mysteries to them, not so that they could keep it to themselves, but so that they could explain it to those who sought the knowledge through them.  This is the importance of the Church.

But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that
they may look and see but not perceive,and hear and listen but not understand,in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.”

Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 6:9.  At the time of Isaiah, the people of Israel were for the most part unrepentant and God was punishing them.  In the time of Jesus, the Pharisees and the leaders of Israel continued in the errors of their forefathers.

Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable?
Then how will you understand any of the parables?

Jesus implies that without Him, no one, not even the Apostles will be able to understand the mysteries of God.

The sower sows the word.
These are the ones on the path where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear, Satan comes at once
and takes away the word sown in them.

For the seed which landed in the grass, the seed is the Word of God.  The birds represent Satan.  The path is those people who have hardened their heart.  Since the seed remains visible because it is rejected, the birds come and eat it.  Therefore since the Word is rejected, Satan comes and snatches it.

And these are the ones sown on rocky ground who,
when they hear the word, receive it at once with joy.
But they have no roots; they last only for a time.
Then when tribulation or persecution comes because of the word,
they quickly fall away.

Rocky ground represents people of fickle character.  Although they received the Word when it is convenient.  As soon as their is a bit of trouble, they will let it go.

Those sown among thorns are another sort.
They are the people who hear the word,
but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches,
and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word,
and it bears no fruit.

The Word sown amongst thistles is another type.  These people are surrounded by distractions and anxieties and although they hear what is said, it does not register and they do not hold on to it.

But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it
and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”

But fertile soil represents the people who are hungry for the Word of God, who seek it out and want it and when they receive it, put it into action.  And their light is seen by many in the world who will also accept it.  And it multiplies and increases a hundredfold.

January 29, 2013

USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings

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Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 318

Reading 1 from St. Paul's epistle to the Hebrews
Heb 10:1-10

Brothers and sisters:
Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come,
and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect
those who come to worship by the same sacrifices
that they offer continually each year.

He is speaking of the Law of Moses.  Not the Ten Commandments.  I like to call the Law of Moses, the ordinances to distinguish them from the Ten Commandments.  But sometimes, they are called commandments as well.

Anyway, these ordinances, with the accompanying requirement to sacrifice certain animals at certain times of the year, were based upon the shadow of the New Covenant in the Blood of Christ.  They were not accompanied by Sanctifying grace.

Here's the difference.  In our ordinances, which we call the Seven Sacraments, we are cleansed of our sins by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.  At that time, we begin to walk upon Mt. Sion with the Saints of God.

In the Jewish ordinances, the Law of Moses, the sacrifices of animals did not bring about any true cleansing of the soul.  That is why the Patriarchs, (with the exceptions of  Enoch, Elijah and Moses) had to await the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord before they could enter the Heavenly Gates.

Do you want proof?  Skip over to the next Chapter:
Heb 11:

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.


In Heb 11, St. Paul speaks of the Patriarchs and all their good works of faith.  And yet, he reveals that they were not saved thereby.  But had to await the Crucifixion and our coming, the revelation of the children of God, before they were saved.

Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered,
since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer
have had any consciousness of sins?

This is a bit complicated to understand because we speak as though we still offer sacrifice for sins.  We actually don't.

1.  Jesus offered the ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice for sin.
2.  We enter into and participate in that ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice.
3.  Jesus, because He is God, did not need to offer any more sacrifices for sins, nor to offer Himself again.
4.  But we must enter into and participate in that ONCE FOR ALL sacrifice, through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist,  all believers in Christ need to apply the Sanctifying grace of God to their souls and because most of us continue to commit sins even after we first apply that Sanctifying grace to our souls in Baptism.

But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins,
for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats
take away sins. 

For this reason, when he came into the world, he said:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,but a body you prepared for me;in burnt offerings and sin offerings you took no delight.Then I said, As is written of me in the scroll,Behold, I come to do your will, O God. 

First he says, Sacrifices and offerings,
burnt offerings and sin offerings,
you neither desired nor delighted in.burnt offerings and sin offerings,you neither desired nor delighted in.These are offered according to the law.
Then he says, Behold, I come to do your will.He takes away the first to establish the second.
By this “will,” we have been consecrated
through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

I left that last long segment without interjection because St. Paul explained it himself.  I trust that my explanation is  consistent with his.

Responsorial Psalm
ps 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

Your justice I kept not hid within my heart;
your faithfulness and your salvation I have spoken of;
I have made no secret of your kindness and your truth
in the vast assembly.

R. Here am I Lord; I come to do your will.

God's Holy One will not see corruption.  It is amazing how almost every single verse which applies to the Messiah, also applies to us.  That Psalm is about the Messiah.  But in a veiled manner it is about all of us.  We are supposed to do what Jesus does.  We are supposed to pick up our Cross and follow Him.  He came and died for our sins, leaving us an example to follow in His steps.  Those of us who keep the Commandments and the Gospel of our Lord, are sons of God and sons of Mary.  

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 3:31-35

The mother of Jesus

A reference to Mary.

and his brothers

A reference to the Apostles.  Why do I say that?  Protestants frequently try to go through Scripture pointing out that many people are called "brothers" of Christ.  This, they claim, proves that Mary had more children.  Never mind that these purported "brothers" of Christ can be traced to another mothers and father.

Let me show you:
Matthew 13:55-56
King James Version (KJV)
55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

James, Joses, Simon and Judas, they claim, are the other children of the Virgin Mary and therefore brothers of Christ.  

They neglect the following verses:

Matthew 27:56

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, ....

We know this is not the Virgin Mary because there is another Mary who is kin to the Virgin Mary AND is frequently in the company of Mary Magdalene:

John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

So, who are James and Joses and Simon and Judas?

Joses is the only one whose identity is not known other than that he is the son of the other Mary.  The other three, James, Simon and Judas are Apostles of Christ.

Here are the lists, I'll skip over the other Apostles and focus on these three:
Matthew 10:1-4
King James Version (KJV)
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, ... The first, Simon, who is called Peter,...James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Mark 3:
16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;...and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, 19 And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

Luke 6:13-16
King James Version (KJV)
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) ... James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

What about Joses?  It is possible that Matthew is Joses.  Most Bible Scholars agree that the Apostle sometimes referred to as Levi, is Matthew.  Note that Levi is also a son of Alphaeus:


Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.



Mark 2:14
And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

One thing this tells us is that Jesus' family was complicated.  Jesus is a son of David.  Yet, one of His cousins is St. John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah, a Levite.  Whether St. Elizabeth is of the line of Levi is not mentioned.  But it is doubtful since she is Mary's cousin.  It is possible that Levi/Matthew somehow is related to Jesus through this connection.

The other thing this tells us is that the foundation of the Catholic Church was very much a family affair.  More about that in a minute.

arrived at the house.

Anyway, these are the brethren of Jesus who arrived at the house.  It is natural that they would frequently keep company with the Virgin Mary, their aunt.

Standing outside, they sent word to Jesus and called him.

It was too crowded for them to come in so they called to the Lord from outside.

A crowd seated around him told him,
“Your mother and your brothers and your sisters
are outside asking for you.”

This point is frequently missed by those who claim that Jesus had brothers.  The verse mentions "sisters".  There are two women who are "kin" to Jesus and Mary.  They are the other Mary, who is called His mother's "sister" in Scripture.  And her daughter.

The other Mary is the mother of James, Joses, Simon, Judas and Salome.  Therefore, Salome is also Jesus' cousin several times removed.


Mark 15:40
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

So far, we've identified the Apostles James the son of Alphaeus, Judas his brother, and Simon also James' brother as kin to Jesus.  And possibly, Levi the son of Alphaeus also known as Matthew.  That makes four Apostles kin to Jesus.

Salome, we identify as the sister of James, Judas, Simon and possibly Levi because they have the same mother and the same father.  But Salome is also the mother of Zebedee's children.  James and John.


Matthew 27:56
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedees children.


Mark 15:40
There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene,

and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses,

 and Salome;

These are the same three women looking upon Jesus from afar during the Crucifixion.  Salome then is the mother of Zebedee's children which just happen to be the Boarnges, the Sons of Thunder, Sts. James the greater and John the beloved of Jesus.  All of which are related to Jesus by virtue of being kin to His mother.




Anyway....

But he said to them in reply,
“Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking around at those seated in the circle he said,
“Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of God
is my brother and sister and mother.”

Now, many people claim that in so saying, Jesus denied that Mary was His mother.  Or that He somehow rejected her.  But in this verse, He actually affirms her fidelity and love.  Scripture does not contradict itself folks.  In Luke 1:28, God calls Mary the kecharitomene, she who is always full of grace.

Why?  Because she always does His will.  And here, Jesus says that those who are related to Him are they who do the will of His Father.  Therefore, Jesus here affirms the motherhood of Mary.  Because she is the most faithful woman that ever lived. 

The Woman of Revelation 12

Lutero said: 

2 Roman Catholic scholars comment on Revelation 12 as being about Mary. As you will see the facts of Scriptures don't fit for it being about Mary.Raymond Brown and J.A. Fitzmyer, editors of the Jerome Biblical Commentary (2:482):“a woman: Most of the ancient commentators identified her with the Church; in the Middle Ages it was widely held that she represented Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Modern exegetes have generally adopted the older interpretation, with certain modifications.In recent years several Catholics have championed the Marian interpretation. Numerous contextual details, however, are ill-suited to such an explanation. For example, we are scarcely to think that Mary endured the worst of the pains of childbirth (v. 2), that she was pursued into the desert after the birth of her child (6, 13ff.), or, finally, that she was persecuted through her other children (v. 17). The emphasis on the persecution of the woman is really appropriate only if she represents the Church, which is presented throughout the book as oppressed by the forces of evil, yet protected by God. Furthermore, the image of a woman is common in ancient Oriental secular literature as well as in the Bible (e.g., Is 50:1; Jer 50:12) as a symbol for a people, a nation, or a city. It is fitting, then, to see in this woman the People of God, the true Israel of the OT and NT.”
One of the problems you have with your analysis is that none of the apostles teach what you claim. No apostle claims that Mary had a crown of 12 stars. The other problem is the to have pain in childbirth was part of the curse that God gave because of sin. Now if Mary was sinless then she would not have felt the pain of childbirth as verse 2 says.

 My Response:

Lutero: 

2 Roman Catholic scholars comment on Revelation 12 as being about Mary. As you will see the facts of Scriptures don't fit for it being about Mary.Raymond Brown and J.A. Fitzmyer, editors of the Jerome Biblical Commentary (2:482):“a woman: Most of the ancient commentators identified her with the Church;

Lutero, the key word here is "most". Most does not mean "all".

in the Middle Ages it was widely held that she represented Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

This statement is representative of the Protestant mindset of "either/or". The Catholic Church has never maintained that this is about either the Church or Mary. The Catholic Church has always known it is about Mary and about the Church and about Israel.

But the person whom it fits more closely and perfectly is Mary. Because Mary is a Woman and Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ. And the Woman of Rev 12 fits that description perfectly.

Modern exegetes have generally adopted the older interpretation, with certain modifications.
In recent years several Catholics have championed the Marian interpretation. Numerous contextual details, however, are ill-suited to such an explanation. For example, we are scarcely to think that Mary endured the worst of the pains of childbirth (v. 2),

Anyone reading Rev 12 can see that the ideas represented there are symbolic. To what do the symbols of birth pains refer in the context of Mary? To the prophecy of Simeon:

Luke 2:35

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

to the fact that she would have to suffer the flight to Egypt to save her Son.

to the fact that she would have to suffer the sight of her Son being persecuted and killed by the Jews.

that she was pursued into the desert after the birth of her child (6, 13ff.), 

She was. She had to flee to Egypt, Egypt is in a desert.

or, finally, that she was persecuted through her other children (v. 17). 

Through her other Spiritual Children who would be martyred for the name of Christ:

Revelation 12:17

King James Version (KJV)

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

The emphasis on the persecution of the woman is really appropriate only if she represents the Church, which is presented throughout the book as oppressed by the forces of evil, yet protected by God. 

Except for one thing. The Church did not give birth to Christ. The Church is the mother of Christians. But not of Christ. The most direct correlation to that aspect of the prophecy remains MARY OF NAZARETH, the Mother of God.

Furthermore, the image of a woman is common in ancient Oriental secular literature as well as in the Bible (e.g., Is 50:1; Jer 50:12) as a symbol for a people, a nation, or a city. It is fitting, then, to see in this woman the People of God, the true Israel of the OT and NT.”

And that is part of the interpretation of the Catholic Church. But the most explicit interpretation is that the Woman is Mary.

One of the problems you have with your analysis is that none of the apostles teach what you claim. No apostle claims that Mary had a crown of 12 stars.

St. John did. Rev 12:1

The other problem is the to have pain in childbirth was part of the curse that God gave because of sin.

That is not our problem but yours. Look at Rev 12. Look at the birth of the Child. Is that Child, Jesus Christ? Did Jesus Christ ascend as an infant or after the Resurrection? Did Jesus Christ ascend to His Throne when He was not even a minute old or when He was thirty three years old?

Why, if 99% of the writing in that chapter is symbolic, do you expect the verses concerning Mary to be absolutely literal? The answer is simple. Because you don't want to know the truth.

But you are only deceiving yourself.

Now if Mary was sinless then she would not have felt the pain of childbirth as verse 2 says.

Mary was sinless and the pains of childbirth depicted in Rev 12 are symbolic references to the emotional suffering which Mary had to undergo as a result of her vocation as the Mother of our Lord.

Sincerely,

De Maria

January 28, 2013

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Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church 

Challenge yourself today.  Read one Question of the Summa Theologica.

St. Thomas Aquinas is a giant figure in the Catholic Church, we should all learn more about him.  Here are two little trivia factoids you might want to google.  The Dumb Ox and the Angelic Doctor.

Lectionary: 317

Reading 1
Heb 9:15, 24-28

Christ is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

This is a very interesting statement.  Much of which is explained in these which were skipped:

Hebrews 9:16-17
King James Version (KJV)
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

In other words, as I understand it, God is the Testator.  The One who wrote His LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT.  In order for those things promised in His Testament to be of force.  GOD HAD TO DIE.

Isn't that awesome!?  God literally died on the Cross.  I know, I know.  God can't die.  But have you not read in Scripture that everything is possible with God?  God took human form in order that He could die in the form of a man.  In so doing, the Old Testament was fulfilled and the promises activated.

For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.

The point that St. Paul is making is that God is not offering Himself to the Father from an earthly temple.  He is standing in the Heavenly Temple before the Throne of God:

Revelation 5:6
And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is ONCE.  We consummate or consume the Sacrifice when we participate in the Eucharist.  We bring it to completion.

The Eucharisitic Sacrifice is our Passover.  In the Old Testament, the original Passover was celebrated by slaughtering the lamb, then offering it to God.  Then the people were supposed to put blood on their doors and eat the flesh.

In the Eucharistic Sacrifice, Christ was sacrificed on the Cross, this is equivalent to the slaughter of the Lamb of God.  Then He ascended to the Father to offer His Sacrifice.  Now its our turn to consume the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.

Do you see?

But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.

What St. Paul is speaking of here is the Sanctifying grace which Jesus Christ poured out upon the earth in His death on the Cross.  This Sanctifying grace is applied to us in the Sacraments wherein our sins are forgiven, washed away by the Holy Spirit when He applies the Sanctifying grace to our souls..

Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.

I think there are a mix of ideas presented here.
1.  Jesus died once just as we all do.
2.  But his death took away the sins of those who believe in Him.
3.  He will appear again, not to die again, nor to take sin away again, but to award the faithful with eternal life:

Revelation 22:12-15
King James Version (KJV)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

So, keep the Commandments.

Responsorial Psalm
PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

R. (1a) Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.

The deed which is most being celebrated in these readings, is the fact that God took flesh in order to die for our sins and our salvation.  That is truly something to be celebrated!  God died that we might live!

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mk 3:22-30

The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said of Jesus,
“He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and
“By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables,

Certain people had come from the Jews to accuse Jesus of being a servant of the Evil One and eliminating evil by the power of the Evil One.  But Jesus calmly responded to them.

“How can Satan drive out Satan?
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
And if a house is divided against itself,
that house will not be able to stand.
And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided,
he cannot stand;
that is the end of him.

In today's jargon, Jesus replied, "Really?  You are saying that Satan is attacking himself?"

Then He describes the false logic of the situation.  Any kingdom which attacks itself will fall.  How many civil wars has this world not experienced.

But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.
Then he can plunder his house.

Now listen and pay close attention:

Revelation 20:1-3
King James Version (KJV)
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,  3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Jesus is now binding the Serpent.  He is now binding Satan.  Because WE are binding Satan, if we but keep the Commandments:

Revelation 12:17
King James Version (KJV)
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies
that people utter will be forgiven them.
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an everlasting sin.”
For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Jesus is not strictly speaking of utterances here.  Although the Jews had verbally insulted the Spirit of Our Lord, which is the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.  We can also insult that same Spirit by our actions and by our lack of action:

Heb 10:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.