As we begin this Bible study, I think it would be great if all of us could say a prayer to the Holy Spirit to help us be able to interpret the Bible correctly and to let the words of the Bible touch our hearts in a special way.
Lately, as I have been starting to reread the gospels, I started to realize just how much of the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament. We listen to the Old Testament readings at church, but how important are they to Catholics? Jesus was very well versed in the Old Testament and used the words of the Old Testament to refute the Pharisees and other detractors. The Old Testament is truly the foundation for the New Testament and we really have a duty to understand more about it. The authors of Genesis to Jesus say, "Saint Augustine clarified that the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New." p 71. So true!
As we begin, I thought we could start by using the first couple of Reflection Questions on page 8. The authors ask us to read Psalm 1 and part of Psalm 19 concerning the laws of the Old Testament:
Psalm 1
BOOK I Psalms 1–41
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 19:7-10
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
1. Both the Old and the New Testament are full of laws concerning how we are to live our lives. What are some of the ways that you find helpful when meditating on these laws and on the scripture in general?
2. Scott Hahn says in A Father Who Keeps His Promises that, "God's laws and judgments are meant to be interpreted as signs of his fatherly love, wisdom and authority. This does not imply a lower or less strict standard of justice, however, since a good father requires more of his son than the judge expects from a defendnant, or the boss from his employee." Is your attitude towards God's laws similar to or different from the Psalmist? Why?
-- Edited by kristinannie on Monday 8th of August 2011 05:58:02 PM
I guess I will reply. Maybe people are just nervous to be the first one. I definitely do not rejoice in the laws of God. I had never really thought about that before! In fact, a lot of the laws of God seem so hard for me to follow, especially any rules regarding the mouth. I have a hard time with those! I tend to speak first and think later!!!!! As far as the 10 Commandments, I find some of them easy to follow (I have never been tempted to murder anyone). Others are a struggle for me (not coveting what others have and obeying my parents have been really hard for me). Through reading this book though, I have really started to understand WHY we should rejoice in these laws though. God made these laws to lead us to Heaven and to be with Him for eternity. It is like he made us a roadmap to Heaven. Maybe I should start rejoicing in his laws! :)
As far as meditating on the Scripture, I find that I can understand the Scripture best after I say a short prayer (or pray the Rosary depending on how much time I have), sit in a quiet area and really focus on it. I sometimes reread sections over and over until I really feel like I understand them.
