First recorded ceremony to expel a demon (exorcism) AND Wedding vows in the same chapter???. Chapter 8
Book of Judith
The story revolves around Judith, a daring and beautiful widow, who is upset with her Jewish countrymen for not trusting God to deliver them from their foreign conquerors. She goes with her loyal maid to the camp of the enemy general, Holofernes, with whom she slowly ingratiates herself, promising him information on the Israelites. Gaining his trust, she is allowed access to his tent one night as he lies in a drunken stupor. She decapitates him, then takes his head back to her fearful countrymen. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, disperse, and Israel is saved. Though she is courted by many, Judith remains unmarried for the rest of her life. Book of Sirach Chapter 38 On Sickness & Death - Giving doctors their due. Book of Wisdom Chapter 10 - "God as a woman?"
Monday, January 7th - Day 1 We began looking at who is a prophet and prophetic people. After our final, we will take a brief look at Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King and Thomas Merton... For now....Let is pray and consider the Scripture, Luke 4:14 - 30 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4&version=NRSV
This is referred to Jesus' Mission statement. Notice what is 'proclaimed" and who is mentioned as well as the reaction of those in synagogue. Important stories...
Widow of Zarephath
A foreign widow—socially marginal and religiously outside the true community of God—is fed, her son is brought to life, and she acknowledges YHWH. The individual incident prefigures the national message. God will provide for the Israelites and give them life; they must commit themselves to God. Elijah - Chariot of Fire
Assignment: Read textbook pages 154 - 157 on Amos In your notes, write your thoughts on the following statement: In our society, we sometimes enjoy luxuries at the expense of those who are poor. Tuesday, January 8th - Day 2 Sharing of homework reflection
Referring to notes, we will look further in the Book of Amos, a "writing prophet."
Assignment: Read text pages 157 - 160 - Hosea
In your notes, complete the following: If Hosea were to name his children to symbolize corruption in our time or in our country, what names do you think he might choose? List and explain.
Wednesday, January 9th, Day 3
Prayer : "Cry of the Poor"
Notes will be distributed and an in-depth look at Scripture on the prophet.
Homework sharing.
Assignment: Read text pages 161- 164, 167 -171: Answer question #3 on page 171.
This week we will continue our look at the beginning, rise and fall of Kingdom of Israel as portrayed in the lives of Saul, David, Solomon and Solomon's sons. We we also introduce the role of the prophet like Nathan under David and the role of the prophets like Elijah and Elisha in the time of King Ahab (Jezebel). We will have a quiz on Thursday,12/13 on Judges (the cycle of sin and deliverance) and Samuel and Saul (Jonathan) (who they are) and Samuel's warning about Israel having a king. See below
1 Samuel 8:10-22English Standard Version (ESV)
Samuel's Warning Against Kings
10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him.11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants.15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants.16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men[a] and your donkeys, and put them to his work.17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves.18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
The Lord Grants Israel's Request
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us,20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”
The past few weeks in class we watched and discussed the movie McFarland USA . The creative two page assignment, based on the work of Chapter 5 of your text, is due this Friday, December 7th. This week in class: We will reading and discussing Chapter 6. You assignment is to be sure you have your text and binder AND to complete your creative writing assignment. Notes will be distributed in class. Hannah's Song
Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving
2 Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord; My [a]horn is exalted in the Lord, My mouth [b]speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 “There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “[c]Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty are shattered, But the feeble gird on strength. 5 “Those who were full hire themselves out for bread, But those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven, But she who has many children languishes. 6 “The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to [d]Sheol and raises up. 7 “The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, And He set the world on them. 9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. 10 “Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered; Against them He will thunder in the heavens, The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; And He will give strength to His king, And will exalt the [e]horn of His anointed.”
Friday, December 7th
What makes a good leader? The President's prayer
George H.W. Bush - 1989 Inaugural Speech
Today in class we will go a close reading of Scripture that follows the course of reading in your text pages 122 - 127. There will be videos to highlight key aspects of the story that reads something like the Netflix series "House of Cards" or the HBO series base don the works of George R.R. Martin, "Game of Thrones."
Monday, November 12th Day 8 Today in our block schedule we will: 1. Review the packet from next week for our re-scheduled test for this Tuesday (Day1) 2. Review reading for the introduction of Chapter 5 Assignment: Study for Tuesday's test Tuesday, November 13th Day 1 Test Wednesday, November 14th Day 2 Theology Planning Day - In-class Assignment on the Judges. A handout for our Movie McFarland USA will be distributed Thursday. Read pages 104 - 110. Judges :Saving Israel from Itself Important! Read the Scripture passages within the text reading. Complete the following questions in your notes section of your binder. Complete all work at home if not finished during class. The first three questions are similar to the ones in your text. 1.What is the fourfold pattern that occurs repeatedly in the Book of Judges? 2. What was the role of the judges? 3. The story of Deborah and Jael is quite unique. How might this story have given hope to exiled Jews later in history? 4. Recall that so far in Scripture we have read how God works through "flawed people." From your text AND Scripture readings describe the character of Deborah (especially in dealing with Barack), Gideon and Samson.
Thursday & Friday - McFarland, USA
Track coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley. Coach White and his new students find that they have much to learn about one another, but things begin to change when White realizes the boys' exceptional running ability. More than just physical prowess drives the teens to succeed; their strong family ties, incredible work ethic and commitment to their team all play a factor in forging these novice runners into champions.
This week we will conclude the Torah with a look at Leviticus & Deuteronomy (See packet). Below will be terms that will be part of you test on this material as well as Exodus (terms and people)
Study the Sh'ma (Shema) Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Know these terms: mezuzah, phylacteries, Levi, Yom Kippur, Pesakh. dispersion, Shema, jubilee (Lev. 25: 18-22), Deuteronomy, Gleaning, Golden Rule (Lev. 19:18), Holy (what it means), tabernacle, blood = The Bible does say for the life of the flesh is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11); for it is the life of all flesh (Leviticus 17:14); …for the blood is the life (Deuteronomy 12:23).
Note the difference in these books, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers
Leviticus - What three things does God give the people?
One could summarize the intent of Leviticus in this verse Lev. 19:1 -2, Lev. 20:26 Here God explains the purpose of His laws: Know the two things - You shall be holy to me; for I the Lord am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples to be mine.
Numbers - Purpose of the Book
Numbers 12 - Why is jealousy a problem
Numbers 20: 1 -13 Moses and the Rock
Deuteronomy - Know that it is Moses' "Last will and Testament" - Second law
What three things are central to the Book
Shema, Teach your children, Sensitivity towards the poor
THe importance of the Holiness Code Chapter 18 - 20
Deuteronomy 24 - Marriage and Divorce, the law of Gleaning (again) and care for the alien.
Monday, November 5th
Leftovers : Moses and the Rock
Leviticus:
Assignment: Read through the various passages in Leviticus for homework
