Joy of the Gospel #4

THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

16. …Nor do I believe that the papal magisterium should be expected to offer a definitive or complete word on every question which affects the Church and the world. It is not advisable for the Pope to take the place of local Bishops in the discernment of every issue which arises in their territory. In this sense, I am conscious of the need to promote a sound “decentralization.”


"Those who are spiritual discern all things." 1 Corinthians 2:15, NRSV


Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

CBS Recommends—God With Us: An Advent Preparation with Dan Schutte

As Advent draws near, this evening of music and storytelling for all age groups will remind us of the true meaning of God's coming among us:

EVENT DETAILS: Sunday, November 16, 2014, 6:30 pm
St. Timothy Church
1116 North Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06117
 
SPONSORED BY: The Six Catholic Parishes of West Hartford

Dan Schutte has been composing music for worship for more than 30 years, including extensive collaboration with the St. Louis Jesuits. His more recent pieces exhibit an enduring ability to reach into people’s hearts and draw them into prayer. He is one of the best known, most prolific and influential composers of music for the liturgy today.

A free will donation will be collected at the end of the evening.
 
For more information:
Pat Piano
860-232-8594
Patriciaannpiano@comcast.net

This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School but could be an authorized make-up for certain requirements towards archdiocesan and seminary certificates in biblical studies. Only contact BJ about this program if you wish to request it as a make-up for your missed requirements.

Weekly Bible Study - Matthew 5:1-12

November 1 and 2, 2014

Solemnity of All Saints

Commemoration of All Souls

Today we hear a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that we refer to as the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are blessings, and they stand out dramatically at the beginning of the Sermon.

On this particular day the crowd gathers as Jesus goes up on a mountain to teach. Sure, Jesus needs to elevate himself to be seen and heard. But there is a more significant reason for his ascent: He is giving a new Torah, a new teaching, in much the same Moses gave God’s teaching from Mount Sinai of old. Jesus’ actions and sayings are intended, in the gospel of Matthew, as a completion of the teachings of Moses.

So, the “Thou shalt not” of the old covenant becomes, in Matthew's gospel, “Blessed are you.” Jesus’ message will be articulated in a way that emphasizes the relationships that have always given the biblical covenant its purpose: relationships between God and Israel, relationships among the people themselves, and relationships that characterize Israel in relationship to the world at large. Jesus speaks a language that makes accessible the life of God's covenant. It’s a language that promotes fuller life and greater hope, a language that emphasizes God’s covenant requirement of mercy and righteousness. Jesus is the one to do what was always required of God’s people: to lift up the downtrodden, give strength to the powerless, comfort the afflicted. These “Be-attitudes,” indeed the entire Sermon on the Mount, sets the stage for discipleship and service.

And that is what we celebrate this week: discipleship and service. All Saints Day is about remembering those who in their lives were faithful disciples and servants of God. We remember, too, our beloved who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, whom we believe (but cannot prove, by canonization) are with God in perfect harmony. We believe that all those who heard and lived the message of today’s Gospel have attained the crown of glory. All Souls Day asks that we pray particularly for those, departed in Christ, who may still be moving toward perfect discipleship and service. We pray that they will soon enjoy full communion with Christ and all the saints.

Praying for One Another

Pray for one another, that you may be healed.

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (James 5:16)

We in the Hartford Catholic Biblical School pray for one another every day. This week we ask prayers especially for two members of the CBS Class of 2015: Stephen and Linda Ward. Steve will be having heart valve surgery on Wednesday, November 5.

Pray also in thanksgiving for those--like our bishops, priests, and other church leaders--who sponsor or support our Biblical School! Without them, we would not have the means to bring so many adults into deep encounter with God's Word in Scripture.

And let us know your urgent needs so we may pray also for you and your loved ones.