Category: Bible Study

“Tell the older men that they must be temperate, serious-minded, and self-controlled; likewise sound in the faith, loving, and steadfast.” –Titus 2:2 “Tell the young men to keep themselves completely under control.” –Titus 2:6 In the USA, we often expect our parishes and pastors to provide for the religious education of our children. We expect our pastors to provide the sacraments and to reach out especially to the elderly and the sick. These expectations are good, but they are different than the early Church’s expectations for ministry. St. Paul expected St. Titus, the pastor of the church of Crete, to...

“They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her want, all that she had to live on.” –Mark 12:44 God the Father loves us so much that He gave His Son to us (Jn 3:16). Jesus gave His life for us when He died on the cross. The Holy Spirit gives us charisms, gifts of the Spirit (see 1 Cor 12:4ff). Because God is the greatest Giver, He teaches us that it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Because God is the greatest Giver, Jesus, Who is God, sat down opposite the treasury and observed...

“You sent something for my needs, not once but twice.” –Philippians 4:16 St. Paul told the Philippians that receiving money from them gave him great joy, but not because he needed the money (Phil 4:10-11). Paul had learned to be self-sufficient, and cope with anything (Phil 4:11-12). Therefore, he was not in want and not eager for the Philippians’ monetary gifts, but he was concerned for them to balance their account and pay for the service He gave them (Phil 4:17). Paul gave the impression that the Church doesn’t need money, but people need to give money. The Church is...

“The temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.” –1 Corinthians 3:17 Today we celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, which is considered the mother church of Christianity. Today we remember that there is only one Church because “there is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope given all of you by your call. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Eph 4:4-6). Jesus prayed “that all may be one as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; I...