Scripture with the Fathers

The Beatitudes of Matthew 5 are foreshadowed by Jacob in his dealings not only with Laban, but more manifest in how he approaches his brother Esau. Jacob's virtue of Meekness earns him the favor of the brother that once desired his death.

We gain further modern insight from Archbishop Fulton Sheen about the Temptations of Jesus Christ. Sheen gives us a take how Satan uses the same tactic in our age through the same temptations he presented to Christ. We learn how Christ resists these temptations. We complete the consideration through the second temptation.

We delve into Chapter 32 of Genesis through the eyes of St. John Chrysostom and St. Cyril of Alexandria. We see the Virtues of Jacob who valued relationship with his brother much more than worldly possessions. Jacob sees God, in so much as it is possible to see God this side of Heaven is a foreshadowing of Christ coming as a man.

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness... Yes the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness into solitude and fasting, after which the devil tempted Him. In this episode we look at the first temptation and the players involved; Jesus the God-man, and Satan. What motivates Satan to tempt? Why does he hate human beings? Does he know Jesus is God? We explore this in this episode and some guidance...

No sooner than Laban, who had been afer Jacob to overtake him and intending to do him harm, but ends peaceably, does Jacob have to contend with Esau. Jacob sends presents to Esau and wrestles with God. In doing so, Jacob becomes Israel, because he had contended with God, (not against) and prevailed.

Jacob leaves Laban, but Laban, loosing his "lucky charm" doesn't take kindly to it. Jacob notes that his success is from God. God protects Jacob and from Laban's rage by speaking to both through dreams. We see that Jacob, by being a virtuous man, gains the protection of God. Jacob acts with prudence, and while absorbing the 20 years of abuse from Laban (Laban changes his wages ten times) finally r...

Why was it fitting for Jesus to be Baptised since he had no sin? What does Baptism actually do? Was the Baptism of John the same as the Baptism Jesus institutes through His Church? We look to Chrysostom, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to answer these questions.

Who was John the Baptist and why was he there is the wilderness? We look into the life of John the Baptist and discover his theological training in the documents known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Why should we read about a shepherd 4300 years ago? Why is this story and other like it in Scripture? What can we, in the 21st Century gain in wisdom from reading about a man with four wives, sheep and goats? Initially the story gives us the lineage for the Christ, but there is more, much more...

We learn of the Holy Innocents and how St. Augustine sees them as martyrs for Christ and relates this to infant baptism, which the Church had always done. Jesus returns to Egypt and returns to Israel, but uses prudence in returning to Nazareth, even though his home town was Bethlehem. What is a Nazarene? Looking to Numbers and other passages in the Old Testament to understand what this means in re...

We continue with St. Cyril of Alexandria relating the Scripture to the Spiritual meaning and in doing so point us to the Figure of Christ, the Divine shepherd and Bridegroom.

Leah and Rachel engage in a tit for tat competition for the affection of their husband Jacob. In the process Jacob fathers what will come to be the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. While polygamy was tolerated for a time for the purposes of progeny, this family situation illustrates the inherent problem with multiple wives, which was eventually rooted out of society as an evil practice tha...

What would and why would Herod be afraid of a child newly born? How does he respond to this fear? The Gentile Magi, once having an encounter with Jesus, departs and return by another way. Why is this important? How did they know to search out the Christ, and how do they know not to return by another way?

We listen to Chapter 2 of the Gospel of Matthew and look into the Old Testament to Micah and Jeremiah as noted by Matthew. We read from the Church Fathers, Ambrose, Jerome and Augustine and Gregory the Great to explore who Herod was and how he came to power. The Fathers give us insight into who were the Magi and where they came from.

We hear from St. John Chrysostom and St. Augustine and define some terms and look at the virtue of Jacob even in light of polygamy. How Jacob is lovingly engages in heavy manual labor, despite of his nature for the desire of his love of Rachel.

The magi come searching for the King of the Jews, but how did they know to search for the king of the Jews? Why is Herod and all of jerusalem "greatly troubled?" We look to the Old Testament to discover the prophecy of the Davidic King being a priest king, and the time in which the Messiah was to arrivve on the scene.

Jacob continues on his journey to Laban and meets Rachel at the well. Jacob works for Laban for the bride price of Rachel and Leah. We look to St. John Chrysostom for our understanding of this text and see the foreshadowing of a scene in the Gospels.

Is there a Scriptural basis for the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Mother? How is it possible that mary remained a virgin and St. Joseph remain chaste during their married state? We consider the works of St. Jerome, and Psedo-Chrysostom and explore both Old Testament and New Testament excerpts to refute the idea that the words "until" and "know" indicate a change in status...

Esau's anger at his brother Jacob morph's into a plot to kill him. Jacob's mother Rebekah petitions to Isaac to have Jacob sent away to save his life and to gain a wife. The Father St. John Chrysostom's commentary gives great insight and we see the Sermon on the mount explaining this event. Jacob's Ladder comes to fruition as Jesus calls Nathaniel a true Israelite.

St. Joseph the just man, and how that relates to Mary's Perpetual Virginity. St. Joseph the most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Mother. The Church Fathers describe St. Joseph's reverence in approaching the Blessed Mother whom he knew to be chaste. St. Joseph trembles in light of the tremendous task before him to be the steward of God's Masterpiece and His only begotten Son, the Savior of...

We turn to St. Augustine and St. Cyril of Alexandria for their interpretation of Jacob usurping the elder brother, Esau in obtaining the blessing. Was it guile or divine providence to point to a greater reality that would come to pass in Jesus Christ and His Church?

St. Joseph is described in the Gospel according to St. Matthew as a "Just or Righteous Man." But how is that so, considering that St. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly. Jesus prohibited divorce, and in Malachi 2:16, it is written that "For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel,"

Jacob lives up to his name as the usurper by obtaining the blessing from Isaac. Rebekah insures that Jacob obtains the blessing from Isaac and foreshadows how the Queen mother of the Davidic Kingdom is the one person who determines heirship of the king.

Why the genealogy of Joseph although he was not the Father of Jesus? Augustine discusses the virginal birth, the Incarnation of the Divine Person and refutes certain Heresies that came up in the early history of the Church. We also begin the discussion of betrothal of Mary to Joseph.

Isaac follows in his father Abraham's footsteps and is blessed by God for the sake of Abraham his father and is blessed abundantly. Esau's carnal character is further displayed.