Bible and Catechism in a year: Day 8

Genesis 10-11

We have more genealogy tonight.  Lifespans are getting shorter (assuming that we are taking them literally) as they go on...I've heard some folks suggest that the super long life spans get shorter and shorter as original sin ravages the human body...but then levels out eventually.  I'm not sure if I buy that, or if it is more likely that the long ages are symbolic...but it is interesting to contemplate.

Then we get another famous Old Testament story:  The Tower of Babel.  This story appears to be dropped in between genealogies, and feels totally out of place.  It strikes me as a reminder of the fall...that when we humans decide that we can be like God, it gets us into trouble. 

Psalm 8
This is a beautiful Psalm of praise to God...nothing depressing here, just a beautiful expression of how David saw the Lord in all things.  What jumped out at me was the phrase "thou has founded a bulwark because of thy foes" - I am sure it is no accident that Paul refers to to the church as the "pillar and bulwark" of truth in first Timothy...

Matthew 6:1-18

We continue with the Sermon on the Mount with some very important passages regarding praying in secret, giving alms quietly, fasting without showing it, and forgiveness.  We also get the Our Father, which is of course the most perfect prayer.

We have to remember, though, that just because it is important to pray in private, that doesn't mean we can't pray together.  After all, later He will tell us that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there.


Catechism 50-53

We begin a new section discussing God's revelation.  Though we can know some things about God through reason, there are some things we simply can't know without revelation.  God chooses to share these things with us, so that we might better know Him.  That is, He comes down to us to reveal himself to us, since many truths about Him can not be sought from a natural perspective.  Further, he reveals himself to us a little at a time.  This is true from a historical perspective (thinking through all of Salvation History) and on a personal level (as I alluded to in my welcome message).  God comes to us gradually, because otherwise we just wouldn't be able to handle it at all...

Tomorrow's readings:

Genesis 12-13
Psalm 9
Matthew 6:19-34
Catechism 54-64

God Bless and Good Night!