Scripture with the Fathers

Jesus teaches us to fast. What is the teaching of the Church on fasting? We look to the Catechism and the Code of Canon Law to see what the official teaching is on these aspects of piety.

So How do we fast and what do I do with my treasure? What is my treasure? And where is my treasure? We look to Psalm 49, St. John Chrysostom and St. Jerome to see what this means.

Pharaoh has a dream that none can interpret. Not the priests of their religion, not his magicians, nor Pharaoh's "wise men" could interpret the dream. Joseph is remembered by the butler, the wine bearer and Joseph is brought before Pharaoh.

God, through Joseph, properly interprets Pharaoh's dream. Joseph is appointed to the office of Vizer of Pharaoh. We go through Haydock's Commentary to understand the literal meaning, and look to the foreshadowing in this as it relates to Christ.

The Fathers break down for us the Lord's prayer and what it means, what is it means. In order to understand this, we must go back to the original Greek text. What is this daily bread that we ask for? Does God lead us into temptation? How do we gain knowledge of ourself and any weakness that must be corrected to become fully refined in virtue.

Joseph interprets the dreams of the Baker and the Butler. Joseph doesn't rail against those that have done him great injustice and falsely accused him. Rather, he only states his innocence and asks the butler to remember him when he is restored to his position. We hear from St. John Chrysostom extolling the virtues of Joseph. We look at St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians and the Gospel According to St. Luke in the New Testament to bring out the typology noted in the text and according to St. John Chrysostom.

When we pray are we praying for the Glory of God or vain glory for myself? What about repetitive prayer like the heathens? Is the Rosary, the litany of the Saints, the Precious Blood or the litany of the Blessed Virgin a reconstitution of the prayers like the heathens? Aren't those prayers simple repetition? We look to the Fathers, principly Augustine and Chrysostom, but also we look into the Old Testament and see that litanies are part of our heritage as the people of God.

Joseph retains his virtue by escaping Potiphar's lustful wife. Potiphar has Joseph put into a dungeon. We see by reading the Hebrew text that Joseph would seem to be in the same position as when his brothers put him into a pit. Joseph remains trusting in divine providence and God deals favorable with Joseph as Joseph remains in his virtue, particularly his meekness and docility to the Lord's working in his life. We see how Potiphar's wife is a portrayal of wickedness in the face of virtue.

The three basics of Christian life Jesus affirms what every Jew would have known as basic piety. But Jesus tells us not to do this for others to see. Yet we engage in public prayer, particularly in the worship of God through the Sacrifice of the Mass. How do we square that circle? The Fathers give us the answer. We also look to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Joseph is a topological Christ and displays great virtue in the midst of many trials and in the face of great temptation. Joseph's is graced by God and prospers in everything he does, as do those to whom he is a servant. We hear from St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. John Chrysostom to gain insight into how the events of Joseph, son of Israel, are timeless and perhaps more so now in these our times.

Jesus teaches that the internal disposition of the person brings about transgressions of the law. Anger brings about murder, lust adultery which leads to divorce, swearing oaths leads to lies, retaliation leads to vengeance and injustice, love of enemies and not just those who can return that love.

The failures and sinfulness of man do not thwart God's purposes for the salvation of man realized in Jesus. In fact, it is precisely through man's failures and sin that God weaves His story and shows man's need for Him and how He shows man to himself. Even within this illicit union of Judah and Tamar, God brings forth the lineage of King David and the everlasting King, Jesus.