Exploring the Bible: History, Structure, and Key Figures
The Bible: A Sacred Text
What is the Bible?
The Bible is the collection of sacred books considered canonical in Judaism and Christianity. The specific books included in the canon vary depending on the religious tradition. According to Jewish and Christian belief, the Bible spreads the word of God. The Bible, or portions of it, has been translated into 2,303 languages.
Navigating the Bible
Each book of the Bible is divided into chapters, marked with large numbers at the beginning of each chapter. For example, the Book of Genesis is divided into 50 chapters. The chapter number is also typically printed at the top of each page for easy reference. Each chapter is further divided into verses. These verses are numbered with small numbers throughout the chapter. For example, the first chapter of Genesis has 31 verses.
The Liturgical Year
The liturgical year, or liturgical calendar, is how the Catholic Church organizes the events of God’s action in the world throughout the year.
The Via Crucis (Way of the Cross)
The Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, refers to the stages of Jesus Christ’s journey from his arrest to his crucifixion and burial.
- First Station: Jesus is condemned to death.
- Second Station: Jesus carries the cross.
- Third Station: Jesus falls the first time.
- Fourth Station: Jesus meets His Blessed Mother Mary.
- Fifth Station: Jesus is helped by Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross.
- Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
- Seventh Station: Jesus falls a second time.
- Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem.
- Ninth Station: Jesus falls a third time.
- Tenth Station: Jesus is stripped of his garments.
- Eleventh Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross.
- Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross between two thieves.
- Thirteenth Station: Jesus is taken down from the cross and placed in Mary’s arms.
- Fourteenth Station: Jesus is buried in the tomb.
- Fifteenth Station: Jesus is resurrected.
Symbols of the Eucharist
Bread: Represents sustenance, life, work, and prosperity. It symbolizes any cultural or spiritual food.
Wine: Represents joy, vitality, friendship, and fellowship. It recalls the red blood of the grape, a sign of sacrifice.
Signs and Practices
Key signs in Catholic practice include the reenactment of the Last Supper, the faithful kneeling, and the distribution of the Eucharist. Worthiness to receive communion is a prerequisite for participation.
The Virgin of Coromoto
The Virgin of Coromoto is the patroness of Venezuela. She is revered both in the city of Guanare, where she appeared approximately 350 years ago, and throughout the country.
Resurrection Accounts in the Gospels
Matthew
In the Gospel of Matthew, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” went to the tomb on Sunday morning. An earthquake occurred, and an angel dressed in white rolled the stone from the tomb and sat upon it. The guards were terrified and “became as dead men.”
Mark
In the Gospel of Mark, three followers of Jesus—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—went to the tomb early Sunday morning to anoint Jesus with perfume. They found the stone rolled away and, inside, a young man in a white robe who told them Jesus had risen. He instructed them to tell the disciples and Peter to go to Galilee to see Jesus.
Luke
In the Gospel of Luke, several women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others, went to the tomb to anoint Jesus. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two men in dazzling garments appeared and announced Jesus’ resurrection. The women told the apostles, but they did not believe them, except for Peter, who went to the tomb and found it empty.
John
In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found the stone removed. She ran to tell Peter and the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” They ran to the tomb, with the beloved disciple arriving first but not entering. Peter entered and saw the burial cloths but not the body. The other disciple then entered, “saw and believed.” Mary Magdalene, still outside, saw two angels in white who asked why she was crying. She told them that Jesus had been taken. Turning around, she saw the risen Jesus, whom she initially mistook for the gardener. Jesus called her “Mary,” and she recognized him, replying, “Rabboni.”