tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post114337912643512720..comments2022-04-27T23:07:59.833-04:00Comments on Conversi ad Dominum: Where Shall We Buy Bread?Fr John W Fentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01283787316830250866noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-1143517841071537762006-03-27T22:50:00.000-05:002006-03-27T22:50:00.000-05:00Ah, now I see what you're asking, Fred. In fact, y...Ah, now I see what you're asking, Fred. In fact, you're not so much asking as suggesting that the 40 days of the disciples with Christ in His resurrected, glorified body coincides with the 40 years of catechesis by the Children of Israel. They "shed," as it were, an entire generation while the disciples "shed," their little-faithness; although not entirely since there is still a hint of that in the question asked right before Jesus ascends (cf Acts 1). Hence, another 10 days is needed. Here 10 might refer to a time of additional "perfecting" until the fullness (i.e,. 50) is reached.<BR/><BR/>Now, you'll turn quickly and ask, "Where is this in the fathers?" Frankly, I've not looked. But it sounds so likely...Fr John W Fentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01283787316830250866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-1143497529634378972006-03-27T17:12:00.000-05:002006-03-27T17:12:00.000-05:00Thanks for answering my question. Rabbinic (Phara...Thanks for answering my question. Rabbinic (Pharasitic) scholarship from the time of the Macabees (300 or so years before Our Lord's Incarnation) had taught that the Children of Israel, upon leaving Egypt and entering their 40 year sojourn in Sinai, had been turned into a people who "did not know their Creator" and were therefore unworthy and unable to immediately enter the land and begin their purpose as God's Holy people. Their lack of faith in God and His Torah was demonstrated time-and-time again during the first year or so of their sojourn, culminating in the episode of the Golden Calf when their "period of exile" was fixed at forty years.<BR/><BR/>In God's mercy and wisdom, he therefore required His beloved people to sojourn for 40 years so that a new generation, untouched by slavery and the idolotry of Egypt, could grow up and learn to TRUST God, so they could worthily be His beloved nation. <BR/><BR/>Thus they, for those thirty-eight years or so, did nothing but study God's Word and the promise of His Son's imminent Incarnation, led by the Holy Spirit through the Elders of Israel (Caleb and Joshua in addition to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam). <BR/><BR/>Re-phrasing my question:<BR/><BR/>Did not the disciples (as evidenced by the betrayal of St. Peter, the doubting of Thomas, and the unbelief of the others) need to go through their own "40 years" of education and learning, led by the Ressurrected Lord Himself before they were seasoned enough to receive the Holy Spirit on Pentecost?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-1143467585984725212006-03-27T08:53:00.000-05:002006-03-27T08:53:00.000-05:00Fred,You've asked an intriguing question, but I wo...Fred,<BR/><BR/>You've asked an intriguing question, but I would need to understand more fully what is meant by the phrase "low level of attachment to and understanding of God." If that is akin to "little faith" or "faith that is not completely formed," then I would agree that the disciples, on the night of the Lord's betrayal, were such. The evidence could be found in a number of things, not least of which is the fact that they all forsook Him and fled after hearing, for several years, that this night would come.<BR/><BR/>And you are quite right: Our Lord sacramentally given in His flesh and blood is the answer to the "manna" question. This is among the chief things that He tries to impress upon the Jews in John 6.Fr John W Fentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01283787316830250866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-1143400112134859092006-03-26T14:08:00.000-05:002006-03-26T14:08:00.000-05:00Christ fulfills what the Children of Israel (who w...Christ fulfills what the Children of Israel (who were at a very low level of "attachment to and understanding of God" upon leaving Egypt) called the heavenly bread "mah-nah" (translated to English -- what I pray is it?). <BR/><BR/>May I surmise (and correct me if I'm wrong) that the disciples and those at the "Last Supper" were at the same low level of "attachment to and understanding of God" as the Children of Israel were upon leaving Egypt??? <BR/><BR/>However, now, God's heavenly bread was no longer a mystery and the Christians no longer needed to ask "what I pray is it?" Since now God had given them the answer and swore to provide His Heavenly bread to His children for all eternity -- it is indeed the Body of God!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com