Scripture with the Fathers

Jesus heals a Centurion's servant without touching the ill person, but simply by his word by the intercession of the servant's master. This master, a pagan Roman and a soldier, shows great faith, even more so than what Jesus finds among the sons of Israel. Jesus goes further that those other nations that were former enemies of Israel, the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Persians. This healing, Jesus' admonition to the Israelites/Judeans/Jews, and the promise to the Gentiles is foretold in Genesis.

From Moses to St. Paul to St. Cyril of Alexandria to the Second Vatican Council in the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium; a continuity exists as God designs His Church, beginning with the topology foreshadowed in Genesis 43. God's plan is eternal to gather all men into His everlasting covenant in the One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.

Jesus descends the mountain, and after having given the new Law of the Gospel, he begins performing miracles. The first miracle of the ten in Chapters 8 and 9, Matthew is recounting the ten plagues that God did in Egypt to curse the Egyptians. Now Jesus heals. We lookin depth the first miracle and how Jesus is fulfilling the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15-19. We also look at Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and 2Kings 5:1-14 as Jesus fulfills all of these aspects of the Old Testament. We here from St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome.

What is a prophet? Who were the prophets and what did they do and say? Who were the false prophets then, and who are the false prophets now? Are they in or outside the Church or both? How can we know who the wolves are when they appear in sheep's clothing? WE look to Augustine, Jerome, Gregory the Great and also, Dr. Hahn and Pope Benedict XVI to gain insight into how to discern the good from the evil, good fruit from poison and the shepherds from the wolves.

What does Jesus mean by not casting pearls before swine? How we should treat holy things? How can we know these things, but through asking, seeking and knocking through prayer. We hear from St. Augustine and Pseudo-Chrysostom and Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch's Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.

We review Chapter 43 and then consider the thoughts of St. John Chrysostom regarding the sons of Israel (Jacob) when, driven by famine to go to Egypt and meet Joseph. St. John describes how Joseph's brothers consciences, convict them when Joseph treats them roughly and accuses them as spies. They are convicted of their crime when they suffer distress at the hands of Joseph. Yet Joseph treats them with great kindness by supplying them with grain without cost. Yet demands to see his younger full brother, Benjamine.

Being treated as spies and roughly so, Joseph's brothers, who had attempted to kill him, but sold him into slavery and lied to their father, come to acknowledge their sin. Simeon, the oldest, whose job it was to protect Joseph, is held in prison as a hostage to test them. It is through this that they begin to come to repentance. Recognizing our sin, which sometimes comes only as through punishment, is the beginning of repentance.

What does it mean to not judge? How do we then know right from wrong? Should we not correct others who's behavior is not in keeping with the commands of the Gospel? How can we live according to the commands of Christ if we cannot judge our own behavior or those whom we love? We gain insight by looking to Ezekiel and St. Paul in Scripture. We look at commentaries from Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, St. Jerome, St. Chrysostom and end with St. Augustine.

When we see with the eye of the soul, we see the things of this world as things to be used to further the kingdom, to serve others and the Church. Jesus reiterates the Law of Moses in sharing what we have been given with those who are in need. If the eye of the soul is illuminated by God, we serve that which we see and to where our heart is turned. Anxiousness is rooted in not living in the now, but rather having concerns about the future, when God is a loving Father, Who only desires our well being, in this world and ultimately the next.

We discover the topology of Joseph as a Christ like figure in the Old Testament. We hear from St. John Chrysostom and look at Psalms, Daniel and Matthew. We can see in the life of Joseph a foreshadowing of the life of Christ.