HEART OF CATECHESIS PAUL COMPLETES HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH--THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST LESSON 12 AND BECAUSE HE PRACTICED THE SAME TRADE, STAYED WITH THEM AND WORKED, FOR THEY WERE TENTMAKERS BY TRADE. ACTS 18:3 Why would Paul choose to support himself and his mission by doing manual labor? Paul tells us in Sacred Scripture: He did not want to be a financial burden on the new church communities. (2 Thessalonians 3:8) To set an example for the new Christians that they would also need to continue to support themselves. (2 Thessalonians 3:9-10) By not accepting financial support from the Jewish Christians, he would win the trust of the Gentiles. (1 Corinthians 9:13-16) PARENTS & CATECHISTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Sacred Scripture Acts 18:1-22 John 8:2-11 Aquila and Priscilla with Paul in Corinth From Visual Bible Alive Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422, 1857-1859, 2331, 2380-2381
Page 2 PAUL COMPLETES HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY Sacred Scripture STUDENTS READING REFLECTION & PRAYER Grades K-1 The Illustrated Acts of the Apostles pp. 40-41 Grades 2-4 Bible for Young Catholics pp. 296, 270-271 Grades 5-12 Acts 18:1-22 John 8:2-11 Catechism Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism pp. 23-26, 40-46 Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 pp. 90-93, 139-143 Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #1422, 1857, 2331, 2380-2381 TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES THEME: PAUL COMPLETES HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY AND IS FACED WITH MANY TYPES OF PEOPLE AND CHALLENGES OF SIN FIRMLY EMBEDDED WITHIN THEIR SOCIETIES OBJECTIVES: Using the readings from Sacred Scripture: Discuss the many people Paul met and how he interacted with them to accomplish the mission Paul worked with the situation at hand and did not dismiss people, but used their situation as a teaching moment Discuss how Paul was following the example that Jesus gave in the story of The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:2-11) Weave into the lesson our Heart of Catechesis the terms Sixth Commandment, Mortal Sin, The Sacrament of Confession OPENING PRAYER ACT OF CONTRITION
Page 3 PAUL COMPLETES HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY REVIEW: SEE PAGE 7 READINGS FROM SACRED SCRIPTURE: SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY 50-52 AD ACTS 18: 1-22 Macedonia Map designed using Bible Mapper 4.3 Software SO WHERE IS PAUL NOW??? In Lesson #11 we followed Paul s travels during his Second Missionary Journey up to the dismal failure of the great speech Paul gave in Athens. Now we return our attention to Paul and the completion of his Second Missionary Journey, which lasted from 50 to 52 AD. After Paul s discouraging experience in Athens, he traveled to a nearby city in the Greek province of Achaia Corinth. WHAT KIND OF A CITY WAS CORINTH? Corinth was a wealthy and powerful city located on the isthmus [narrow land bridge] between the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. Because of its position it was a famous trade center with goods passing back and forth from Macedonia and Achaia and also trade goods passing between the seas on either side of the isthmus. Corinth was the capital city of the province of Achaia and was thought to be Sin-City by many people in the ancient world a lot like our modern day Las Vegas. WHO IS PAUL INVOLVING IN HIS MISSIONARY EFFORTS? Paul involves a number of people in his ministry. In Corinth he meets Priscilla [also called Prisca] and Aquila a married couple from Rome who were tentmakers like Paul. Silas [also called Silvanus] and Timothy also catch up with Paul in Corinth.
OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH--THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST Page 4 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW PAUL WORKED WITH OTHERS? As we have seen earlier, we must work together to build the Kingdom of Christ but we may not always be in agreement about how to go about Our Father s Business. Remember that at the beginning of the Second Missionary Journey Paul and Barnabas had a strong disagreement about whether or not to bring John Mark along with them, which resulted in Paul and Barnabas parting company. Working with others even in service to Our Lord...is not always easy. We know that the Apostles frequently argued among themselves even at the Last Supper. And it was at the Last Supper that Jesus made it clear how we needed to work well with each other I GIVE YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT; LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU THIS IS HOW ALL WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER [JN 13:34 35]. Like Jesus, Paul worked with many men [and women] as He traveled about. Paul at times could be stubborn and a bit of a firebrand, but he learned how to get along with others and to involve them in his work. The importance of collaboration like this reminds us of one of God s plans for the members of His Mystical Body INTERDEPENDENCE the idea that God endows different people with a variety of gifts so that we must rely on each other [and the Holy Spirit], working together to bring His Kingdom to perfection. We will look more closely at this idea when we read Paul s First Letter to the Corinthians. HOW DID PAUL KNOW THAT HE WAS FOLLOWING GOD S PLAN FOR HIM? While in Corinth Paul is granted a vision from the Lord Who affirms and encourages him one night in a vision, DO NOT BE AFRAID, BUT SPEAK AND DO NOT BE SILENT; FOR I AM WITH YOU, AND NO MAN SHALL ATTACK OR HARM YOU; FOR I HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY. [ACTS 18:10]. Saint Paul Preaching Mosaic from Altar of St Paul In Berea, Greece HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THE EPISODE OF PAUL S TRIAL BE- FORE GALLIO? There are similarities between what happened to Paul in Corinth and what happened to Jesus in Jerusalem. Both were seized unlawfully by local religious authorities and brought before a Roman official. Both Roman officials were disinterested in the religious implications of the accusations and wanted nothing to do with the matter. However, Pontius Pilate allowed the mob to get the upper hand with him, while Gallio firmly dismissed the matter immediately and definitively. WHAT DID PAUL ACCOMPLISH IN CORINTH, AND HOW LONG DID HE STAY THERE? Paul followed his usual pattern of going first to the synagogue to teach and preach. He won several converts there [including Crispus and Sosthenes who were synagogue leaders]. But eventually, as usual, opposition to Paul boiled over, and he was forced again to go to the Gentiles. Gallio is not impressed Paul Hardy Public Domain Clip art Paul stayed in Corinth a long time over a year and a half and it is likely that during this time Paul wrote his Letter to the Galatians before heading home to Antioch and Jerusalem.
OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH--THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST Page 5 DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME MOMENTS FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST JESUS FORGIVES THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY JOHN CHAPTER 8:2 11 CATECHISTS EARLIER IN THIS LESSON WE DISCUSSED THE PRESENCE OF PAUL IN CORINTH THE SIN CITY OF THE ANCIENT WORLD. PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN CORINTH WERE PARTICUARLY NOTED FOR BREAKING THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT. SEXUAL IMMORALITY AND PROMISCUITY WERE SO AS- SOCIATED WITH THE CITY THAT A PERSON WHO COMMITTED THESE TYPES OF SIN WERE SAID TO HAVE CORINTHIAN MORALS. IN OUR MOMENT FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS TODAY WE SHALL CONSIDER A WOMAN WHO SINNED IN THIS WAY THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY WHERE AND WHEN DOES THIS STORY TAKE PLACE? This story takes place during Jesus second period of ministry in Jerusalem in the Fall of the year 29 AD. Judging from its location in the Gospel of John, the story most likely took place during the Feast of Tabernacles in that same year. WHAT HAS THE WOMAN DONE? The woman has been caught in the act of committing adultery. The SIXTH COMMANDMENT is YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. CATECHISTS AS THIS IS ALWAYS A DELICATE TOPIC YOU LL NEED TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE SENSIBILITIES OF YOUR STUDENTS. SOME OF THE YOUNGER KIDS MAY WONDER JUST WHAT ADUL- TERY IS. IT IS THE DUTY OF THE PARENTS TO DEAL WITH THIS IN GREATER DETAIL IN THE TIME AND PLACE THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE. FOR OUR PURPOSES, WE MIGHT SUGGEST THAT ADULTERY IS WHEN PERSONS BREAK MARRIAGE VOWS AND GIVE THEMSELVES TO ANOTHER WHO IS NOT THEIR SPOUSE TO LIVE WITH A PERSON AS IF THEY WERE MARRIED, WHEN THEY ARE NOT. WITH THE OLDER STUDENTS, IT SHOULD BE POINTED OUT THAT ADULTERY AND RELATED SINS ARE A TYPE OF MORTAL SIN: SIN WHICH IS DEATH TO THE SOUL. IT INVOLVES: 1) SERIOUS MATTER; 2) FULLY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SIN IS SERIOUS, AND; 3) FREELY CHOOSING TO COMMIT THE SIN. Christ and the Woman taken in Adultery Nicolas Poussin, 1653 Louvre, Paris
OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH--THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST Page 6 HOW WERE THE PHARISEES TRYING TO TRAP JESUS? The Pharisees were experts in their knowledge of the 613 commandments of the Old Testament Law. Two places in the Old Testament [LEV 20:10 and DT 22:22] it says that if a man and woman are caught in adultery, they are to be put to death! [IT IS JUST SUCH COMMANDMENTS AS THESE IN THE OLD LAW THAT ARE ABROGATED AND ECLIPSED BY THE NEW LAW!] The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus by forcing Him to give an answer that would get Him into trouble. If Jesus said Obey the Law and kill her, they would have reported Jesus to the Romans who did not permit Jews to inflict the Death Penalty. If Jesus said, Let her go free, the Pharisees would have said, This man contradicts the Law of Moses! and the crowds would lose respect for Jesus. WHAT DOES JESUS FIRST DO WHEN THEY CONFRONT HIM WITH THE WOMAN? When first they ask the question, Jesus says nothing. He stoops down and writes with His finger in the ground. [This is, by the way, the only time we see Jesus writing in all the Gospels]. WHAT DO THE CROWDS DO NEXT, AND HOW DOES JESUS RESPOND? The mob persists in its questioning of Jesus. Jesus stands up and turns the question right back on the self-righteous mob LET HIM WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU BE THE FIRST TO CAST A STONE AT HER. The Old Law has served its purpose and God s relationship with the Human Race is changed forever with the coming of the Christ. Jesus is now able to bring Divine Mercy to us so instead of presiding over the punishment of those who have broken the Law, Jesus is able to win the hearts of sinners like the Samaritan Woman like St. Matthew [and Peter!] and Mary Magdalene and us! After addressing the mob, Jesus stoops down and begins to write in the dirt again WHAT DOES JESUS WRITING IN THE DIRT MEAN? Many people over the centuries have wondered about what Jesus writing in the dirt meant. St. Jerome thought that Jesus may have been writing on the ground the sins which each of the persons in the mob had committed. Perhaps as each person looked down, they saw their sins spelled out for all to see. This might explain why they began to leave beginning with the eldest, since the older men would naturally have had a longer period of time to commit more sins. HOW DOES THE STORY END AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT? The mob disperses and the woman is left alone with Jesus. Jesus asks her, WOMAN, WHERE ARE THEY? HAS NO ONE CONDEMNED YOU? She answers that they have not. Jesus says, NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU; GO AND DO NOT SIN AGAIN. Woman taken in Adultery Alexandra Bida, 1874 Christ in Art Jesus says and does nothing to deny the seriousness of the woman s sin but makes it clear that she is forgiven and in the future, should not commit this sin again. Mortal sin is its own death and punishment we do not need others to condemn us we condemn ourselves. But as long as we live there is Hope for Christ s Mercy is always ours for the asking and is readily available to us in the SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH JESUS FORGIVES THE SINS WE HAVE COMMITTED OURSELVES.
REVIEW:TERMS FROM LESSONS 8-11 RESURRECTION (Lesson 8 & 11) JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, HE SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY, HIS BODY AND SOUL UNITED FOREVER IN A GLORIFIED STATE CATHOLIC CHURCH ORIGINAL SIN (Lesson 9) CONCUPISCENCE (Lesson 9) FIRST COMMANDMENT (Lesson 9) FOURTH COMMANDMENT (Lesson 11) THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS (Lesson 8) BAPTIZED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS BELIEVE, WORSHIP, AND ARE SANCTIFIED IN HIS MYSTICAL BODY WHICH IS ONE, HOLY, UNIVERSAL AND APOSTOLIC. MAN DISOBEYED GOD IN THE BEGINNING AND BROUGHT SIN, SUFFERING, AND DEATH INTO THE WORLD A STRONG TENDENCY TOWARDS SIN AND EVIL WHICH RESULTS FROM ORIGINAL SIN YOU SHALL NOT HAVE FALSE GODS BEFORE ME. YOU SHALL HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER. YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND ALL YOUR SOUL AND ALL YOUR MIND AND ALL YOUR STRENGTH AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF BAPTISM (Lesson 11) THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH THE GUILT OF ORIGINAL SIN IS WASHED AWAY, WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, AND THE INDWELLING PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS BREATHED INTO OUR SOUL ANOINTING OF THE SICK (Lesson 11) FAITH (Lesson 9 & 10) THE SACRAMENT IN WHICH A PERSON WHO IS SERIOUSLY ILL IS BLESSED WITH HOLY OIL, WHICH HELPS TO STRENGTHEN AND HEAL THEM IN BODY AND SOUL THE ABILITY TO BELIEVE IN THE MYSTERIES WHICH GOD HAS REVEALED REVELATION SACRED TRADITION SACRED SCRIPTURE GOD COMMUNICATES HIS SAVING TRUTH TO MANKIND GOD S SAVING TRUTH REVEALED TO MANKIND AND HANDED DOWN BY WORD OR IN WRITING THE BIBLE...THE WORD OF GOD, INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WRITTEN BY MEN IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT MAGISTERIUM INFALLIBILITY THE TEACHING AUTHORITY OF THE SPIRIT-GUIDED CHURCH THROUGHOUT HISTORY THE POPE, GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, CANNOT MAKE A MISTAKE WHEN HE TEACHES ON MATTERS OF FAITH OR MORALITY