Voyage | Book of Revelation & Genesis | Shalom World

Abram had to wait 13 years before God would reveal Himself to him again, and God says to him: “I am El Shaddai.” In Chapter 17 of the Book of Genesis, we see that God restarts the relationship with Abraham despite the mistakes Abraham makes; Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains that God is very patient even though we have stopped being patient with Him. God reveals who He is to Abram and...

The Book of Genesis portrays a shift in Abram's character between Chapters 15 and 16; he goes from being a man of God to an ordinary human being of his time. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains that despite receiving an extraordinary message from God that he will have a child with Sarah, his actions indicate a lack of trust in God. Abraham didn't obey God and didn't consult Him before t...

Abraham's faith in God was a significant advancement for humanity. In Chapter 15 of the Book of Genesis, God asks for a sign of Abram's willingness to be cleansed and brought closer to Him. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains that each animal sacrifice (heifer, goat, ram, dove, and pigeon) symbolizes a different offering to God, representing cleansing, sin, consecration, and peace.  Sai...

Chapter 14 introduces the first war in the Bible and marks a significant change from the previous chapters. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan highlights the human race's deterioration, the rise of tyrants, and Abram's status as a prince with allies. Abram won the first war because God was with him and because he did not hold any resentment against Lot for his previous actions. The chapter also...

Chapter 12 Verses 10 to 20 of the Book of Genesis recount Abram's remarkable journey to Egypt. At the time of Abram, people had very little control over their free will, as noted by Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan. Although Abram was called and blessed by God, he did not rely on God for help during his journey. In Chapter 13 of Genesis, we learn about the relationship between Abram and his n...

Coming into Chapter 12 of the Book of Genesis, we see the call of Abram; Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains the first appearance of God and how this is the beginning of something new. When we have a personal relationship with God and walk with Him, He is always doing something new, and we never feel staled or bored. God's will is eternal, expressed perfectly by His Son Jesus in the “Ou...

We delve into the story of the Tower of Babel described in Chapter 11 of the Book of Genesis and its significance in the rise of Abraham. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explores how Satan misled the people into idolatry and rebellion against God, and how God's response to this was to disperse them across the earth. We also see the importance of unity and how it relates to understanding the...

We explore the biblical account of the descendants of Noah and the tragic consequences of human pride and rebellion against God as written in Chapters 9, 10, and 11 of the Book of Genesis. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains that after the flood, Japheth, Ham, and Shem, the three sons of Noah, spread across different parts of the world. Noah's fall from grace and nakedness exposed the v...

The earth undergoes a cleansing by water, which lasted for forty days and nights, wiping out every creature except those present in the Ark. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan delves into Chapters 7, 8, and the first half of Chapter 9 of the Book of Genesis. God remembered and took care of the Ark and the preservation of those in the Ark, which shows us that all who enter the Church will be sav...

In this episode, Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan delves into Chapter 6 of the Book of Genesis. She explains the reason for the flood and the importance of the ark of Noah. It is revealed that there is much more to the ark than meets the eye. By asking Noah to build the ark, God shows that we can find refuge in dangerous times; we find refuge in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate He...

In this episode, Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan continues to explain Chapter 6 of the Book of Genesis. We see the state of the human race after the fall and how deeply their actions grieved God. Order was lost on earth, and the sons of God and daughters of men grew corrupt; all morality was broken down. These sins make it impossible for us to have a relationship with God. A reset of the ear...

People and events in the early books of the Bible can often point to people and events in the New Testament and very frequently to Jesus. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan gives us a few points of comparison between Abel and Jesus as she presents Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis. In Chapter 5, we see the span of time between Adam and Noah. Frances Hogan refers to the Ancient Book of Jasher and...

Throughout the Bible, we see two kinds of children - one “good” and the other “bad”. Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis gives us the story of Cain and Abel. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains what led Cain to sin against God and his brother and the consequences that followed. Abel’s sacrifice is accepted because, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. This does not...

We continue to explore the dialogue between God and Adam and Eve, who are now sinners, as written in Chapter 3 of the Book of Revelation. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains the judgment of God given to Adam and Eve. Neither Adam nor Eve said sorry to God; neither confessed the fact that they had disobeyed His will, therefore, neither of them repent. As a result of the fall, God has to...

As we continue in our reflections on Chapter 3 of the Book of Genesis, Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan wants to give us an analysis of what is said to us. The detailed dialogue between and the serpent reveals to us that it is easy to sin; we are to look at it, analyze it and not repeat it. This is the lesson that carries us through the entire Bible. Eve who has never experienced evil does no...

The journey of creation continues with Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan from Chapter 2 of the Book of Genesis. In this chapter, we get to see the image of God, the Abba, in terms of a potter working with clay. God doesn’t want to be a faraway source; He wants to be working with us. The Potter makes us in His image and His likeness. Man is then placed in the Garden of Eden, a King’s garden. Ob...

Two trees in the Garden of Eden are mentioned in Chapter 2 of the Book of Genesis, one the Tree of Life and the other the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains how we are introduced to choice and free will. We are also told that the Tree of Knowledge is an apple tree; this is a representation of human sexuality because it is the most fruitful tree....

We continue to look at the days of creation from Chapter 1 of the Book of Genesis with Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan. On the 6th day, God created man in His own image; we see that Adam is the “crown of creation” and he is made like God, in the image of God. He is created in innocence, grace, and the fullness of union with God. He appoints Adam as the lord of the earth and gives Adam domini...

The Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, lays down the foundation for all the other books in the Bible. The word Genesis comes from Bereshit which means “in the beginning”. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains how we can find the beginning of everything in this book. We have the beginnings of sin and temptation, the separation of light and darkness, a revelation of God’s mercy a...

In this final session of reflection on the Book of Revelation, Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan guides us through Chapter 22. To see God face to face has been the desire of humankind since the beginning and it comes to fruition here. The conclusion of this book and the Bible reveals to us that humanity can see the face of God in spite of all the trials and chastisements because that is what w...

The last few verses of Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation describe the condition of union with God that the people of the Holy City are living. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan helps us understand this magnificent vision of St. John. The city and the people had the Shekinah - the luminous presence of God. The streets are of pure gold but transparent as glass; this represents the pure light...

In our reflection on the Book of Revelation, today we continue to explore Chapter 21 with Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan. We read about the new Heavens and the new earth which will be the holy city, the new Jerusalem. When St. John was taken to see the harlot, he was taken to a spiritually desolate place. Now, that he is seeing the glory of God in man fully alive, he is taken to a very high...

In Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation, we see a declaration coming from the throne of God - He can make all things new. Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains St. John’s vision of God’s plan for salvation. Jesus has shown Himself as the Beginning and the End; with His reign, we see the end of the old church and the beginning of a new one. This is the vision of a New Jerusalem that will h...

In this final session of reflection on the Book of Revelation, Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan guides us through Chapter 22. To see God face to face has been the desire of humankind since the beginning and it comes to fruition here. The conclusion of this book and the Bible reveals to us that humanity can see the face of God in spite of all the trials and chastisements because that is what w...

We begin the most glorious part of the whole Bible which is the fulfillment of everything that God has promised from the beginning. Irish Scripture Scholar explains how everything that was prophesied before now comes to completion with the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation. The pattern in the book of Ezekiel and Daniel is the same as in the Book of Revelation and what St. John is tryi...