2009 PASSIONIST CHARISM RESOURCES - Passionists

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Paul inherited aspects of this worldview that is also found in certain teachings of Jesus in the Gospels (see, for example, the sayings in Mark 13:1-37). Sometimes, Paul seems quite taken with this perspective and urges people to prepare for an imminent end of the world (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13—5:11). Now, some 2,000 years removed from Paul’s teaching, we realize that we do not know God’s timetable for bringing this world to its judgment day. The end does not seem as imminent as it was for Paul. We do not have the apocalyptic urgency that Paul sometimes expresses in his letters. It is one of those Jewish influences that were part of Paul’s world and that carried over into later Christian teaching. HELLENISM’S INFLUENCE Hellenism, the Greek cultural influence, was wide-ranging. It might be compared with the tremendous influence of English and American capitalism in our own day. For example, almost anywhere you go in the world today, someone there can usually speak English. Along with that goes the influence of American culture (McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Hollywood movies seem to be everywhere!), a mixed blessing for some people of other nationalities. Frankly, some in the local culture don’t appreciate the outside influence, even though others around them embrace it. In Paul’s day Koine Greek (common Greek) was the main language. He was obviously conversant in it—he wrote all his letters in this language. Along with language came the impact of Greek culture on daily life. Social and political institutions had their roots in Greece. Examples abound. For instance, the notion of the city-state and the importance of being a citizen of such a community likely influenced Paul’s language regarding the “body of Christ.” The gymnasium as a center for athletic contests and social interchange was another prominent Hellenistic institution. Paul was, no doubt, a sports fan. He uses considerable sports imagery in his letters (boxing, running the race, wrestling) to illustrate his message. Yet another influence was in the religious sphere. The Hellenistic world fostered an attraction to many different cults dedicated to pagan gods and goddesses. Paul clearly opposed such influences by emphasizing belief in one God, a characteristic of Jewish faith. It was this one God who, in the person of Jesus Christ, had come to save the world. Paul’s message focused much on the oneness of God in reaction to Greek polytheism. In short, Hellenistic language and culture had a huge impact on life in Paul’s day, whether for good or for ill, and his letters often reflect this background. CITIZEN OF ROME Finally, we cannot ignore the influence of the Roman Empire in Paul’s world. Rome was the ruling world power in the West. (Remember that inhabitants of Paul’s world were less aware at the time of such tremendous cultures as India and China in the East.) Paul himself was a Roman citizen. Rome’s power was felt in numerous ways. Most important, the world was basically at peace. The Pax Romana (Latin for, “Roman Peace”) meant that travel on the extensive Roman road system and in sleek ships was fairly safe from threat of criminal attack, though still always hazardous. Paul took advantage of this relative calm, utilizing this Roman transportation system when he went on his extensive apostolic journeys to preach the gospel. He went all over the eastern Mediterranean world, and journeyed to Rome itself. He planned to go to Spain, to the far western reaches of the empire, but was martyred in Rome. 44
Paul also uses his Roman citizenship to ensure a fair legal proceeding (Acts 22:25-27). Rome retained the ultimate political authority over life and death. Rome, then, was always in the background, a power that could not be ignored. APOSTLE TO OUR CULTURE Paul, like all of us, was a product of his era. To some degree, he believed that many influences in the surrounding culture were detrimental to the spiritual health of his communities. Yet, in other instances, Paul knew how to use common cultural images to good effect in order to get his message across to his audience. Perhaps that is the challenge of Paul to each of us today. He, who has shaped so much of our Christianity, challenges us to encounter our own culture bravely, with Christ as our guide. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., is Provincial of the Sulpician Fathers, former Professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, California, a prolific author, and a frequent contributor to American Catholic Radio. This Update is adapted from St. Paul: Called to Conve 45
Page 1 and 2: MAY THE PASSION OF JESUS BE ALWAYS
Page 3 and 4: 2009 PASSIONIST CHARISM RESOURCES S
Page 5 and 6: ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS PRIOR TO 1694
Page 7 and 8: • 1701 Paul joined the Confratern
Page 9 and 10: • When the will was read in the s
Page 11 and 12: • With the blessings of the Holy
Page 13 and 14: • During the first years on Mount
Page 15 and 16: • This approval made it possible
Page 17 and 18: • He keeps in close contact with
Page 19 and 20: 1750-1760 1750 OUR AFFAIRS ARE ASLE
Page 21 and 22: Consultors. Thomas of the Side of J
Page 23 and 24: • He suffers again and again from
Page 25 and 26: • Paul responds to the Bishop in
Page 27 and 28: • Through these letters Paul shar
Page 29 and 30: 1765 “ON OUR JOURNEY, THE SAYING
Page 31 and 32: • There is no word, however, of t
Page 33 and 34: • He was called back to Rome, so
Page 35 and 36: • Paul died 18 October 1775 BEYON
Page 37 and 38: • The previous work continued but
Page 39 and 40: St. Paul the Apostle Medieval Fresc
Page 41 and 42: movement of Jesus’ followers in J
Page 43: 1. Palestinian Judaism. Present in
Page 47 and 48: YEAR OF ST. PAUL REFLECTION SHEET B
Page 49 and 50: A Month With St. Paul the Apostle D
Page 51 and 52: 1. PAUL OF TARSUS (Pope Benedict XV
Page 53 and 54: Predecessor to this Apostolic See,
Page 55 and 56: echoing Jeremiah, Paul explains thi
Page 57 and 58: 3. PAUL - THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS
Page 59 and 60: Furthermore, however, it is also tr
Page 61 and 62: children, with whom I am again in t
Page 63 and 64: REFLECTIONS ON THE WRITINGS OF ST.
Page 65 and 66: REFLECTION 13 Read 1 Thessalonians
Page 67 and 68: OTHER RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR OF ST.
Page 69 and 70: The Seven Last Words 69
Page 71 and 72: 1. Forgive them, for they know not
Page 73 and 74: 3. Woman, Behold your Son! … Beho
Page 75 and 76: 5. I thirst (John 19:28) THE WORD O
Page 77 and 78: 7. Father, into your hands I commen
Page 79 and 80: The Sixth Sorrow: Mary received the
Page 81 and 82: HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR PRAYER Availa

2009 PASSIONIST CHARISM RESOURCES - Passionists

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