It's Monday, and I have nothing to blog about. Well, actually, I have TONS to blog about, but I don't have time to write those posts this morning! (Including the Food Stamp Challenge!)

So I thought I'd leave you with some thoughts on the reading from yesterday's Mass. (1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22:23)

Brothers and sisters:
If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge
so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

I've touched on that before - Catholics believe we have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved.

Contrary to popular belief, Catholics don't believe that we can earn our salvation. There is no board of Labor Appeals on the other side, where we can bring proof that we worked xxx hours; we can't sue God for "back pay".

We are not hirelings, but heirs.

In the same chapter, St. Paul tells the Corinthians (and us): (1 Cor. 9:25-27)

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Neither is salvation offered at a single moment in time. We can't go to an altar call, and tell God, "That sounds like a good deal. I'll take it. See ya when I die!"

No one would deny St. Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus was authentic, sincere, and life changing. Yet, St. Paul tells us that it is not enough. He hopes for a share in the Gospel promise,

We must actively cooperate with God, throughout our life. We must have a good relationship with Him. It is only by taking up our cross and walking with Christ that we will share everlasting life with Him.

See:

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:34-35

The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:25-26

And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

As always, I'm just a silly housewife, not a theologian. Also I'm typing this post while passing out peanuts and wiping up oatmeal. Please forgive any mistakes. Catholic belief, and the reasons for them, are laid out in the easily searchable Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Labels: Bible Study, Catholic

Just a quick link today.

Read the Bible and Catechism (together) in 365 days. Put out by the Coming Home Network.

I totally messed up the day. X's speech lady is coming today. I was sure it was a 10 am so I let the older boys put on a movie and planned to do school when the appointment was over. But they are actually coming at 3 pm. So now I'm late on school and won't have time to do it between 3-4 pm.

But I let them finish the movie anyway.

H/T to Soul Pockets.

Labels: Bible Study, Catholic, education

This is good advice: Dos and Don'ts by AggieCatholic.

Selected quote:

Do: Stop reading when you are struck by a word or phrase.
Don’t: Chug right through until you reach the end.
–The first to reach the end of the next chapter doesn’t get a gold medal. If something affects you when reading Scripture, then stop and reflect on why it moved you.

I have also found it's nice to have a notebook to write in. Often I'll jot down something I want to look up later, so I don't end up down a rabbit trail.

For more Works for Me Wednesday, check out Rocks In My Dryer!

Labels: Bible Study

Recently, some e-friends and I heard a sermon by an Independent Fundamental Baptist on You Tube. He asserted that 1.) Real men pee standing up (with Bible and verse to support it, and that was the topic of his sermon, I kid you not!) and 2) the number 5 signifies death in the Bible.

Now, I am familiar with the way several numbers are used in Scripture. (6 is the number of creation, and the number of man; 7 is the number of completion; 9 is the number of angels; 40 is the number of repentance; 3 is the number of the Trinity.)

I have never heard that 5 is the number of death. And because I'm a nerd with nothing better to do on Saturday morning, I thought I'd look into it.

Most online sources I looked at say that 5 is the number of Grace. Nowhere could I find 5 is the number of death. (It seems just the opposite). Jesus multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fishes; David killed Goliath with 5 stones, the parable of the talents, the wisest servant was given 5 talents.

I don't know how this squares with Catholic teaching, as there isn't much numerology in the Catholic Encyclopedia. Catholics do have a devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, however, and altars are consecrated in 5 places in remembrance of them.

The preacher cited three reasons 5 is associated with death in the Bible:

• People killed under the 5th rib
• Genesis 5:5
• Acts 5:5

So, let's take a look. Scriptures quoted are from the NIV, copy and pasted from BibleGateway.

First, I must add, that the numbering of the Bible is not inspired. The chapter and verse system was introduced hundreds of years (in the 13th century) after the Canon was codified, in order to aid study and exegesis. There really would be no reason to see significance in a verse 5:5, or a verse 6:66 for that matter.

Several people are killed by being stabbed under the fifth rib in the KJV, in 2 Samuel. The NIV translates it simply as "stomach", and the Douay-Rheims calls it a "groin".

Genesis 5:5

Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

Genesis is full of geneologies noting how old people were when they died. The number 5 doesn't have much to do with it. Other places in Genesis recording people's deaths: 5:8, 5:11, 5:14, 5:17, 5:20... I could go on, but I can't even type all of the non-5 references.

Other verses recording important men's deaths:
Noah - Genesis 9:50
Abraham -Genesis 25:8
Joseph and his brothers (the twelve tribes of Israel) - Exodus 1:6

Acts 5:5

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

Other deaths in Acts occur at chapter/verse: 5:10, 7:60, 12:23,
Hmm... the numerology doesn't work so well for those.

Some other "5:5" verses in the New Testament -
And Matthew 5:5 is this:

5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Mark 5:5

Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

John 5:5

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years

Revelations 5:5

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.

Nothing to do with death, there, either.

Well, how about the fifth book of the Bible? Deuteronomy 5:5

(At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

Yeah. Not seeing the connection.

Mama Says:
One doesn't have to add superstition to the Bible in order to make it more meaningful.

Labels: apologetics, Bible Study, Rants and Raves

Crystal and I have decided to open a Yahoo! group for discussion of Courageous Virtue. It's a little difficult sometimes to cram everything into a comment or even a blog post!

We'll still be posting the questions and reminders on the blog, but discussion will happen in the group.

Go here to join!

It seems everyone is a little behind this week, so we'll continue week 2 and give everyone a chance to join the group and get into the discussion.

If you missed it, here are the study questions for Wisdom.

Week 3 will commence next Monday, over at Crystal's.

Labels: Bible Study

Mama Says is hosting week two of the Catholic Women's Bible Study. We're going through Stacy Mitch's Courageous Virtue. For week one, head over to Crystal's.

Here are the questions, please leave your answer in the comments or link to your blog post!



Note: I have excerpted the study questions, but not the commentary or other quotes. The book is copyrighted!

"The simple believes everything, but the prudent looks where he is going" Proverbs 14:15

Questions:
1. Have you ever thought about your freedom to choose your destiny and its importance?


2. Wisdom is a virtue that helps us choose the ways and means of achieving our good. According to the following verses, what is our end? How do the verses shed light on the need for wisdom?

• Matthew 16:24-27
• Matthew 25:31-46
• Romans 14:10-12
• 2 Corinthians 5:10

3. According to the world, how should we make decisions, and what should be our goals in life?

• How does this reflect the world's view of reality and of what is really important?
• Read the second chapter of the OT Book of Wisdom. How does this chapter shed light on your previous answers?
• Explain why Wisdom 2 proves the old adage, "the more things change the more they stay the same".

4. According to the following passages, what are the characteristics of one who is wise? Evaluate yourself according to the standards set in these verses.

• Proverbs 14:8, 14-18
• Proverbs 27:12

5. The virtue of wisdom is the cornerstone of the other virtues and helps lead us to heaven. According to the following verses, how is wisdom to be gained?

• James 1:5
• Proverbs 1:7
• Proverbs 2:3-5
• Sirach 1:10

6. According to the Scripture texts, Who is the source of wisdom?

• Proverbs 2:6
• Sirach 1:1, 9
• Wisdom 7:15

7. What do the following passages of Scripture tell us about the reality of this world and how we should live in it?

• Matthew 7:13-14
• Matthew 20:26-28
• Matthew 6:24-33

8. What makes reality difficult to see? How can we keep ourselves grounded in the truth about this world and God's Kingdom?


9. What do the following passages teach us about the importance of acting on what we know?

• Romans 2:13
• Galatians 6:7-10
• James 1:22-25

10. (Note: The entire question bears careful reading and reflection.) What can you do in the next week to try to order your life according to God's priority for your life: salvation?



Woman of Wisdom: Judith


1. Uzziah praises Judith's wisdom in Judith 8:28-29. How does he account for her great wisdom?

2. What is the first thing Judith does after she makes plans to infiltrate the enemy camp?

3. What does Judith do to bring deliverance to the Israelites?

4. How does Judith instruct the Israelites to conquer the opposing army?

5. How is Judith and example of one who has wisdom? How was it acquired? How does she use her wisdom? What lesson from her life can you apply to your own?

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Labels: Bible Study, Catholic

My internet connection is spotty right now, so I'll have my answers to the Women's Bible Study up later tonight, plus the assignment for next week.

Crystal hosted week 1, her answers here!

Labels: Bible Study

We are going through Courageous Virtue, by Stacy Mitch.

Head over to Crystal's for week 1, and leave your comments! Even if you do not have the book, fell free to comment or ask a question.

Next Monday we'll have a recap and new assignment over here at Mama Says.

Labels: Bible Study

I was tagged by Proverbs 31 to tell you 8 random things about my kitchen forever ago - I didn't forget!

My life is pretty random, and I don't know if it's interesting enough for a post - here goes. Try not to fall asleep.

1. I have some really big pots, and I know how to use them. I bought husband dear a 24" wok from a restaurant store last year for Christmas, and he knows how to use it!


2. This house has the biggest kitchen I've ever had, but I still needed more storage. I have a bookshelf that holds my potatoes, etc., cookbooks, mixing bowls, and dishtowels; a dresser holds my small appliances, tupperwares, misc. supplies, and a whole drawer taken up by tea.

3. A few years ago, I saw a flat topped stove in a store and decided that was the perfect solution to a messy kitchen. I always wanted one, and now I finally have one! And the are terrible. I hate it. If I spill anything while cooking, it instantly sears to cooktop. Heaven help me if I let the noodles boil over! There is nowhere for the water to go, so it covers the entire stovetop before dripping to the floor - boiling hot.

4. I have a naked woman on my counter. Okay, it's really a vintage tin from Godiva chocolates, and you can't really tell she's naked because of the hair and all. I keep Mr R's vitamins in it.

5. I do not own a food processor, an electric can opener, or a blender. My waffle maker gets lots of use, as does my coffee pot! The coffee pot is the only appliance that gets left out and plugged in all the time (since the demise of the crockpot, that is!) I'm intrinsically lazy, so I make waffles on the waffle maker and then make "waffle eggs" to go with it - it saves washing the scrambled egg pan.

6. The smallest "kitchen" I ever had was when we lived in a motel for two months. We plugged our microwave and crockpot in on top of the dresser, and paid $15 extra a week for a small fridge. Dishes had to be washed in the bathtub. The kids got used to powdered milk - I would mix up one quart in the morning, and it's all that would fit in the little fridge! You can cook anything in a crockpot.

7. Every year in September, husband dear likes to buy a couple of bushels of green chiles, roast them, and then freeze them. The smell of peppers cooking makes me sick - luckily, I was spared this year because no one sells green chiles on the side of the road in SC. I have been made sick by the smell of boiled peanuts and ONE WHOLE CAN of salt. Husband dear also makes other weird things that I won't touch (but that the kids love), including tripe menudo and tako. Tako is raw octopus steeped in soy sauce, kind of like ceviche. No thanks. Husband dear likes to cook, but we don't really cook together. My dishes might get cooties.

8. I cook by the seat of my pants. My recipes go something like this: Add about the same amount of rice and milk. Stir in some sugar (rice pudding) or pour milk over it like cereal (scalloped potatoes). I think this is an inherited trait, as I have a family recipe for oatmeal cookies that instructs "add milk until it [the dough] is juicy". The only thing I really use recipes for are baking. I also substitute A LOT. Maybe too much!

I tag my most faithful commenters who also have blogs: Daja, Birdie, Mom2Fur, Heather, and Barb SFO.

And any one else that wants to play! Leave a note in the comments if you do it and I'll take a peek.

Labels: Better Budget Challenge, Bible Study, cooking, Friday Fun, homemaking, Meme, V, X