ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH ✥ JESUS OF NAZARETH
SEPTEMBER 2008
Jesus of Nazareth Pope Benedict XVI Coat of Arms of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI T h e s h i e l d c h o s e n b y Po p e Benedict XVI is in the shape of a chalice. The upper corners are “c h a p e s ” i n g o l d r e p r e s e n t i n g a religious idealism, specifically of a Benedictine spirituality.
The Sermon on the Mount In the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' sayings, epitomizing his moral teaching. According to chapters 5-7, Jesus of Nazareth gave this sermon (estimated around AD 30) on a mountainside to his disciples and a large crowd. Matthew groups Jesus' teachings into five discourses, of which the Sermon on the Mount is the first. The others concern instructions for the disciples, parables of the Kingdom, instructions for the Church, and a harsh denunciation of scribes and pharisees. The best-known written portions of the open-air sermon comprise the Beatitudes, found at the beginning of the section. The Sermon also contains the Lord's Prayer and the injunctions to "resist not evil" and "turn the other cheek", as well as Jesus' version of the Golden Rule. Other lines often quoted are the references to "salt of the Earth," "light of the world," and "judge not, lest ye be judged." Many Christians believe that the Sermon on the Mount is a form of commentary on the Ten Commandments. It portrays Christ as the true interpreter of the Mosaic Law. To many, the Sermon on the Mount contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship, and is considered as such by many religious and moral thinkers, such as Tolstoy, Gandhi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Martin Luther King, Jr.. "om http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon_on_the_Mount
The scallop shell calls to mind a legend attributed to St. Augustine. Augustine met a child on the beach who was trying to scoop up the sea into a hole in the sand. The child e x p l a i n e d h i s v a i n a t te m p t a n d Augustine took it to refer to his own futile endeavor to encompass the infinity of God within the confines of the limited human mind. Secondly, it is also a traditional symbol for pilgrims. Thirdly, the scallop is an emblem of the ancient Monastery of Schotten near Regensburg, Bavaria. The Moor’s head is not uncommon in European heraldry. This German depiction is in natural color (brown) with a crown. The brown bear with saddle brings to mind the ancient tradition of the bishop of Freising, St. Corbinian (7th cent.). Setting out for Rome on horseback, he was attacked by a bear. Corbinian not only managed to tame the animal but also to make it carry his baggage to Rome. Symbolizing the burden of his episcopate. The papal crossed keys, one gold and the other silver, in the form of a St Andrew's cross have been variously interpreted as symbols of spiritual and temporal power. The Holy Father Benedict XVI replaced the tiara with a simple mitre. He added a pallium, a liturgical symbol, for his task as shepherd.
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ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH ✥ JESUS OF NAZARETH FIND YOUR SPIRITUALITY TYPE By Roger O’Brien found in http://www.vocation-network.org/articles/show/134 independent
compassionate
spontaneous
factual
logical
creative
adventurous
thorough
straightforward
empathetic
adaptable
systematic
visionary
idealistic
self-determined
dependable
demanding
committed
observant
organized
speculative
curious
enthusiastic
realistic
original
expressive
playful
loyal
challenging
perceptive
vivacious
responsible
clever
friendly
excited
traditional
questioning
imaginative
tolerant
detailed
decisive
personable
fun-loving
devoted
tough
verbal
pragmatic
conscientious
strategic
concerned
risk taker
reliable
change agent
supportive
troubleshooter
consistent
PATH OF INTELLECT (Thomistic) Main emphasis is on the orderly progression of thought from cause to effect. Prefer a neat, orderly form of spiritual life. Centered on the pursuit of transcendental values: truth, goodness, beauty, oneness, love. Willing to exert effort to achieve their goal. Because of their disdain for second best, they seek total truth and authenticity. PATH OF DEVOTION (Augustinian) Use of creative imagination to transpose. They read between the lines and catch what is inexpressible and spiritual. They understand the use of symbols in the liturgy. Path concentrates on meditations that loosen the feelings and expand the ability to relate to and love others. PATH OF SERVICE (Franciscan) Free, unconfined, and able to follow their inner spirit. Do not like rules. Spontaneous. Spirituality leads to acts of loving service as prayer. Use of the five senses in flexible prayer. Meditation in creation.
SEPTEMBER 2008
The Gospel of Matthew The author of Matthew was probably a Christian convert from Judaism in a community of Jewish Christians. This community was feeling the sting of being rejected by other Jews. In defense of the community’s belief in Jesus, the Gospel links Jesus to important Jewish traditions and gives them new meanings. It makes frequent references to OT laws, prophecies, and events that Jesus fulfills or completes. The author of Matthew also wanted to show how Jesus broke with certain Jewish practices, in part to sympathize with those Jews that were rejected. So in the Sermon on the Mount the Gospel has Jesus giving new interpretation to Jewish laws. Certain incidents probably reflect the experience of the author’s community with Jewish leaders as much as Jesus’ own conflicts. Gradually, the Gospel of Matthew paints a picture of Jesus as the promised son of David who would reign as king forever. He is the Messiah, the fulfillment of all that the Jewish people have been waiting for, the one who will bring their liberation and salvation. This good news should be proclaimed to Jews and non-Jews alike. And so the Gospel ends with the risen Jesus telling his disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (28:19). Fr. James Valenzuela Parochial Vicar St. Ann Catholic Church Our Lady of the Assumption Mission
PATH OF ASCETICISM (Ignatian) Prayer that involves imagining oneself as part of a scene in order to draw practical fruit. Immersing in an event in a symbolic way. Preoccupation with order. Willing to endure discipline that leads to unforgettable spiritual experiences.
P.O. Box 1057 Gulf Breeze, FL 32562 frjames@stanngulfbreeze.org
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