The Good Samaritan

BY JOHN MARTIGNONI


Q: I have always thought the Parable of the Good Samaritan was all about helping your neighbor, but someone told me you give a talk with a different take on it.  I would be interested in reading your take and in knowing where I can get a copy of your talk.

A: Well, it’s not really my “take” on the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) that I mention in my talk on that subject.  It’s the “take,” or interpretation, of the parable that was seen by St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and some other Church Fathers.  And their interpretation of the parable is not so much “different,” as it is deeper.  

It definitely is not in conflict with the standard interpretation that most folks see on the surface of the parable, which is to help those in need.  Rather, they took it to the next level.  The interpretation of the parable as seen by the aforementioned Church Fathers is that not only does Christ call us to offer physical aid to those in need, but He calls us to offer spiritual aid, as well.

The meaning that these Fathers saw in the Parable of the Good Samaritan was this: The man who was attacked, beaten, and stripped on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho represents Adam and all of Adam’s posterity - meaning all of us.  Jerusalem, whose root word - “salem” or “shalom” - means “peace” in Hebrew - represents the state of peace and innocence man was in at his creation, which the man leaves by going down to Jericho, which represents the state of sin.  The robbers represent Satan, who strips Adam and his posterity of their innocence and of their natural faculties and leaves us with a wounded nature.  The priest and the Levite who pass by and offer no assistance, represent the Old Covenant, which cannot save us, while the Good Samaritan represents Christ and the New Covenant, which can save us.  The donkey, or the beast as some translations say, represents Christ’s humanity on which He carries us.  The inn the wounded man is brought to represents the Church, and the innkeeper represents Peter and his successors.

God, knowing that fallen man - wounded man - needs His help, shows mercy on man by coming down to earth - by assuming man’s nature - to heal man’s wounds.  To make man’s wounds His own.  Jesus carries all of mankind on His back, so to speak.  He brings us to the Church, where we find aid and comfort and are able to heal our wounds by His grace, and where the innkeeper - St. Peter and all the popes, and the bishops and priests in union with them - continue to care for wounded man until Jesus’ return.

So, the spiritual meaning of the parable is that the Good Samaritan is not just some heroic figure from a story, but that it is Jesus Christ Himself.  And if Christ can stoop down to help us in our hour of need, then we are called by Him to do the same for others.  And we do this not by just providing for someone’s physical needs - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned (see Matthew 25) - but by providing for their spiritual needs as well.  And the best way to do that is by doing what Christ did, bring them to the Church.   

The talk I give which expounds on this is entitled, “Living the Word of God to Bring Justice and Peace,” and can be found on the “Free Tapes/CDs” page of the website: www.biblechristiansociety.com.  I hope to also have it available on the “Free Downloads” page of the website in a few weeks.  

About John Martignoni
John Martignoni is the Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama and also the President of the Bible Christian Society. John's column, Apologetics 101, appears regularly in the diocesan newspaper, the One Voice.  If you have a question about the Catholic Faith, please send an email to: jmartignoni@bhmdiocese.org.  And check out John's free audio and written apologetics materials at: www.biblechristiansociety.com.

What Catholics Don't Know

Catholics may not know what they don't know, but they know enough to embrace mystery, and to wonder.

By Deacon Greg Kandra, February 23, 2011

Some months back, a woman came to the rectory to register her newborn for a baptism. As she filled out the paperwork, I explained that one of the godparents had to be Catholic, but that the other, if necessary, could be a baptized Christian. She put down the pen and furrowed her brow. "What's the difference?" That same day, another new mother also arrived to start the process for a baptism. I looked over the paperwork and noticed that she had left blank the question on the form that asked if the parents had been married by a Catholic priest. I asked her about it. "Well," she began, "I'm not sure if she was a priest . . . " I smiled. "If it was a she," I explained, "it wasn't a Catholic priest." She brightened. "Oh," she exclaimed excitedly. "Then she must have been anun!" Just another morning at the rectory.

Continue reading >>>

Where does it say that Jesus is God?

BY JOHN MARTIGNOLI

Q: I have a co-worker who says he is a Christian, but does not believe Jesus is God because “Scripture nowhere says Jesus is God.”  Are there any verses of Scripture that I can point him to that actually say Jesus is God?

A: First of all, believing that Jesus is God is one of the core beliefs that identifies one as a Christian.  So, even though your co-worker calls himself a Christian, he is not one.  

Regarding whether or not there are any verses of Scripture that say, “Jesus is God,” yes, there are plenty that say so directly and indirectly:    

Titus 2:13, “...our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...” Jesus is directly referred to as “God and Savior.”  

Titus 3:4, “...God our Savior...” 1 John 4:14, “...the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world.”  Scripture refers to Jesus Christ as the “Savior” and refers to the “Savior” as God.

Also, in Titus, it states that Jesus gave Himself to “purify for Himself a people of His own” (Titus 2:14). And, in 2 Cor 6:16, it has the “living God” saying this: “I will be their God and they will be my people.” Well, we’re Jesus’ people and we’re the people of the living God...hmm. Isn’t then Jesus the living God?

John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” John 17:11, “That they may be one, even as We are one.”  What human being would ever say, “I and the Father are one?” How can Jesus and the Father be one, if Jesus is not God?

Isaiah 62:5, “...as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Matt 9:15, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?”  God is the bridegroom. Jesus is the bridegroom. Therefore, Jesus is God.

Romans 9:5, “to [the Israelites] belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, Who is God over all...” The Christ, Jesus, is God over all...so saith the Scriptures. How can Jesus be God over all, yet not be God?

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  Jesus, the Word, is referred to directly as God.

Rev 19:16 refers to Jesus Christ as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Yet, Deut 10:17 refers to the Almighty God as “God of gods and Lord of lords.” How can Jesus be Lord of lords if the God of gods is Lord of lords, unless, of course, Jesus is God?

Heb 1:6 has the Father telling the angels to “worship” Jesus. Isn’t God the only one deserving of worship? Rev 19:10 tells us to “worship God.” But, God tells His angels to worship Jesus. Hmm.

John 5:21, “For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will.” John 5:26, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself...”  Isn’t God the only one Who can give life to Whom He will? Isn’t God the only one who can have life “in Himself”? Yet Jesus does.

In Exodus 3:13-14, Moses asks God His name. God replies that His name is “I Am.” In John 8:58, how does Jesus identify Himself? “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.” Jesus identifies Himself by using the name that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob used to identify Himself.  What happens? The Jews try to stone Him. Why? Because stoning is the punishment for blasphemy. So, either Jesus blasphemed, by applying God’s name to Himself, or He was indeed God.

Finally, there is the verse that leaves absolutely no doubt, John 20:28, when Thomas says to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.”  It’s really hard to get around that one.

About John Martignoni
John Martignoni is the Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama and also the President of the Bible Christian Society. John's column, Apologetics 101, appears regularly in the diocesan newspaper, the One Voice.  If you have a question about the Catholic Faith, please send an email to: jmartignoni@bhmdiocese.org.  And check out John's free audio and written apologetics materials at: www.biblechristiansociety.com.

Poor Saint Joseph

BY DAVID O'BRIEN


Quick. Which saint gets a parade in March and colors everything from clothes to beer Kelly green? Which saint gives everyone, including my Asian wife, an excuse to claim Irish heritage for the day? Yep, Saint Joseph, patron saint of shamrocks, leprechauns and Guinness beer. No, no that’s wrong. St. Patrick is the green guy. Saint Joseph was only the father of Jesus, hardly a reason to strike up a parade.


Somebody needs to tell St. Joseph that he needs a new press agent, maybe St. Patrick’s.


Being an O’Brien, I realize the cosmic value of the great St. Patrick. After all, if it weren’t for St. Patrick saving the Irish, how could the Irish have saved civilization?


Still, it seems like the person who raised Jesus ought to get a little more hype. Just consider for a moment the ways Jesus may have been infl uenced by his dear ole Dad here on earth.


We all know that Joseph cared for pregnant Mary on her journey to Bethlehem and that holy stable. We also recognize that it was Joseph who responded to the angelic dream to escape to Egypt so as to protect the infant messiah from King Herod’s bloodlust.


Certainly, Joseph would have taught Jesus the faith as a young boy, reciting the scriptures and especially the psalms with him until Jesus committed them to memory. In doing so, Joseph would have answered the questions raised about God by his young son. Hence, it was Joseph’s (and Mary’s) take on God that colored Jesus’ religious worldview.


We see evidence of this in Jesus’ adult life.


Some biblical scholars suggest that Joseph may have lived according to the way of the Pharisees. This seems believable since Phariseism was very popular among the people of Jesus’ time. The Pharisees were the local religious leaders in Galilee where Jesus grew up. (The Sadducees wielded their power in Jerusalem, specifi - cally in the temple precinct.) The Pharisees also taught the resurrection of the dead.


Jesus believed in the resurrection, probably a tenet of the faith passed on by Joseph. Jesus also fought with the Pharisees more than anyone else. And with whom do we fight the most and from whom do we expect the most, if not the people to whom we are closest?


So if Joseph was a Pharisee, a strict adherent to the Law of Moses, he would have undoubtedly known that Mary deserved to be stoned to death for getting pregnant during their betrothal (Lev 20:10). But, in fact, Joseph did not subject Mary to the violent judgment of the law (Mt 1:19-25). Instead, he recognized this vulnerable young woman, Mary, a beloved child of God. Wasn’t her life more important than the letter of the law?


Jesus, years later, faced a similar situation (Jn 8:1-11) and it seems he learned his father’s lesson well: the law is meant for justice and mercy. So, like his father, he protected that woman caught in adultery and taught his followers to espouse a religion of forgiveness.


I wonder if Jesus saw something in Joseph that inspired him to tell a parable about a patient father who embraced a wayward son when he returned from his prodigal ways (Lk 15:11-32). Or was Jesus thinking about Joseph when he compared God the Father to a generous earthly father who would never give his son a stone if he requested some bread (Mt 7:9)?


It seems interesting to me that Jesus called God "Abba", the Aramaic word for "Daddy". Joseph was the only "Abba" Jesus ever knew on earth.


So let St. Patrick have the green beer, the festive parades and the shamrock sweaters. This March 19, my money is on St. Joseph, the patron saint of all fathers and workers.


By the way, my realtor tells me that if you bury a statue of St. Joseph in your yard, he will sell your house. Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but even the Baptists do it.

About David O’Brien
David O’Brien is the Associate Director of Religious Education for Lay Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. His column, Everyday Faith, appears regularly in the archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic Week. Email David at dobrien@mobilearchdiocese.org.

Is Apologetics Mean Spirited?

BY JOHN MARTIGNONI

Q: Nothing personal, but I’m really not a big fan of what you do.  All of this apologetics stuff just seems to be filled with so much conflict and tension. How does that evangelize anyone?   Whatever happened to St. Francis’ way of evangelization, “Preach the Gospel always and, when necessary, use words.”  

A: Well, first of all, and I know this may be difficult for some to read, but St. Francis actually never said that, at least, not that anyone has been able to find in anything his early biographers wrote about him.  Secondly, if you read about St. Francis, he actually used a whole lot of words in his evangelization efforts.  One story in particular, about his meeting with the Sultan of Egypt during one of the Crusades, would probably stun a lot of folks as to how “in your face” he was with the Sultan.

Anyway, to your point about apologetics being filled with conflict and tension, before I tell you why I disagree with what you’re saying, I want to first address what I believe is a larger societal issue that seems to underlie your contention.  It seems, in my humble opinion, that just about the only mortal sin a person can commit in our society today, is to tell someone else they are wrong about something.

We can’t tell the adulterer that he is wrong, so let’s have no-fault divorce.  We can’t tell anyone abortion is wrong, so let’s just respect everyone’s privacy.  We can’t tell homosexuals that same-sex relations are wrong, so let’s just live and let live.  Again, telling someone they are wrong is just about the only sin one can commit in today’s society.  So, in such an environment, debate becomes inherently wrong.  Argument, in the classical sense of the word, becomes inherently wrong.  Disagreeing with someone on issues of faith and morals becomes inherently wrong.

Thus, engaging in apologetics seems to be inherently wrong under such a prevailing societal attitude.  To tell those who disagree with Catholic teaching they are wrong, becomes a sin, of sorts.  It is viewed as being filled with “conflict and tension,” and as being unnecessarily adversarial.  But, it just isn’t so.  

First and foremost, apologetics is about seeking the truth.  Jesus said, “Know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” (John 8:32).  Apologetics is not about argument for argument’s sake, but about discovering truth.  In order to help my separated brethren in Christ discover the truth that the Eucharist is indeed the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and not merely a symbol, I have to engage in apologetics.  

Second, and closely related to the above, apologetics is about love.  If I truly love those who are not Catholic - whether they be Baptist, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or even atheist - would I not want to do everything...everything!...in my power to bring them to Jesus Christ in the Sacraments, and, particularly, to bring them to Him in the Eucharist? I mean, if I really and truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, and that a Catholic can receive Him at any given Mass, then why would I not want to do all that I could to bring everyone into the Catholic Church so as to receive Him?  Why would I not want to share the truth with them?  Can I truly be said to love someone if I am unwilling to step out of my comfort zone to share the truths of the Catholic Faith with them?  

Now, do discussions about faith and morals sometimes involve conflict and tension?  Absolutely.  But, does searching for truth sometimes involve conflict and tension?  Does loving others sometimes involve conflict and tension?  Indeed they do.

(To be continued...)

About John Martignoni

John Martignoni is the Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama and also the President of the Bible Christian Society. John's column, Apologetics 101, appears regularly in the diocesan newspaper, the One Voice.  If you have a question about the Catholic Faith, please send an email to: jmartignoni@bhmdiocese.org.  And check out John's free audio and written apologetics materials at: www.biblechristiansociety.com.

MOSJ Lenten Challenge

BY GARY CONSTANTINE

The life of an ant is full of humility. They live underground or on the surface which from a human perspective cannot be comfortable. They work tirelessly all day to support their colony. Stir the nest and watch them over time repair the damage and move forward with daily life. They exist without concern for our existence, quietly and humbly going about their way.

Today there is another colony of men that are steadfast and persistent as these lowly creatures. Today, look about the Catholic landscape and these barely noticeable groups of ordinary guys have popped up in 13 dioceses across America and in 4 countries.

Within these mounds are the spiritual leaders of their families. They are diligent in their every day lives. They treat their family like the queen of the mound. They nourish their young with love and good conscience. They protect their family from harm and the anxieties of daily life. They are soldiers of God armed with the word as their sword.They carry within them the Holy Spirit, a severe sting of venom for any demon to cross their path. Each is moving along his spiritual journey, at his own pace, helping others along the way.

These are The Men of St Joseph.

They are doctors, policeman, lawyers, carpenters, salesmen, fishermen, all works of life and carry all of the labels society puts on them. This is not a political group, but with their values and character, and no fear of taking them to a voting booth, a great politician can be made. These are average guys with common issues and a goal to be extraordinary.

They huddle at different times of the week, usually early in the morning. The Men of St. Joseph challenge and welcome you to join us once a week at a local chapter this Lenten season. If you are interested in joining or experiencing the spiritual synergy produced in these groups please contact any of us using the link below.

Men of St. Joseph Chapter List

All of us want to be better men, better Catholics and better fathers. This is a step in that direction.

Join us in our efforts to “Put the family in the hands of the Father”

"I Don’t Give A...."

By DAVID O'BRIEN

Growing up Catholic usually includes the customary First Holy Communion, First Penance and Confirmation moments along the journey. For too many, however, these sacramental celebrations which are meant to launch us into a life of discipleship become quaint memories of childhood, necessary stepping stones on the way to graduation from Church.

Too often, young adults and older Catholics mention that they haven’t been to confession since Sister forced them to for Confirmation in 8th grade. How sad! Here the Lord, who held back nothing to free us from the burden of our sinfulness, gives us this opportunity to experience His healing and forgiveness and we treat the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an uncomfortable memory from our childhood. Confession is such a gift but we take it for granted.

A group of seniors at a Catholic high school retreat were lined up to go to confession. For many, it had been years since their last confession. But, when they complained, they were told it was part of the retreat experience.

So rather than fight the teachers, they decided to make a mockery of the process. Waiting in line, they concocted ridiculous sins to tell the priest. "I ran over my grandmother with my car" one jokester suggested. "I’ll say I locked my baby sister in the closet for a day" offered another.

They laughed and congratulated themselves for their creativity and wit as they awaited their turn. When the door opened and the light above the confessional went on, the first young man irreverently made his way in, leaving the door slightly ajar so his friends could hear his charade.

The priest listened intently as the young man, fighting to suppress his laughter, ticked off his sins. When he finished, the priest offered this penance:

"I want you to go to the front of the church where the crucifix is and look up at Jesus and say three times: ‘You did all this for me and I don’t give a damn’."

"That’s it Father, that’s all I have to do?" replied the young man. "I did run over my Nana."

"Yes, just stand before the cross and repeat those words three times," answered the priest.

Happy to get off so easy, the young man skipped past his friends and up to the altar where he encountered a life-sized Jesus hanging on the cross.

He began: "You did all this for me and I don’t give a damn." Nothing, simple, just two more to go.

Looking up at the cross, he continued: "You did all this for me..." Suddenly his voice broke and he realized what he was saying. He fought to control his emotions and finished the line "...and I don’t give a damn."

Staring now directly at Jesus, he imagined Him looking back at him. Jesus’ eyes are so filled with blood and tears, He could barely see him. The young man began to openly cry, recognizing the gravity of his sin and his lack of gratitude for the immense sacrifice that had been made for him.

Still he pressed on to complete his penance. "Jesus, you did all this for me...." The words barely make it past his lips. "...and I don’t give a damn."

Turning quickly, he wiped his tears and pushed to the front of the confession line. When the light went on, he rushed in and knelt before the priest, weeping as he softly repeated "I’m so sorry, I’m so, so sorry."

Years later, that young man went on to become a priest. Now he sits inside the confessional, leaving the light on for you and me.

And Christ? He still hangs on that cross, waiting, ready to forgive. He loves us as we are, not as we should be. Do we give a damn?

About David O’Brien
David O’Brien is the Associate Director of Religious Education for Lay Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile. His column, Everyday Faith, appears regularly in the archdiocesan newspaper, the Catholic Week. Email David at dobrien@mobilearchdiocese.org.

Related articles

• Archbishop Rodi: How to Make a Good Confession (archdiocese.org)

Martin Luther and Immaculate Mary

BY JOHN MARTIGNONI

Q:
I have been told that Martin Luther actually believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Is that true?

A:

Image via WikipediaNot only did Martin Luther believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary, but so did most of the early Protestant leaders. Here’s a quote from Max Thurian, who was Protestant, from his book, Mary, Mother of all Christians, that was published in 1963:

"In regard to the Marian doctrine of the Reformers, we have already seen how unanimous they are in all that concerns Mary's holiness and perpetual virginity..."

Below are a number of quotes from the original Protestant leaders regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity. First up, Martin Luther:

"Christ, our Savior, was the real and natural fruit of Mary's virginal womb...This was without the cooperation of a man, and she remained a virgin after that."

"Christ...was the only Son of Mary, and the Virgin Mary bore no children besides Him...I am inclined to agree with those who declare that 'brothers' really mean 'cousins' here, for Holy Writ and the Jews always call cousins brothers."

"A new lie about me is being circulated. I am supposed to have preached and written that Mary, the mother of God, was not a virgin either before or after the birth of Christ..."

In addition to Martin Luther, the other major figure of Protestantism in the 16th century was John Calvin. Here are a few quotes from him on Mary’s perpetual virginity:

[On Matt 1:25:] "The inference he [Helvidius] drew from it was, that Mary remained a virgin no longer than till her first birth, and that afterwards she had other children by her husband...No just and well-grounded inference can be drawn from these words...as to what took place after the birth of Christ. He is called 'first-born'; but it is for the sole purpose of informing us that he was born of a virgin...What took place afterwards the historian does not inform us...No man will obstinately keep up the argument, except from an extreme fondness for disputation."

"Concerning what has happened since this birth the writer of the gospel says nothing...certainly it is a matter about which no one will cause dispute unless he is somewhat curious; on the contrary there never was a man who would contradict this in obstinacy unless he were a pig headed and fatuous person." (Commentary on Matthew 1:25.)

"There have been certain folk who have wished to suggest from this passage (Matt 1:25) that the Virgin Mary had other children than the Son of God, and that Joseph had then dwelt with her later; but what folly this is! For the gospel writer did not wish to record what happened afterwards...And besides this, our Lord Jesus Christ is called the first-born. This is not because there was a second or a third, but because the gospel writer is paying regard to the precedence. Scripture speaks thus of naming the first-born whether or no there was any question of the second."

And these words from Ulrich Zwingli, another important 16th century Protestant leader:

"Mary, according to the words of the gospel, as a pure Virgin, brought forth for us the Son of God and in childbirth and after childbirth forever remained a pure, intact Virgin."

"I believe with all my heart according to the word of holy gospel that this pure virgin bore for us the Son of God and that she remained, in the birth and after it, a pure and unsullied virgin, for eternity.”

"I esteem immensely the Mother of God, the ever chaste, immaculate Virgin Mary..."

About John Martignoni
John Martignoni is the Director of the Office of Evangelization for the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama and also the President of the Bible Christian Society. John's column, Apologetics 101, appears regularly in the diocesan newspaper, the One Voice.  If you have a question about the Catholic Faith, please send an email to: jmartignoni@bhmdiocese.org.  And check out John's free audio and written apologetics materials at: www.biblechristiansociety.com.

Related articles

• Mary's Perpetual Virginity: Why Does It Matter? (insidecatholic.com)
• Our Lady's Perpetual Virginity is a Prophetic Sign (insidecatholic.com)