Words Made Flesh: Literary Forms in Genesis

"Reflecting on today's first reading from Genesis (2:7-9; 3:1-7), we must take into consideration the literary and theological form of the first pages of the Bible. Like many stories in the first eleven chapters of Genesis, the Eden tale is an etiology -- a story that helps to explain important questions about the major realities of our life. Why is there pain in childbirth? Why is the ground hard to till? Why do snakes crawl upon the earth, etc?

"Genesis 2-3 suggests that knowledge, a necessity for human life, is something that is acquired painfully. Ignorance may be bliss, but it is certainly not the mark of adult maturity. When human beings finally understand what it means to be fully human, when they have complete knowledge, then the realities of life come into full relief in all of their complexity and difficulty. Knowledge is both enlightening and painful."

Reprinted from:
The Single-Heartedness, Faithfulness and Loyalty of God's Son
Biblical Reflection for 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A
By Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

To access all Fr. Rosica's reflections in Zenit on this past week's Sunday readings, click here.

CBS in the Hartford Courant

Our Celebration of Sacred Scripture is nearly upon us, and the Hartford Courant has picked up the story. Click here to see the article by Maria Zone, Director of the Archdiocesan Communications Office.

Job Opening for Book Lovers

The Catholic Book Store is looking to hire a part-time sales associate for its store at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Approximately 20 hrs per week, some Saturdays included. Prior retail experience preferred. Must be able to bend and lift heavy boxes.

Contact: Jan Lemoine, Catholic Book Store, 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, CT 06002, (860) 246-5628.

Words Made Flesh: Do Catholics Believe in "Justification by Faith"?

Yes, yes, yes! Even though Catholics are often not familiar with the term "justification by faith," we absolutely affirm this New Testament teaching from St. Paul. Here is an excerpt on this past Sunday's readings, taken from Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB's weekly scripture commentary in ZENIT: The World Seen from Rome.

"Justification by Faith

"The Catholic Church proclaims that, just as the Bible indicates, justification and redemption come through the grace given by God because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Human beings cannot earn redemption or salvation. Neither is it won through good works. Good works are done though God's grace in response to God's redemptive work in Christ. Accordingly, Christ is the unique mediator between God and human beings.

"[Sun]day's second reading from St. Paul's letter to the Romans (3:21-25, 28) provides a clear statement of Paul's 'gospel,' i.e., the principle of justification by faith in Christ. God has found a means of rescuing humanity from its desperate plight: Paul's general term for this divine initiative is the righteousness of God (Romans 3:21).

"Divine mercy declares the guilty innocent and makes them so. God does this not as a result of the law but apart from it, and not because of any merit in human beings but through forgiveness of their sins (3:24), in virtue of the redemption wrought in Christ Jesus for all who believe (3:22, 24-25). God has manifested his righteousness in the coming of Jesus Christ, whose saving activity inaugurates a new era in human history." (end quotation)

In other words, Christ's death and resurrection transforms the faithful as new creatures living in a new creation. True disciples of Christ live their lives rooted in Jesus, the Word of God incarnate.

This year, the archdiocesan Celebration of Sacred Scripture  explores this very theme: Living in the New Creation. All are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is required by March 25. Click here for details.

To access Fr. Rosica's reflections in Zenit on this past week's Sunday readings, click here.