The Twelve: St. James (Jacob)

St. James

Meaning of the name: James is actually Jacob – don't ask me why the translators changed it. Jacob means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” At some sense he can be seen as such – when Jesus comes to Peter's home, it was Andrew who accompanied the Lord (together with James and John). Yet, later on, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John, forming the triumvirate of the leadership in the Church (we already talked about humility and absolute lack of vengeance on Andrew's side).

Also, he and his brother John (Johanan) had a nickname “sons of thunder” (see on St. John). It can be a sign of reverence toward God or a character feature (or a bug). Honestly, I don't think it should be an “either... or” choice. His passion can be a helpful tool for the advanced discipleship (see on the Letter of James) or an emotion that leads to destruction (see on Samaritan village).

Life story: He is born to the family of Zebedee and Salome. Turns out, Salome was Mary's sister, which makes James [and John] to be a cousin of Jesus. Since he is always mentioned first in a pair with his brother, it would be safe to assume that he was the oldest one.

1 Corinthians: Church's Unity

Word of the Cross is the basis for Church's Unity

Text: 1:10 – 4:21

Outline:

A. 1:10-11, Report by Chloe's family

  B. 1:12-17, Divisions by the ministers

    C. 1:18-25, we preach Christ crucified

      D. 1:26-31, Consider your calling

    C'. 2:1-16, Wisdom of Christ crucified

  B'. 3:1 – 4:7, Ministry of apostles

A'. 4:8-21, I fathered you – family relationship

Comments: St. Paul is approaching the theme of division from a variety of angles: family unity, togetherness of apostles and ministers, the wisdom of Christ, and comparison with the world.

The Twelve: St. John

St. John

Meaning of the name: St. John had a Hebrew name Johanan, meaning “YHWH is gracious.” The name often appears in the list of priest before and after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 12:21-22 [cp. 12:10-11]). The Jews had a custom to keep the names within the family (cp. Luke 1:57-64). The fact of his potential priestly lineage will be important later.

Also, he and his brother James (Jacob) had a “title” sons of thunder. It can mean of their temperaments or ambitions (see later). It also can refer to the power of the voice, or a reverence for the LORD – for Psalm 29:3 describes Thunder as the voice of the LORD over waters. See also Exodus 19:19, 1 Samuel 7:10, and Revelation 11:19 – all of these places talk about thunder as a sign of God's presence.

Life story: He is a part of every major story with Jesus which made him one of the three pillars of the Church. Similarly to our lesson about St. Peter, we will pick just a handful stories that might paint a picture with large brush strokes.

Gospel of Mark: Resurrection

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

txt: Mark 16

Outline:

A. 16:1-8, Women at the tomb

  B1. 16:9-11, Appearance to Mary Magdalene

  B2. 16:12-13, Appearance to two disciples

  B3. 16:14-18, Appearance to the 11

C. 16:19-20, Ascension

Comments: We are at the very end of our journey through the Gospel of Mark. There are textual questions [some of the scholars believe (!) verses 9-20 are NOT part of the original text, they are wrong] – we will deal with them as we go.

The most important aspect of the Resurrection story – personal encounter of Jesus. He rose or was raised from the dead – it is a historical fact. There are many books and other resources dedicated to the issue. Yet, at the same time, it was not an easy shift of paradigm for the disciples of Jesus [who spent with Him years of following] to accept the truth of the resurrection. Therefore, we should not be surprised, when we share the story of Jesus and they – regardless of our factually strong arguments – do not believe. Keep praying for them. May the Lord of life in His mercy grant them seeing the reality, beauty, and grace of risen Jesus.

Also, the Gospel of Mark is a shorter version of the Gospel of Matthew and, probably, the Gospel of John. That's why the story of Mary Magdalene is SO short. That's why the appearance to the 11 has no “office of the keys” (unlike in the Gospel of John 20:19-23). One should read it together with the other Gospels to get the complete story.

Newsletter: Travel to Eternity

Travel to Eternity

We just had a wonderful celebration of the Feast of Pentecost – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. It is a milestone in the history of the Church -when the Comforter came upon them. Once more there was proof that all of God's promises in Jesus are “yes and amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It is great to look back into the history of the community of the saints and be reminded of what God did for them: 6000 years ago, 4000 years ago, 2000 years ago, etc. How He always carried His Church though the stormy waves of worldly oppression.

The Twelve: St. Peter

St. Peter

Meaning of his name: At his birth he got the name Shimon, which literally means “the one who was heard.” To some extend it is a reflection on the suffering of matriarch Leah who said “[God has] heard...” when she conceived and bore the second boy (Genesis 29:33). The apostle was named after the forefather – one of the sons of Jacob (which begs a question, maybe Andrew was the first and Simon – the second).

There is a famous passage (Matthew 16:18) that people identify as a moment when the apostle was renamed. (Close but no cigar). Actually, he was called Simon Peter prior to his confession, and after. But Jesus changed Simon's name – when the LORD called him as a disciple (John 1:41-42). Peter is a Greek word for “Rock” or a “jewel.”

Life story: The New Testament has many stories about St. Peter. I am not going to talk about his denial of Jesus, or cutting of an ear of the High priest servant, or multiple times in the prison, or conflict with St. Paul. We will pick a few of the most known ones to paint a picture of the apostle.

Genesis: Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac

Text: Genesis 17 – 25

Outline:

A. 17-18, Announcement of his birth.

B. 20-21, Birth of Isaac and an immediate attack.

C. 22, Certainty of God's promise.

D. 23-24, Delegation Abraham sends to find a wife for Isaac.

E. 25, End of Abraham's life.

Comments: The story of Isaac begins even before his birth. The LORD comes twice to Abraham (Genesis 17 and 18), telling him that he will have the son of the covenant (Genesis 21:12). Note that news about birth of Isaac is given in the context of Abraham's circumcision. Circumcision for Abraham, as the sacrament of the Holy Baptism for us, marks a new beginning. In Abraham's new beginning there is a son (being fruitful), and building of covenant relationship with the neighbors (glorification, Genesis 21:22-33).