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Our Bible

Come. Turn the pages of the Bible with me and wonder at the variety of its many books, styles of writing and glimpses of the people who wrote those books.

Book of Genesis:
Chapter one is a poem in which the author imagines God’s creating the world’s in a working-man’s week of six days followed by a day of rest. In the final part of the 6th day God says; “Let us make humankind in our own image and likeness.” Our? Yes! Sofia (Wisdom) is with God – she tells us herself in the Book of Wisdom, chapter nine, that she was with God in the beginning and has delighted being with us throughout human history.

Chapter two is a myth – a story revealing religious truth. The man is lonely and God takes one of the man’s ribs and forms a woman. The man(ish) awakes and looks at the woman (ishah) with delight made from his giving her life. They love one another.

Chapter three tells the sad story of the man and the woman misusing their freedom. They choose to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They blame each other, blame the serpent, but they must leave the Garden. Just before they do the man gives his wife the name ‘Eve’ because she is mother, life giving.

In Chapter four begins the story of a family. Sons, Cain and Abel, are born to Eve and the man. Cain kills his brother and flees to the land of Nod where he marries a local woman. Only at the end of chapter four do we have a name for the man – Adam (‘Adamah’- made of soil).

In Chapter twelve we meet Abra(h)am and the story of a people begins – Isaac, Jacob, and the promise is made that their descendants will inherit the land.

The Book of Exodus:
The second book of the Bible. Moses takes his people out of slavery to lead them to the promised land. Moses sees the land before he dies.

The Book of Joshua:
This is the ugliest book of the Bible – conquest, genocide and a brutal Joshua determined to wipe out the native peoples, the Palestinians, whose home this land had been for centuries.

The Bible is not the title-deeds for the Holy Land to belong to the Jews. That is a false claim, and we hear from the books of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, etc, the heartbreak of God who loves the whole human family.

“Listen, remotest islands,” is a call of God’s love to the world and everyone included: the stranger and the migrant and refugee to be welcomed and helped. God’s universal love runs throughout all the Bible and is completed when Jesus brings the Good News (Gospel) of that love.

The Bible is a love-story.

We share God’s love and blessing,

Fr John

(20th November 2022)

Related Links: Popular Reads and Fr John’s Parish Newsletters

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365+ Bible Events

Easy access to three hundred and sixty-five Old and New Testament stories with accompanying reflection and prayer.

Old Testament

From Genesis to the Prophet Jonah

  1. Creation Of The World (Genesis 1)
  2. Adam And Eve (Genesis 2)
  3. Cain And Abel (Genesis 4)
  4. Noah And The Great Flood (Genesis 6-8)
  5. The Tower Of Babel (Genesis 11)
  6. Abraham (Genesis 12-17)
  7. Sodom And Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19)
  8. Abraham’s Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)
  9. Joseph And The Coat Of Many Colours (Genesis 37)
  10. The Birth Of Moses (Exodus 2)
  11. Moses At The Well (Exodus 2)
  12. Moses And The Burning Bush (Exodus 3)
  13. Moses, The Pharaoh and The Plagues (Exodus 7-11)
  14. Moses Crossing The Red Sea (Exodus 14)
  15. Moses, Quail, Manna And Water (Exodus 16-17)
  16. God’s Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)
  17. Israelite’s Enter The Promised Land (Joshua)
  18. Samson And Delilah (Judges 13-16)
  19. Samson’s Death (Judges 16)
  20. Samuel, Last Of The Judges (1-2 Samuel)
  21. Saul, First King Of Israel And Judah (1-2 Samuel)
  22. David, The King And Goliath (2 Samuel)
  23. Solomon, The King (1 Kings)
  24. Prophet Elijah (1-2 Kings)
  25. Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah)
  26. Prophet Jeremiah And Babylonian Exile (Jeremiah)
  27. Prophet Daniel (Daniel)
  28. Prophet Jonah And The Whale (Jonah)

New Testament

Chapter 1: The Prophet John The Baptist

  1. Promise Of John The Baptist’s Birth (Lk 1: 5-25)
  2. Birth and Circumcision Of John (Lk 1: 57-66)
  3. Zechariah’s Praise And Prediction (Lk 1: 67-80)
  4. Ministry Of John The Baptist (Mt 3:1-10, Mk 1:2-6, Lk 3:1-9, Jn 1:19-23)
  5. What John Said About Jesus (Mt 3:11-12, Mk 1:7-8, Lk 3:15-18, Jn 1:24-28)
  6. John The Baptist’s Questions To Jesus (Mt 11:2-6, Lk 7:18-23)
  7. John Baptises Jesus (Mt 3:13-17, Mk 1:9-11, Lk 3:21-22, Jn 1:29-34)
  8. Jesus Praises John The Baptist (Mt 11:7-19, Lk 7:24-35)
  9. What Made John A Good Man? (Mt 11:7-19, Lk 7:24-35)
  10. The Death of John The Baptist (Mt 14:3-12, Mk 6:14-29, Lk 9:7-9)
  11. Herod Believes John Has Risen (Mt 14:1-2, Mk 6:14-16, Lk 9:7-9)

Chapter 2: Jesus’ Birth And Childhood

  1. The Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38)
  2. The Visitation (1) (Lk 1:39-45)
  3. The Visitation (2) (Lk 1:39-45)
  4. Mary’s Song of Praise to God (Lk 1:46-56)
  5. The Genealogy of Jesus (Mt 1:2-7, Lk 3:23-38)
  6. The Birth of Jesus (Mt 1:18-27, Lk 3:23-38)
  7. Shepherds Visit the Baby Jesus (Mt 2:1-12, Lk 2:8-20)
  8. Three Magi Visit the Baby Jesus (Mt 2:1-12)
  9. Simeon Meets the Baby Jesus (Lk 2:21-38)
  10. Anna Meets the Baby Jesus (Lk 2:21-38)
  11. Holy Family Escape to Egypt (Mt 2:13-21)
  12. Jesus is Lost in Jerusalem (Lk 2:41-52)

Chapter 3: Jesus’ Early Public Ministry

  1. Temptation of Jesus in the Desert (Mt 4:1-11, Mk 1:12-13, Lk 4:1-13)
  2. God’s Love for Us (Jn 3:16-21)
  3. Jesus calls his First Disciples (Jn 1:35-51)
  4. Jesus Calls Bartholomew (Jn 1:43-51)
  5. Wedding Feast at Cana (Jn 2:1-11)
  6. Jesus’ First Cleansing of the Temple (Jn 2:14-22)
  7. Jesus Meets Nichodemus (Jn 3:1-21)

Chapter 4: Jesus’ Ministry In Galilee (Part 1)

  1. Jesus’ Journey – A Brief Summary (Synoptic Gospels)
  2. Jesus Talks to a Samaritan Woman (Jn 4:1-42)
  3. The Samaritan Town’s Response (Jn 4:1-42)
  4. Jesus’ First Cleansing of the Temple (Jn 2:14-22)
  5. Jesus Heals a Royal Official’s Son (Mt 8:5-13, Mk 7:30, Lk 7:1-10, Jn 4:46b-54)
  6. Jesus Reveals He is The Son of God (Lk 4:14b-30)
  7. Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth (Lk 4:16-30 )
  8. Jesus Appoints Simon and Andrew (Mt 4:18-22, Mk 1:16-20)
  9. Jesus Teaches in the Synagogue at Capernaum (Mk 1:21-22, Lk 4:31-32)
  10. Jesus Removes An Unclean Spirit at Capernaum (Mk 1:23-28, Lk 4:33-37)
  11. Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law (Mk 1:29-31, Lk 4:38-39)
  12. Jesus Heals the Sick in the Evening (Mk 1:32-34, Lk 4:40-41)
  13. Jesus Departs from Capernaum (Mk 1:35-38, Lk 4:42-43)
  14. Jesus’ First Preaching Tour in Galilee (Mt 4:23, Mk 1:39, Lk 4:44)
  15. The Miraculous Catch of Fish (Lk 5:1-11)
  16. Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy (Mt 8:1-4, Mk 1:40-45, Lk 5:12-16)
  17. Jesus Heals a Paralytic (Mt 9:1-8, Mk 2:1-12, Lk 5:17-26, Jn 5:8-9a)
  18. Jesus Calls Levi (Matthew) (Mt 9:9-13, Mk 2:13-17, Lk 5:27-32)
  19. Jesus eats with Tax Collectors and Sinners (Mt 9:9-13, Mk 2:13-17, Lk 5:27-32)
  20. Fasting by Jesus and John the Baptist (Mt 3:4 Lk 4:2)
  21. Jesus is asked why his disciples do not fast (Mt 9:14-17, Mk 2:18-22, Lk 5:33-39)
  22. The Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath (Mt 12:1-8, Mk 2:23-28, Lk 6:1-5)
  23. Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand (Mt 12:9-14, Mk 3:1-6, Lk 6:6-11)
  24. Some Pharisees Plot To Kill Jesus (Mt 12:14)
  25. Jesus Heals Multitudes by the Sea (Mt 4:24-25, Mk 3:7-12, Lk 6:17-19)
  26. Jesus chooses Twelve Apostles (Mt 4:18-22)
  27. Preparing the Twelve Apostles (Mt 10:1-4, Mk 3:13-19, Lk 6:12-16)

Chapter 5: The Sermon On The Mount

  1. Jesus Preaches the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12, Mk 3:7-13a, Lk 6:17-23)
  2. Jesus tells His Disciples they are the Salt of the Earth (Mt 5:13, Mk 9:49-50, Lk 14:34-35)
  3. Jesus tells his disciples they are the Light of the World (Mt 5:14-16, Mk 4:21, Lk 8:16)
  4. Jesus Promises fulfilment On the Law and the Prophets (Mt 5:17-20, Lk 16:16-17)
  5. The Ten Commandments (Mt 5:17-20, Lk 16:16-17)
  6. Jesus On Murder and Anger (Mt 5:21-26, Lk 12:57-59)
  7. Jesus On Adultery and Divorce (Mt 5:27-32, Mk 9:43-48, Lk 16:18)
  8. Jesus on the Protection of Children (Mk 9:43-48)
  9. Jesus On Swearing and Oaths (Mt 5:33-37)
  10. Jesus On Retaliation (Mt 5:38-42, Lk 6:29-30)
  11. Jesus On Love of One’s Enemies (Mt 5:43-48, Lk 6:27-28)
  12. Jesus On Judging Others (Mt 6:32-36)
  13. Jesus On Almsgiving (Mt 6:1-4)
  14. Jesus Teaches the Lord’s Prayer (Mt 6:7-15, Mk 11:25, Lk 11:1-4)
  15. Jesus On Treasures (Mt 6:19-21, Lk 12:33-34)
  16. Jesus on the Eye – Light and Darkness (Mt 6:22-23, Lk 11:34-36)
  17. Jesus On Serving Two Masters (Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13)
  18. Jesus On Anxiety (Mt 6:25-34, Lk 12:22-32)
  19. Jesus On Judging (Mt 7:1-5, Mk 4:24-25, Lk 6:37-4)
  20. Jesus On Profaning the Holy (Mt 7:6)
  21. God’s Answering of Prayer (Mt 7:7-11, Lk 11:9-13)
  22. Jesus tells us: The Golden Rule (Mt 7:12, Lk 6:31)
  23. Jesus tells us to enter through the Narrow Gate (Mt 7:13-14, Lk 13:23-24)
  24. Jesus warns, beware of false Prophets – A Tree and its Fruits (Mt 7:15-20, Lk 6:43-45)
  25. Jesus on Judgement of Pretenders (Mt 7:21-23, Lk 6:46)
  26. Jesus on the Narrow Door (St Luke) (Lk 13:25-27)
  27. Jesus on the rock built house (Mt 7:24-27, Lk 6:47-49)
  28. Jesus and the Woes (Lk 6:24-26)
  29. Response to Jesus Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7:28-29, Mk 1:21-22)

Chapter 6: Jesus’ Ministry In Galilee (Part 2)

  1. Healing The Centurion’s Servant (Mt 8:5-13, Mk 7:30, Lk 7:1-10, Jn 4:46b-54)
  2. Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son from the dead at Nain (Lk 7:11-17)
  3. The Would-be Followers of Jesus (Mt 8:18-22, Lk 9:57-62)
  4. Jesus stills the storm (Mt 8:23-27, Mk 4:35-41, Lk 8:22-25)
  5. Jesus Casts Demons From Two Possessed Men (Mt 8:28-34, Mk 5:1-20, Lk 8:26-39)
  6. Jesus raises Jairus’ Daughter to Life (Mt 9:18-26, Mk 5:21-43, Lk 8:40-56)
  7. Jesus heals the woman with a haemorrhage (Mt 9:18-26, Mk 5:21-43, Lk 8:40-56)
  8. Jesus heals two blind men (Mt 9:27-31, Mk 10:46-52, Lk 18:35-43)
  9. Jesus heals a Dumb Demoniac (Mt 9:32-34, Mk 3:22, Lk 11:14-15)
  10. Jesus announces the plentiful Harvest but few workers (Mt 9:35-38, Mk 6:6b, Lk 8:1)
  11. Jesus Commissions the Twelve (Mt 10:1-16, Mk 6:7-11, 3:13-19, Lk 6:12-16, 9:1-6)
  12. Jesus Warns His Disciples Of Their Persecution (Mt 10:17-25, Mk 13:9-13, Lk 6:40, 2:11-12, Jn 13:16 )
  13. Jesus Warns – “Fear God Not Man” (Mt 10:26-32, Lk 12:2-9)
  14. Jesus Says – “I Have Not Come To Bring Peace But A Sword” (Mt 10:34-36, Lk 12:51-53)
  15. Jesus Says: “I have come to bring Fire” (Lk 12:49)
  16. Jesus announces His Conditions for Discipleship (Mt 10:37-39, Lk 14:25-27, Jn 12:25)
  17. Jesus describes the Rewards of Discipleship (Mt 10:40-42, Mk 9:41, Lk 10:16, Jn 13:20)
  18. John the Baptist’s Question and Jesus’ Answer (Mt 11:2-6, Lk 7:18-23)
  19. Jesus’ Witness concerning John the Baptist (Mt 11:7-19, Lk 7:24-35)
  20. Jesus thanks, His Father in Heaven (Mt 11:25-27, Lk 10:21-22)
  21. Jesus invites us to Come to Him (Mt 11:28-30)
  22. Jesus Heals Multitudes by the Sea (Mt 12:15-21, Mk 3:7-12, Lk 6:17-19)
  23. A Woman anoints the feet of Jesus (Mt 26:6-13, Mk 14:3-9, Lk 7:36-50, Jn 12:1-8)
  24. Jesus’ group of women helpers (Lk 8:1-3)
  25. Jesus is unable to eat due to large crowd (Mk 3:20-21)
  26. Experts In The Law Suggest Jesus Is Possessed (Mt 12:22-30, Mk 3:22-27, Lk 11:14-15, 11:17-23)
  27. Jesus warns of Sin against the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:31-37, Mk 3:28-30, Lk 11:10)
  28. Pharisees and Law Experts ask Jesus for a sign (Mt 12:38-42, Mk 8:11-12, Lk 11:16)
  29. Jesus explains the return of unclean spirits (Mt 12:43-45, Lk 11:24-26)
  30. Jesus highlights His true family relatives (Mt 12:46-50, Mk 3:31-35, Lk 8:19-21, Jn 15:14)
  31. Parable of the Sower by Jesus (Mt 13:1-9, Mk 4:1-9, Lk 8:4-8)
  32. Jesus explains why he speaks in parables (Mt 13:10-17, Mk 4:10-12, Lk 8:9-10)
  33. Parable of the Lamp (Mt 5:15, Mk 4:21-25, Lk 8:16-18)

Chapter 7: The Kingdom Of Heaven

  1. Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly (Mk 4:26-29)
  2. Parable of the Tares (Weeds) (Mt 13:24-30)
  3. Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mt 13:31-32, Mk 4:30-32, Lk 13:18-19)
  4. Parable of the Leaven (Yeast) (Mt 13:33, Lk 13:20-21)
  5. Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl (Mt 13:44-46)
  6. Parable of the Net (Mt 13:47-50)
  7. Parable of Treasures New and Old (Mt 13:51-52)

Chapter 8: Jesus’ Ministry In Galilee (Part 3)

  1. Jesus Heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda (Jn 5:2-47)
  2. The Return of the Apostles (Mk 6:30-3, Lk 9:10a)
  3. Jesus feeds five thousand (Mt 14:13-21, Mk 6:32-44, Lk 9:10b-17, Jn 6:1-15)
  4. Jesus walks on water (Mt 14:22-33, Mk 6:45-52, Jn 6:16-21)
  5. Jesus heals at Gennesaret (Mt 14:34-36, Mk 6:53-56, Jn 6:22-25)
  6. Jesus Says:- I Have Come To Do The Will Of My Father (Jn 5:26-59)
  7. Jesus Says: – I am the Bread of Life (Jn 5:26-39)
  8. Jesus: – Breaking Jewish Traditions (Mt 15:1-9, Mk 7:1-23, Lk 11:37-41)
  9. Jesus explains what Defiles a Person (Mt 15:10-20, Mk 7:1-23, Lk 11:37-41)
  10. Jesus shows mercy to a Canaanite Woman (Mt 15:21-28, Mk 7:24-30)
  11. Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute (Mt 15:29-31, Mk 7:31-37)
  12. Jesus feeds four thousand (Mt 15:32-39, Mk 8:1-10)
  13. Jesus Warns Of The Yeast Of The Pharisees (Mt 16:5-12, Mk 8:14-21, Lk 12:1)
  14. Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida (Mk 8:22-26)

Chapter 9: The Way To The Cross

  1. Many Disciples Take Offence at Jesus (Jn 6: 60-66)
  2. Peter’s Confesses to Jesus at Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16: 16-20, Mk 8: 27-30, Lk 9: 18-21, Jn 6: 67-71)
  3. Jesus Foretells His Passion(Mt 16: 21-23, Mk 8:31-33, Lk 9: 22)
  4. Jesus – “If Any Man would Come after Me” (Mt 16: 24-28, Mk 8: 34-9: 1, Lk 9: 23-27, Jn 12: 25)
  5. The Transfiguration of Jesus (Mt 17: 1-9, Mk 9: 2-10, Lk 9: 28-36)
  6. Jesus explains the Coming of Elijah (Mt 17: 10-13, Mk 9: 11-13)
  7. Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit (Mt 17: 14-21, Mk 9: 14-29, Lk 9: 37-43a & 17:6)
  8. Jesus Foretells His Passion once again (Mt 17: 22-23, Mk 9: 30-32, Lk 9: 43b-45)
  9. Jesus’ Payment of the Temple Tax (Mt 17: 24-27)
  10. Jesus describes True Greatness with the help of a child (Mt 18: 1-5, Mk 9: 33-37, Lk 9: 46-48, Jn 13: 20)
  11. Man casting out demons in Jesus’ Name (Mt 10: 42, Mk 9: 38-41, Lk 9: 49-50)
  12. Jesus warns against Temptations (Mt 18: 6-9 & 5: 13, Mk 9: 42-50, Lk 17: 1-2 & 14: 34-35)
  13. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Mt 18: 10-14, Lk 15: 3-7)
  14. Jesus On Reproving One’s Brother (Mt 18: 15-18 Lk 17: 3, Jn 20:23)
  15. Jesus “Where Two or Three are Gathered Together” (Mt 18: 19-20)
  16. Jesus On Reconciliation (Mt 18: 21-22 Lk 17: 4)
  17. Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Mt 18: 23-35)

Chapter 10: Jesus’ Last Journey To Jerusalem (St Luke)

  1. Jesus Plans To Go To Jerusalem – Rejection By Samaritans (Mt 19: 1-2, Mk 10: 1, Lk 9: 51-56)
  2. Jesus commissions Seventy-two (Mt 9: 37-38 & 10: 7-16, Lk 10: 1-12)
  3. The Seventy-two return to celebrate with Jesus (Lk 10: 17-20)
  4. Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10: 29-33)
  5. Mary and Martha (Lk 10: 38-42)
  6. The Importunate Friend at Midnight (Lk 11: 5-8)
  7. True Blessedness (Lk 11: 27-28)
  8. Jesus Warns Against Greed For Wealth (Lk 12: 13-15)
  9. Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:16-21)
  10. Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – Repentance or Destruction (Lk 13: 1-9)
  11. Healing of a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath (Lk 13: 10-17)
  12. A Warning against Herod (Lk 13:31-33)
  13. Healing of the Man with Dropsy (Lk 14: 1-6)
  14. Jesus’ Teaching on Humility (Lk 14: 7-14)
  15. Parable of the Lost Coin (Lk 15: 8-10)
  16. Parable of the Prodigal Son and his Brother (Lk 15: 11-32)
  17. Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Lk 16: 1-9)
  18. Jesus On Faithfulness in What is Least (Lk 16: 10-12)
  19. The Pharisees Reproved (Lk 16: 14-15)
  20. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31)
  21. Attitude Of A Servant (Lk 17: 7-10)
  22. Cleansing of the Ten Lepers (Lk 17: 11-19)
  23. Jesus on the Coming of the Kingdom of God (Lk 17: 20-21)
  24. Parable of the Widow and Unjust Judge (Lk 18: 1-8)
  25. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18: 9-14)

Chapter 11: Jesus At The Feast Of Tabernacles (St John)

  1. Jesus Remains in Galilee (Jn 7: 1-9)
  2. Jesus’ Secret Journey to Jerusalem (Jn 7: 10-13)
  3. Jesus Teaching in the Temple (Jn 7: 14-39)
  4. Division among the People regarding Jesus (Jn 7: 40-52)
  5. The Woman Caught in Adultery (Jn 7: 53 – 8: 11)
  6. Jesus says, “I am the Light of the World” (Jn 8: 12-20)
  7. Jesus’ Discussion with the Jews (Jn 8: 21-29)
  8. Jesus Says, “The Truth will Make You Free” (Jn 8: 30-36)
  9. Children of the Devil (Jn 8: 37-47)
  10. Jesus Says, “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn 8: 48-59)
  11. Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind (Jn 9: 1-41)
  12. Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” (Jn 10: 1-18)
  13. Division among the Jews again (Jn 10: 19-21)

Chapter 12: Jesus’ Ministry In Judea

  1. Jesus on Marriage and Divorce (Mt 19: 3-12, Mk 10: 2-12, Lk 16: 18)
  2. Jesus Blesses the Children (Mt 19: 13-15, Mk 10: 13-16, Lk 18: 15-17)
  3. Jesus And The Rich Young Man (Mt 19: 16-22, Mk 10: 17-22, Lk 18: 18-23)
  4. Jesus On Rich and the Rewards of Discipleship (Mt 19: 23-30, Mk 10: 23-31, Lk 18: 24-30 & 22: 28-30)
  5. Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Mt 20: 1-16, Mk 10: 31, Lk 13: 30)
  6. Jesus at the Feast of Dedication (Jn 10: 22-39)
  7. Jesus Withdraws across the Jordan (Jn 10: 40-42)
  8. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11: 1-44)
  9. Chief Priests and Pharisees Take Counsel against Jesus (Jn 11: 45-53)
  10. Jesus Retires to Ephraim (Jn 11: 54-57)
  11. Jesus predicts His Passion, a third time (Mt 20: 17-19, Mk 10: 32-34, Lk 18: 31-34)
  12. Jesus and the Sons of Zebedee; First among the Disciples (Mt 20;20-28, Mk 10: 35-45, Lk 22: 24-27)
  13. Jesus Heals the Blind Man Bartimaeus (Mt 20: 29-34 & 9: 27-31, Mk 10: 46-52, Lk 18: 35-43)
  14. The Anointing at Bethany By Mary (1) (Mt 26: 6-13, Mk 14: 3-9, Lk 7: 36-50, Jn 12: 1-8)
  15. The Plot against Lazarus (Jn 12: 9-11)

Chapter 13: Jesus’ Final Ministry In Jerusalem

  1. The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mt 21: 1-9, Mk 11: 1-10, Lk 19: 28-40, Jn 12: 12-19)
  2. Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem (Lk 19: 41-44)
  3. Jesus Cleanses the Temple in Jerusalem (Mt 21: 10-17, Mk 11: 11; 15-17, Lk 19: 45-46)
  4. Jesus Curses a Fig Tree (Mt 21: 18-19, Mk 11: 12-14)
  5. Jesus cleanses the Temple a second time (Mt 21: 12-13, Mk 11: 15-17, Lk 19: 45-46)
  6. The Chief Priests and Scribes Conspire against Jesus (Mk 11: 18-19, Lk 19: 47-48)
  7. The Question about Jesus’ Authority (Mt 21: 23-27, Mk 11: 27-33, Lk 20: 1-8)
  8. Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21: 28-32)
  9. Parable of the Landowner (Mt 21: 33-46, Mk 12:1-12, Lk 20: 9-19)
  10. Parable of the Great Wedding Dinner (Mt 22: 1-14 Lk 14: 15-24)
  11. Jesus on Paying Tribute to Caesar (Mt 22: 15-22, Mk 12: 13-17, Lk 20: 20-26)
  12. The Question about the Resurrection (Mt 22: 23-33, Mk 12: 18-27, Lk 20: 27-40)
  13. The Greatest Commandment (Mt 22: 34-40, Mk 12: 28-34, Lk 10: 25-28)
  14. The Question about David’s Son (Mt 22: 41-46, Mk 12: 37-37a, Lk 20: 41-44)
  15. Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees (Mt 23: 1-36, Mk 12: 37b-40, Lk 20: 45-47)
  16. Jesus on His way to Jerusalem (Mt 23: 37-39, Lk 13: 34-35)
  17. The Poor Widow’s Gift of two Mites (Mk 12: 41-44, Lk 21: 1-4)

Chapter 14: The Olivet Discourse

  1. Prediction of the Destruction of the Temple (Mt 24: 1-2, Mk 13: 1-2, Lk 21: 5-6)
  2. Signs before the End of the World (Mt 24: 3-8, Mk 13: 3-8, Lk 21: 7-11)
  3. Persecutions Foretold (Mt 24: 9-14 & 10: 17-22a, Mk 13: 9-13, Lk 21: 12-19)
  4. False Christs and False Prophets (Mt 24: 23-28, Mk 13: 21-23, Lk 17: 23-24, 37b)
  5. The Coming of the Son of Man (Mt 24: 29-31, Mk 13: 24-27, Lk 21: 25-28)
  6. The Time of the Coming: Parable of the Fig Tree (Mt 24: 32-36, Mk 13: 28-32, Lk 21: 29-33)
  7. Take Heed, Watch! (Mt 24: 42; 25: 13-15, Mk 13: 33-37, Lk 19: 12-1; 12: 40; 21: 34-36)

Chapter 15: Jesus’ Ministry Before His Passion

  1. Parable of the Flood and Call to Watchfulness (Mt 24: 37-44, Mk 13: 35, Lk 17: 26-36; 12: 39-40)
  2. Parable of the Good Servant and the Wicked Servant (Mt 24: 45-51, Lk 12: 41-46)
  3. Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt 25: 1-13)
  4. Parable of the Talents (Mt 25: 14-30, Mk 13: 34, Lk 19: 11-29)
  5. The Last Judgment (Mt 25: 31-46, Jn 5: 29)
  6. The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 21: 37-38)
  7. Greeks Seek Jesus; His Hour had come (Jn 12: 20-36)
  8. The Unbelief of the People (Jn 12: 37-43)
  9. Judgment by the Word (Jn 12: 44-50)
  10. The Anointing of Jesus’ Feet by Mary (2) (Mt 26: 6-13, Mk 14: 3-9, Lk 7: 36-50, Jn 12: 1-8)

Chapter 16: The Last Supper

  1. (Timeline of Holy Week)
  2. Jesus’ Death is Premeditated (Mt 26: 1-5, Mk 14: 1-2, Lk 22: 1-2)
  3. The Betrayal by Judas (Mt 26: 14-16, Mk 14: 10-11, Lk 22: 3-6)
  4. Preparation for the Passover (Mt 26: 17-20, Mk 14: 12-17, Lk 22: 7-14)
  5. Washing the Disciples’ Feet (Mt 10: 24, 40, Lk 6: 40, Jn 13: 1-20)
  6. Jesus Foretells His Betrayal (Mt 26: 21-25, Mk 14: 18-21, Lk 22: 21-23, Jn 13: 21-30)
  7. The Last Supper (Mt 26: 26-29, Mk 14: 22-25, Lk 22: 15-20)
  8. Jesus Glorified, New Commandment of Love (Jn 13: 31-35)
  9. Jesus Predicts Peters denial (Mt 26:30-35, Mk 14: 26-31, Lk 22: 31-34, Jn 13: 36-38)

Chapter 17: Jesus’ Last Supper Messages

  1. The Two Swords (Lk 22: 35-38)
  2. “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled” (Jn 14: 1-14)
  3. The Promise of the Holy Spirit (Jn 14: 15-26)
  4. The Gift of Peace (Jn 14: 27-31)
  5. Jesus the True Vine (Jn 15: 1-8)
  6. Jesus said, “Abide in My Love” (Jn 15: 9-17)
  7. The World’s Hatred (MtJn 15: 18-25)
  8. The Witness of the Holy Spirit (Jn 15: 26-27)
  9. Jesus On Persecutions (Jn 16: 1-4)
  10. The Work of the Holy Spirit (MJn 16: 5-15)
  11. Sorrow Turned to Joy (Jn 16:16-22)
  12. Prayer in the Name of Jesus (Jn 16: 23-28)
  13. Prediction of the Disciples’ Flight (Jn 16: 29-33)
  14. The Intercessory Prayer (Jn 17: 1-26)

Chapter 18: The Passion And Death Of Jesus

  1. Jesus In The Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36-46, Mk 14: 32-42, Lk 22: 39-46, Jn 18: 1, 12: 27)
  2. Jesus Is Arrested (Mt 26: 46-56, Mk 14: 43-52, Lk 22: 47-53, Jn 18: 2-12)
  3. Jesus Before Annas (Mt 26: 56-68, Mk 14: 53-65, Lk 22: 54-71, Jn 18: 13-24)
  4. Jesus Before Caiaphas (Mt 26: 57-68, Mk 14: 53-65, Lk 22: 54-71, Jn 18: 13-24)
  5. Peter’s Denial (Mt 26: 69-75, Mk 14: 66-72, Lk 22: 56-62, Jn 18: 25-27)
  6. Jesus is Delivered to Pilate (Mt 27: 1-2, Mk 15: 1, Lk 23: 1, Jn 18: 28)
  7. The Death of Judas (Mt 27: 3-10)
  8. Jesus’ Trial before Pilate (Mt 27: 11-14, Mk 15: 2-5, Lk 23: 2-5, Jn 18: 29-38)
  9. Jesus’ Trial before Herod (Lk 23: 6-12)
  10. Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent (Lk 23: 13-16)
  11. Pilate’s Questioning of Jesus: “Behold The Man” (Mt 27: 28-31a, Mk 15: 17-20a, Jn 19: 1-15)
  12. Jesus or Barabbas? (Mt 27: 15-23, Mk 15: 6-14, Lk 23: 17-23, Jn 18: 39-40)
  13. Pilate Delivers Jesus to be Crucified (Mt 27: 24-26, Mk 15: 15, Lk 23: 24-25, Jn 19: 16)
  14. Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers (Mt 27: 27-31a, Mk 15: 16-20a, Jn 19: 2-3)
  15. Jesus’ Road to Golgotha (Mt 27: 31b-32, Mk 15: 20b-21, Lk 23: 26-32, Jn 19: 17)
  16. Jesus’ Crucifixion (Mt 27: 33-37, Mk 15: 22-26, Lk 23: 33-34, Jn 19: 17b-27)
  17. Jesus Derided on the Cross (Mt 27: 38-43, Mk 15: 27-32a, Lk 23: 35-38)
  18. The Two Thieves (Mt 27:44, Mk 15: 32b, Lk 23: 39-43)
  19. The Death of Jesus (Mt 27: 45-54, Mk 15: 33-39, Lk 23: 44-48, Jn 19: 28-30)
  20. Witnesses of Jesus’ Crucifixion (Mt 27: 55-56, Mk 15: 40-41, Lk 23: 49, Jn 19: 25-27)
  21. Jesus’ Side Pierced (Jn 19: 31-37)
  22. The Burial of Jesus (Mt 27: 57-61, Mk 15: 42-47, Lk 23: 50-56, Jn 19: 38-42)
  23. The Guard at Jesus’ Tomb (Mt 27: 62-66)

Chapter 19: The Resurrection Of Jesus

  1. The Women at the Tomb (Mt 28: 1-10, Mk 16: 1-8, Lk 24: 1-12, Jn 20: 1-13)
  2. Jesus Appears To Mary Magdalene (Mt 28: 1-10, Mk 16: 1-11, Lk 24:1-12, Jn 20: 1-18)
  3. Jesus Appears To Mary Magdalene And Mary (Mt 28: 1-10, Mk 16: 1-11, Lk 24: 1-12, Jn 20: 1-18)
  4. The Report of the Guards (Mt 28: 11-15)
  5. Jesus Appears to Two on the Road to Emmaus (Mk 16: 12-13, Lk 24: 13-35)
  6. Jesus Appears to Simon Peter (Lk 24: 34, Corinthians (1) 15: 4-8)
  7. Jesus Appears to His Apostles (Thomas Absent) (Lk 24: 36-43, Jn 20: 19-23)
  8. Jesus Rebukes The Apostles As They Eat (Mk 16: 14-18)
  9. Jesus Appears to His Apostles (Thomas Present) (Jn 20: 24-27)
  10. Jesus Appears To Seven Disciples By The Sea Of Tiberias (Jn 21: 1-14)
  11. Jesus Appears To The Eleven On A Mountain In Galilee (Mt 28: 16-20)
  12. Summary of Jesus’ Appearances
  13. Jesus’ Last Words And Ascension (Mk 16: 15-19, Lk 24: 50-53, Acts 1: 1-11)

Chapter 20: Early Spread Of Gospel By Apostles

  1. Appointment Of Matthias (Acts 1: 12-26)
  2. Descent Of The Holy Spirit – Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-13)
  3. Simon Peter’s Sermon And The Crowd’s Reaction (Acts 2: 14-41)
  4. Healing Of A Lame Beggar (Acts 3: 1-26)
  5. Arrest And Trial Of Peter And John (Acts 4: 1-22)
  6. Judgment Of Ananias And Sapphira (Acts 5: 1-11)
  7. Further Trouble For The Apostles (Acts 5: 17-42)
  8. Appointment Of Seven Deacons (Acts 6: 1-7)
  9. Stephen’s Arrest (Acts 6: 8-15)
  10. Stephen’s Trial And Martyrdom (Acts 7: 1-60)
  11. Stephen’s Burial & Paul’s Persecution (Acts 8: 1-3)
  12. Philip Preaches In Samaria (Deacon) (Acts 8: 4-40)
  13. Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8: 26-40)
  14. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9: 1-22)
  15. Paul’s First Return to Jerusalem (Acts 9: 23-31)
  16. Peter Heals Aeneas (Acts 9: 32-35)
  17. Peter Raises Dorcas (Tabitha) (Acts 9: 36-43)
  18. Peter Visits Cornelius (Acts 10: 1-48)
  19. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 11: 1-18; 15: 1-35)
  20. Death Of James The Apostle (Acts 12: 1-2)
  21. Arrest And Imprisonment Of Peter (Acts 12: 3-25)

Chapter 21: Paul’s Missionary Journeys

  1. Paul’s First Journey With Barnabas (Acts 13: 1 – 14: 28)
  2. Paul’s Second Journey With Silas (Acts 15: 36 – 18: 32)
  3. Paul’s Third Journey With Timothy (Acts 18: 24 – 20: 38)

Chapter 22: Paul’s Return To Jerusalem & Imprisonment in Caesarea

  1. Paul’s Arrest In Jerusalem (Acts 18: 24 – 20: 38)
  2. Paul’s Trial In Jerusalem (Acts 22: 1 – 23: 11)
  3. Plot To Kill Paul (Acts 23: 12-35)
  4. Paul’s Imprisonment And Trial By Felix (Acts 24: 1 – 26: 32)

Chapter 23: Paul’s Journey To Rome And Imprisonment

  1. Paul’s Imprisonment And Trial By Festus (Acts 25: 1 – 26: 32)
  2. Paul Is Shipwrecked (Acts 27: 1-44)
  3. Paul In Malta (Acts 28: 1-10)
  4. Paul’s Arrival In Rome (Acts 28: 11-15)
  5. Paul’s Imprisonment In Rome (Acts 28: 16-28)
  6. Paul’s Final Missionary Journey And Death (Acts 28: 25-31)

Chapter 24: Miscellaneous

  1. Fate Of The Twelve Apostles & Matthias
  2. Twenty-five Old Testament Prophecies About Jesus

(Note: The order in which these New Testament stories are presented, from Chapter 2 to 19, represent an approximate timeline of events in Jesus’ ministry; Biblical Scholars views vary.)

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God’s Chosen

Question: Why not me?

Some of the famous people in the Bible seem unlikely choices to do God’s work – but they were chosen! If they were, why not you and me?

Noah was a drunk, Abraham too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stutter, Samson had long hair and was a womaniser, Jeremiah was too young, King David was an adulterer and a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Jacob was a bankrupt, Peter denied Christ, all the disciples fell asleep while praying (and ran away when Jesus was arrested), Martha was a worrier, Zacchaeus was too small, Timothy had an ulcer, Paul arrested and approved of the killing of Christians, and Lazarus was dead.

That’s an unusual journey through the Bible, to remind us how frail we all are. We need each other, in love and in encouragement, and we need to acknowledge that all our blessings come from God to be shared with others. From our weaknesses, we strengthen one another. God wants us to need each other.

Today is the Church’s World Communication Day. Here is a prayer given by the bishops that we can pray together:

“Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Help us to recognise the evil in communication that does not build communion, to remove the venom from our judgements, to speak about others as our brothers and sisters. “You, O God, are faithful and trustworthy. May our words be seeds of goodness for the world: where there is shouting let us practice listening; where there is confusion let us inspire harmony; where there is ambiguity let us bring clarity; where there is exclusion let us offer solidarity; where there is superficiality let us raise real questions; where there is prejudice let us awaken trust; where there is hostility let us bring respect and friendliness, where there is falsehood let us bring truth.”

Fr John
(13th May 2018)

Related Links: Popular Reads and Fr John’s Parish Newsletters

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Interpreting Bible Teachings

Holy Bible

The Book of Genesis (“Book of the Beginnings”) is the first book of the Bible. It opens with a poem imagining God creating the world over the course of a working week, and resting on the seventh day.

Scholars guide us to discern three separate traditions blended in the opening five books of the Bible, and we thus understand the repetition of certain events and the different stories relating to the same truths.

Scholars call the opening eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis “myth” – story revealing religious truth: but many sincere people do not accept these are stories but believe they are literally true, even amazing as the details are. That is the fundamental question of the Bible: do we accept it as literally true in its detail and circumstance, or do we interpret the teaching of the Bible according to our different understandings and varying circumstances?

Last week I summarised an approach to reading the opening chapters: the first three are about man and woman, a universal story. We are descended from man and woman, as we see in every generation of world history. We are not descended from Adam and Eve whose story begins in chapter four, in exile, outside the Garden of Eden. They have a child, Cain, who grows up to be a murderer – a horrifying beginning to the human story.

When God exiles Cain for killing his brother, Abel, Cain travels east of Eden to the land of Nod, and there marries a local woman. So there are other people on earth, Adam and Even and Cain (and Abel) are not the only ones. The Bible does not teach we are descended from Adam and Eve, but from the man and woman of the first chapters.

When God regrets creating the human race the Flood comes, Noah and his family the only human beings to survive. So the Bible teaches we are descended from Noah. Noah has three sons and curses Ham for mocking him, condemning him and his children to be slaves of the brother Sem and Japheth, thus justifying slavery in the eyes of the Christian Churches down the centuries.

Only at the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s did the Catholic Church condemn the institution of slavery. The Bible approves slavery, capital punishment, revenge, conquest in the name of God. Should we? The Synod of the Church of England has highlighted divisions in how to read or interpret the Bible on sexual relations. How do we?

God bless us to be true to the Word,

Fr John
(26th February 2017)

Related Links: Popular Reads and Fr John’s Parish Newsletters