|
|
|
St. Vincent de Paul |
| 18 Pleasant St. |
| Baldwinville, MA |
| (978) 939-8851 |
|
|
| 7/2/2000: Last week's question: Who were the Pharisees, so often mentioned in the Gospels? |
| Answer: The Pharisees were members of one of the three chief parties at the time of Jesus, the others being the Sadducees and the Esseries. The party originated less than 200 years before Jesus as a reaction against the inroads made by Hellenistic-culture among the Jews to the point where many of the Jews adopted Greek customs and fell away from the practice of their own religion. Many Pharisees were perfectly sincere and of the highest character. To the written law the Pharisees added, as having equal binding force, oral expositions of the Mosaic law, especially those by the great teaching rabbis. By the time of Jesus the Pharisees' religion had become external. The disposition of the heart was less important than the outward act. This caused them to disagree with many of Jesus' teachings which emphasized the heart over external acts. St. Paul in his young manhood was a very zealous Pharisee. |
| This week's question: Who were the Sadducees, mentioned in the Gospels? (Answer next week) |
|
6/25/2000: Last week’s question: Which liturgical roles can an ordained deacon perform? Which roles can be performed only by an ordained priest? Answer: An ordained deacon can serve as deacon of the Mass, preach God’s Word, distribute Communion at Mass, preside at Communion Services, and bring Communion to the sick and shut-in as well as Viaticum to the dying. He can also baptize, officiate at and bless marriages and conduct burial rites. Only an ordained priest can preside at Mass (consecrating the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ), hear confessions and give absolution, and anoint the sick and elderly. This week’s question: Who were the Pharisees, so often mentioned in the Gospels? (Answer next week)
|