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OUTLINE
I. Abraham's Ultimate Test of Faith (Genesis 22:1-2)
A. God's command to sacrifice Isaac
B. Abraham's willingness to follow God's command
II. Abraham's Obedience and Preparation (Genesis 22:9a)
A. Abraham's obedience to God's command
B. Abraham's preparations for the sacrifice
III. The Act of Sacrifice (Genesis 22:10-13)
A. Abraham's action of raising the knife to sacrifice Isaac
B. God's intervention and provision of a ram for sacrifice
IV. God's Affirmation of Blessing (Genesis 22:15-18)
A. God's reaffirmation of blessings upon Abraham
B. Promises of numerous descendants and land inheritance
Historical Context
The story of Abraham takes place during the time period of the early Bronze Age, between 2000-1500 BCE. At this time, the Semitic peoples were nomadic and worshiped a pantheon of gods. Abraham's family were descendants of Shem, one of Noah's sons, and they lived in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia. The ancient Near East was home to various peoples and cultures, including the Canaanites, who inhabited the land that God promised to Abraham.
Cultural Context
In the culture of the ancient Near East, a child was considered a blessing and a symbol of God's favor. This is why the promise of offspring was so important to Abraham and Sarah. In addition, the practice of child sacrifice was also prevalent among the peoples of the Near East, particularly the Canaanites. The idea of offering a child as a sacrifice to appease a deity was not uncommon in this time period, although it was often reserved for extreme situations such as drought or famine.
In this context, God's command for Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac is shocking and goes against the cultural norms of the time. However, it also serves as a test of Abraham's faith and obedience to God.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
OUTLINE
II. The Assurance of God's Love (Rom 8:31b-32)
II. Christ's Intercession for Believers (Rom 8:33-34)
Historical Context
The book of Romans was written by Paul while he was in Corinth, around 57-58 AD. At this time, the city of Rome was experiencing a lot of turmoil and persecution under the rule of Emperor Nero. The Christian community in Rome was also facing persecution from both the Jewish leaders and the Roman authorities. Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Rome to encourage them and to explain the doctrine of salvation and the righteousness of God.
Cultural Context
The church in Rome was made up of both Jews and Gentiles, and there was a lot of tension between these two groups. The Jews prided themselves in being God's chosen people and some of them struggled to accept that salvation was now available to the Gentiles as well. Paul addresses this issue in his letter, emphasizing that salvation is available to all who believe, regardless of their ethnicity or background.
The cultural context of Rome also included a polytheistic society, where people worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The idea of one supreme God, who had a plan for salvation through Jesus Christ, was quite radical and would have been a challenge for many to accept.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
OUTLINE
I. The Transfiguration Event (Mark 9:2-4)
A. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain
B. Jesus is transfigured before them, his clothes becoming dazzling white
C. Elijah and Moses appear and talk with Jesus
II. Peter's Response and the Divine Voice (Mark 9:5-7)
A. Peter suggests building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
B. A cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud declares Jesus as God's Son, commanding them to listen to him
III. The Return to Normalcy (Mark 9:8-10)
A. The disciples see that only Jesus remains with them
B. Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone about what they have witnessed until after his resurrection
C. The disciples discuss among themselves what Jesus meant by rising from the dead
Historical Context
The Transfiguration takes place in the region of Caesarea Philippi, which was a predominantly Gentile area. This location holds significance, as it was an area where Gentile beliefs strongly influenced Jewish beliefs. In this setting, Jesus reveals his true nature as the Son of God, establishing his authority over all other belief systems.
In Jewish culture, mountains are often seen as places of divine revelation and are associated with God. In the Old Testament, God reveals himself to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19) and to Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8-13). This background would have been familiar to the disciples and would add to the significance of Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain. Additionally, the appearance of Moses and Elijah further emphasizes the divine nature of the event, as both are significant figures in Jewish history and prophets who heard from God on mountains. The presence of a cloud also holds cultural and symbolic significance, as it often represented the presence of God in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:16, 34:5).
Overall, the Transfiguration serves as a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, marking the transition from his earthly ministry to his redemptive work on the cross. It also affirms his divine nature and authority, setting the stage for his eventual death and resurrection.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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by Larry Broding
1st Reading: Command to Sacrifice of Isaac
2nd Reading: Acquittal Before The Trial
Gospel: The Transfiguration
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Discussion Questions
Small Group Questions
2nd Sunday of Lent B
Vince Contreras
In the 1st reading, in what ways is the story of “the binding of Isaac” a foreshadowing—or type—of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? What is the difference?
In the 2nd reading what does Paul tell us that God did for us? What results from this? What confidence and trust should we have in God as a result of this?
What is the connection between Mark 9:1 and the Transfiguration?
What do you imagine this scene was like? What is the significance of Moses’ and Elijah’s presence? Of the voice (see Mark 1:11)? Why would this event be important for the disciples?
Who played the role of Elijah (see Matthew 17:10-13)? With what result (Mark 6:14-29)? How could John the Baptist’s fate help the disciples understand the nature of Jesus’ messiahship?”
Where have you grasped a bit of Jesus’ glory in a special way?
How does the picture of a suffering Messiah shape your view of what the Christian life is all about?
Both John the Baptist (Mark 1:6) and Jesus followed practices of self-discipline for religious reasons. What self-disciplining practices do you use for religious reasons? How have they influenced your own “change of heart” (repentance)?
SOURCE: SundayScriptureStudy.com / used with permission
Small Group Questions
2nd Sunday of Lent B
Anne Osdieck
FIRST READING
1. Abraham discovers that God does not allow human sacrifice. How does human trafficking relate to human sacrifice? Would raising the minimum wage eradicate some kinds of human sacrifice?
SECOND READING
2. How does intervening “for” someone, taking a stand for him or her, relate to the commandment, “love your neighbor?” For whom can you intervene? Do you ever do it?
GOSPEL
3. It took a blinding light for Peter, James and John to begin to see or understand who Jesus was. Think of some problems in your country that need illumination (such as racism, immigration, environment). What needs to happen in these areas before you would be able to see something divine in them
SOURCE: Sunday Web Site at Saint Louis University
Small Group Questions
2nd Sunday of Lent B
Fr. Clement
Thibodeau
Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” Describe your experience of a time when you felt close to God. Were you comforted by that closeness? Comparing your experience with that of the disciples of Jesus, what purpose to you think the Lord has in allowing us to feel the beauty and goodness of his presence?
Moses and Elijah appear to verify that Jesus has now assumed the roles of lawgiver and spokesperson for God. When the disciples “saw only Jesus,” what were they to conclude? That the law and the prophets were now fulfilled? That Jesus is to be heard now, as completing the law and the prophets? Why do you think we do not spontaneously come to that conclusion when we too “see only Jesus” now?
What comfort and assurance do you find in the community of the Church that has preserved and shared with us the story of the Transfiguration? Do you see the Church community as comforting and assuring the world? What would your parish community need to do to make more visible to all its comforting and reassuring role?
SOURCE: Portland Diocese
Small Group Questions
2nd Sunday of Lent B
Fr. Eamon Tobin
What was the toughest thing God ever asked of you?
Abraham would have answered, “When God asked me to sacrifice my only son.” What would your answer be?
Who/what are our Isaacs that we may find very hard to surrender to God if asked?
In the second reading, Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” To what extent have you felt God’s providential care down through the years? Was there ever a time you felt God had abandoned you?
Spiritually, have you ever had a “mountaintop” experience? If so, what was that like for you? How did it change your life?
Name on thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on.