tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post2287155906074270568..comments2024-03-05T11:44:26.154-08:00Comments on The New Theological Movement: Were Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and all who came before the Lord, thieves and robbers?, on the Gospel of the 4th Sunday of EasterFather Ryan Erlenbushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-57222526147875908442011-05-18T13:04:07.036-07:002011-05-18T13:04:07.036-07:00Mark,
Interesting interpretation ... I don't t...Mark,<br />Interesting interpretation ... I don't think it is too rooted in Scripture, though.<br />The Greek is not simply "lestai" (robbers), but also "kleptai" (thieves) ... very little reason to think that Jesus is speaking of revolutionary terrorists ... in fact, the whole notion of the parable is that these thieves and robbers are stealing the sheep and leading them astray -- we are speaking on a different level than political messiahs. <br />Certainly, the revolutionary zealots would be one example of the false-shepherds; but that is not the only application (or even, necessarily, the primary application) of the parable.<br /><br />The vulgate gives "fures" and "latrones" ... the Fathers of the Church think of them as thieves and robbers too (i.e. I don't know of any reference to terrorism among the Patristic commentaries).<br /><br />Whatever the novel says, it is only a novel ... I trust the tradition over modern so-called insights (no matter how clever they may seem).Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-88413852528180771792011-05-18T11:33:06.193-07:002011-05-18T11:33:06.193-07:00Actually, in scripture, the theives and robbers we...Actually, in scripture, the theives and robbers were 'lestai', a revolutionary or bandit - today we might say 'terrorist'. These 'messiahs' wanted to lead Israel in armed rebellion against Rome, and Jesus offered them a radical alternative. (See Simon Perry's novel All Who Came Before).<br /><br />In the end, I think the logic leads in the same direction as the conclusion on this page. Thanks,<br />Mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-91169409542549010322011-05-16T12:55:43.972-07:002011-05-16T12:55:43.972-07:00Veronica,
No worries at all about your first comme...Veronica,<br />No worries at all about your first comment -- I did not mean for my response to sound at all like a criticism ... <br />Thank you for the prayers! +Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-52441736716925487762011-05-16T12:48:09.051-07:002011-05-16T12:48:09.051-07:00Father, I never meant for you to name names - that...Father, I never meant for you to name names - that would be the last thing I would want - I was just asking in a general sense and should have indicated that in my post. <br /><br />Thank you for your answer. All priests in general have my prayers and sacrifices each and every day. Many I pray for by name (I have added you to my list, Father, and hope you do not mind!).<br /><br />God reward you for this forum!<br /><br />VeronicaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-75683012957860570052011-05-16T11:34:53.540-07:002011-05-16T11:34:53.540-07:00Veronica,
Bl. John Paul II, in his letter to pries...Veronica,<br />Bl. John Paul II, in his letter to priests of 9 April 1979, indicates that unfaithful priests are the hirelings to whom the sheep do not belong.<br /><br />Some of the Church Fathers say that those priests who do not preach Christ, but seek their own gain and do not reprove the sinner; these are the thieves and robbers.<br />[this would go for bishops too]<br /><br />It would seem also that those from outside the Church who seek to destroy the flock through worldly enticements and through ridiculing the Church and her teaching, these are also thieves and robbers.<br /><br />I would not want to name names (it would seem to me that this would be a sin of detraction) ... I would say that, generally, there is a constant struggle for most all priests -- there are always temptations to seek one's own glory or preach a gospel other than that which Christ gave us ... this is why we need to pray constantly for our priests and (especially) for our bishops; that they may remain true to the tradition of faith and that they might protect flock from the wolves of the present world.<br /><br />Peace to you! +Father Ryan Erlenbushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07557817305024750902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5578980753063154388.post-14580837316107180372011-05-16T10:45:16.498-07:002011-05-16T10:45:16.498-07:00This may be too controversial question to answer, ...This may be too controversial question to answer, but who are the present day thieves and robbers?<br /><br />VeronicaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com