St Paul Session #8

Session 8 was held on Tuesday, August 19th from 7:15 to 8:45 pm. Fr. Dennis presided. There was a good turnout; 16 round tables with 4-6 people per table.


Father noted that next week thee will be a POTLUCK dinner and we should all bring something to eat and arrive earlier; around 7pm.

Father remarked that Pop Benedict is writing a book about Paul and it should be coming out soon.

This jubilee year is a time of parish and personal renewal based on the letters of St. Paul.

The jubilee is celebrating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul (believed to be 8-10 AD).

Refer to Father’s notes on the letters covered in this session.

2 Thessalonians
The early church in Thessalonica was pre-occupied with the 2nd coming of Christ. A forged letter caused them to believe that the end times had already come (and this was believed to be why they were being persecuted so much).

The end times should be viewed as fullfillment and completeness rather than a time of destruction.

The end times will bring lawlessness and one who is called the Anti-Christ. He is not mentioned much in the Catholic Church, but he will be real.

This letter most likely was not written by Paul, but in his tradition near the end of the 1st century.

WOW = witness, observe, watcher—of our own personal intentions.

Colossians
Written 63-90 AD, not by Paul, but most likely by a disciple using Paul’s name and authority.

Letter is a response to the many false teachers of the time.

Key is that Christ is supreme.

We are challenged to spiritual, personal renewal. We must conquer person sins through love. As we relate to one another, we relate to Christ.

Love, obedience, service—are to be rendered in the Lord, and prayer is the key.

The key to happiness is to be grateful.

Forgiveness is presented as a special challenge to us.

Ephesians
The great letter about the worldwide Church; one, holy catholic, apostolic, cosmic, universal, worldwide community of faith.

Letter most likely not written by Paul around 80-100 AD. Written as if in prison; suffering and afflictions.

We are challenged to avoid vices (bad habits) and put on virtues (good habits).

We should use our words in a constructive way.

This letter includes the famous instructions to wives, husbands, and children.