Session 5 was held on Tuesday, July 29 from 7:15 to 9:00 pm. Msgr. Loughnane presided. There was a good turnout; 16 round tables with 4-6 people per table. Many people may have stayed home due to the earthquake.
Msgr. provided several handouts;
o His notes for session 5 (copies of his overhead projector slides)
o “Food for the Journey” This Month’s Scriptures: Paul the Letter-Writer
o Poster advertising a one man show on Sept. 22 at 7pm presenting “Saint Paul—In His Own Words”
o Editorial by Peter John Cameron, O.P., “Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul: The Life of Saint Paul” (part 1 and part 2)
Msgr. covered 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:13 and Galatians 1-6:11-18
2 Corinthians—Last 4 Chapters
Paul stayed in Corinth several times; one time for 18 months when he founded the Church there.
Paul was accused of being “not a great speaker (humble), better as a writer (bold)”.
To counter this, Paul threatens to be bold in person.
Paul provide much sarcasm and scolding in these chapters (10:15-17).
Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh” so that he would not be proud. This was a weakness that leads one to evil—it is not clear what it was for Paul. The Lord’s glory shines through Paul’s weakness; we should do the task and allow the Lord to work through us.
Paul will return to Corinth but he is afraid of what he will find especially those who sin and do not repent.
Letter to the Galatians:
Msgr. has a DVD n the life of Paul which shows some of the punishments the Apostles suffered at the hands of the Romans, especially “40 lashes minus one”.
Note that these sessions are taught in the same sequence recommended by the Ligourian article that was provided at the first session.
Galatians is an authentic Paul letter written about 54-55 ce.
Galatia is now Central Turkey. The letter was written to the gentile converts to address other missionaries who were teaching Mosaic Law including circumcision and the following of the Torah. They questioned Paul as one NOT taught by Jesus and not of the chosen 12. This is similar to how the Pharisees challenged Jesus for not following the law.
Paul proclaimed the basic Christian truth that our relationship with God is not restored by legal observances, but through accepting God’s call to follow Jesus.
Paul also maintained that he was personally called by Jesus himself (on the road to Damascus).
There are about 180 references in the Old Testament to the coming of the Messiah; most in Isaiah, most appear in our liturgy around Christmas.
The new life in Jesus Christ is central to Paul’s thoughts.
The account of Paul’s conversion and his meetings with Peter and James (the brother of the Lord) at about 3 years and 14 years after Paul’s conversion is of historical importance. Paul is a witness to what was happening with the Church of Peter and James in Jerusalem.
Description of the World Youth Week in Australia:
Msgr. provided a few comments about the trip.
16% of the people in Australia are Catholic, 21% are atheist, and 23% are agnostic.
The “kids” were well behaved and there were no real problems with the police.
On Friday 13 stations of the cross were celebrated across the city of Sydney with each station in a different venue and much walking in between. It took about three hours.
It is winter there and the sun goes down about 4:30 pm. It was cold for the kids sleeping in the fields. Angie said she slept with her shoes on!
On Sunday, Pope Benedict confirmed 24 young people, 12 of them were from Australia.
Overall a wonderful experience; #5 for Msgr. and #3 for Angie.
Benedict was the “sheriff” before, but now he is the “mayor”. It is good to have a Pope who can walk briskly.
Msgr. was very impressed with the Prime Minister there who expressed his appreciation for all the missionaries that had come to Australia. On the last day he appointed an ambassador to the Vatican.
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