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SOURCE: Fr. Bryan Kujawa’s Archives. Switch videos using icon in the upper right corner.
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Historical and Cultural
Contexts
Historical Context
From a historical context, the Ten Commandments are given shortly after the Israelites have been freed from their slavery in Egypt. They are in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land, and God is establishing His covenant with them as His chosen people. The Ten Commandments serve as a moral and religious code for the Israelites, but they were also unique in their time because they were given by a divine being rather than a human ruler. This set the Israelites apart from other nations and solidified their identity as God's chosen people.
Cultural Context
From a cultural context, the Ten Commandments were given to a people who had been living in a society where the Egyptian gods were prominent and often worshipped. The commands to have no other gods before God, to make no graven images, and to keep the Sabbath holy would have been a significant shift in their way of life. These commandments set the Israelites apart and reminded them of their chosen status with Yahweh.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25 falls within the larger context of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. In this letter, Paul addresses issues within the church such as divisions, immorality, disorder in worship, and false teaching. The church in Corinth was made up of a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, who were struggling to live out their faith in a culture that was hostile to Christianity.
Historical Context
In terms of historical context, Corinth was a thriving city known for its trade and commerce, but also for its immorality and idolatry. It was a melting pot of different cultures and religions, with a strong influence from Greek philosophy and culture. This context would have greatly impacted the Corinthian church as they struggled with conflicting beliefs and behaviors in their new faith.
Cultural Context
Culturally, the idea of the cross and the message of the gospel would have been considered foolish and weak by the Greeks, who valued wisdom and strength. The culture also placed great importance on social status and hierarchy, which could have contributed to the divisions within the church. Additionally, the practice of idolatry and pagan worship would have been prevalent in Corinth, making it a challenging environment for Christian believers.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Historical Context
This event took place during the Passover festival, one of the most important Jewish religious observances. Jerusalem would have been crowded with Jewish pilgrims coming to the city to celebrate Passover. The temple was the focal point of religious life for the Jewish people, and during Passover, it would have been even busier than usual.
By cleansing the temple, Jesus was challenging the commercialization and corruption that had infiltrated the sacred space. His actions were symbolic of purifying and restoring the true purpose of the temple as a house of prayer. This event also foreshadowed Jesus' role as the ultimate sacrifice and the one who would ultimately replace the temple as the focal point of worship.
Cultural Context
The temple in Jerusalem was not only a religious center but also an economic hub. Money changers and sellers of animals for sacrifices operated within the temple precincts. The practice of selling animals and exchanging currency was necessary for pilgrims who needed to purchase sacrificial offerings and pay temple taxes with the appropriate currency.
Jesus' actions would have provoked strong reactions from the religious authorities, as he was challenging their practices and authority. The temple authorities would have viewed his actions as disruptive and possibly blasphemous. This event contributed to the growing tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, ultimately leading to his crucifixion.
SOURCE: Content written in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Key Words
BIBLE
STUDY
Gospel Reading
First Reading
Word
Sunday
Word-Sunday
by Larry Broding
1st Reading: The Ten Commandments
2nd Reading: Scandal and Folly
Gospel: The Cleansing of the Temple
Questions for
Small Groups
Discussion Questions
Small Group Questions
3rd Sunday of Lent B
Vince Contreras
In the 2nd Reading, what does St. Paul describe as a “stumbling block” and “foolishness”? Why does he say that? Has your share in Jesus’ cross been a “stumbling block” or seemed like “foolishness” in your life—to yourself or others? How can you more view the cross as Jesus and St. Paul viewed it (verses 24-25; Luke 9:23)?
How might the once useful practice of the sale of sacrificial animals at the temple have deteriorated into a racket? Why else was Jesus angry (Psalm 69:10)?
As one of the sellers, how would you feel about Jesus’ action? As one of the disciples?
How is Jesus challenged (verse 18)? Why? What effect does this response have on them?
Why doesn’t Jesus entrust himself “to men” (see RSVCE) in verses 23-25? See John 3:1-2.
If you compare your spiritual life to the rooms of a house, which room do you think Jesus might want to clean up this Lent: a) Library—the reading/media room? b) Dining room—appetites, desires? c) Workshop—where you keep your skills and talents? d) Family room—where most of your relationships are lived out? e) Closet—where your “hang-ups” are?
How does Jesus’ cleansing of the temple apply to the Church and to us as Christians (1 Peter 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:13-20, especially verse 19; Hebrews 12:4-11, 14; CCC 1695)?
SOURCE: SundayScriptureStudy.com / used with permission
Small Group Questions
3rd Sunday of Lent B
Anne Osdieck
FIRST READING
1. Why do you think the Ten Commandments have survived all the way from the time of Moses? Is there more in each one than we ordinarily see? For instance, could respect for life be extrapolated from “Thou shalt not kill.” Try some others.
SECOND READING
2. To what do the “foolishness” and “weakness” of God refer? St. Paul says the Jews had a problem accepting Christ crucified. What about you: how do you accept him? And what about the crosses in your own life? Are they “stumbling blocks” or stepping stones for you?
GOSPEL
3. “And to those who sold doves he said, take these out of here.” If we take the “marketplace” out of our Church, what could we put in its place? Classes and homilies that help us love God? Activities that spread that love to others? Feed the hungry, pass living wage bills, fix climate change, end racial bias?
SOURCE: Sunday Web Site at Saint Louis University
Small Group Questions
3rd Sunday of Lent B
Fr. Clement
Thibodeau
Is it really a sign of the inadequacy of our faith when we beg God for a miracle? Is it true that we must always accept whatever our lot is in life and never seek to change it? Is it wrong to ask God to heal us when we are sick or to ask for the healing of someone we love? Does faith require that we forgo any improvement in our physical wellbeing? Since Jesus says that his resurrection is the only sign worth seeking, must we conclude that it is sinful to seek other signs?
Have you ever hesitated to ask God for a favor for yourself? Do you sometimes try to disguise your personal need by asking God only indirectly, for the wellbeing of someone you love, for example? When did you finally decide that you could and should pray for yourself also? What brought you to that decision? How can you relate your own wellbeing to the resurrection of Christ being made real in your life?
Do you often think of the Ten Commandments as an expression of God’s merciful love? Were you brought up to view the commandments as freedom giving? Are you now able to accept the commandments of God as a gift that will bring you happiness if you observe them faithfully? Discuss some examples of the bondage that results from repeated violations of the commandments
SOURCE: Portland Diocese
Small Group Questions
3rd Sunday of Lent B
Fr. Eamon Tobin
Name some ways you see people today violating the First Commandment. What helps you to deep God first in your life? What makes it difficult?
Can you give an example where living the Gospel can make you look foolish to others? If you have a personal example, what gave you the courage to be
true to your beliefs?
How do you feel about people who show zeal for a particular cause? How is their behavior like or different from Jesus?
When it comes to worship of God, there is always the danger that our worship becomes ritualistic. We go through the motions of prayer. What can help us to stop that from happening?
Name one thing today’s Gospel says to us that we disciples of Jesus need to heed and act on.