Catholic tradition comes from Judaism and comes out of Judaism. The Catholic
faith stands on the shoulders of giants.
Judaism has its Torah but it also has its wonderful commentaries. Judaism would
be in great deficit without its traditions and commentaries by such greats as
Rabbi Akiva, Rashi, Maimonides, Rambam and Ramban, Ibn Ezra, and Abravanel.
These are among my favorites and an absolute delight to the mind with every
Sabbath portion.
Judaism is RICH. Too many Jewish texts all at once and I can easily get
spiritual indigestion !
The Catholic faith also would be much the poorer without its Traditions and
commentaries by the Church Fathers and Church Doctors -- St Ambrose (especially
on the Psalms), St Jerome, St Augustine, St Athanasius, St Cyril of Jerusalem
(with his commentaries to the newbies to the Faith), St Catherine of Siena, St
Thomas Aquinas and St Alphonsus Liguori (check out his commentaries on the
Rosary).
Check out: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/ ;
Check out the Liturgy of the Hours: the Office of Readings in the second
reading.
Check out:
https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/doctors-of-the-catholic-church/
Certainly, I could survive on a "simple" diet, but why in the world would I
want to limit myself if I had the opportunity and the ability to savor such
deep wells of delicacies ? It was the wealth of Office of Reading commentaries
which brought me into the Catholic Faith.
Those who wish to remain with Scripture only are certainly welcome to it. I
will defend to the death a person's right to do so.
I for one, however, will continue to dive into both Jewish and Catholic
commentaries as often as time and energy allows.
One life time is never enough to mine even a thimbleful of one of these
absolute gems.
Rachael Murphy
----- Original Message -----
From: robbinson (Redacted sender "robbinson" for DMARC)
To: ahc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, 18 December, 2020 4:03 PM
Subject: [ahc] Re: Testing
Thank you for the kind note David
If you are willing and interested, I would be willing to discuss any or all
of the points you just made (in love) live via phone or zoom. Of course I
would not be offended if you chose to decline that offer.
God gave us the the Old and the New Testament (the body of believers
“accepted” them). The Eucharist is a big topic for sure.
Scripture alone I would suggest is by definition a biblical perspective - Of
course, Jesus said things that were not written down in books (we know this
because scripture told us this), but scripture is sufficient (also by its own
terms) and we need to examine closely traditions or extra biblical teachings
against God’s word.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas as well - it is such a beautiful and
special time of year.
In Christ,
Brian
