KATA MAQQAION Fr. Randy Soto, SThD Kenrick Seminary

General Aspects General Aspects Literary Genre Jesus’ life is presented as An OT Epic Narrative in Two main genres: Lo,gia : Discourse Dihgh,sij : Narrative Composition Date Terminus A quo 60 Terminus ad quem 67 Circa 64 Author Matthew, Levi of Alpheus Symbol Human Face

The Man’s Book

Structure of Matthew Structure of Matthew The order of Chapter 13 will relate closely to the discourse and narrative sections of the Gospel: A: The parable of the Sowers refers to the Birth of Christ, his manifestation and consequent acceptance by those who believe. B: The Parable of the Weeds refers to the necessity of discerning between the blessings and the woes in our Christian life. C: The Parable of the Mustard Seed refers to seeing in Jesus Death the beginnings of a new era under the shadow and protection of the Tree of the Cross. D: The parable of the Yeast sums up the Mission of the Disciples and that of the Church in this World. E: The next collection of Parables sets out the tone in our Christian faith: We are free to love God or to reject him, but we must live with the consequences of our decision. F: The last Parable of the Treasures New and Old describes perfectly the purpose of chapter 13: It brings the Old doctrine up to date with Jesus’ New Authority and Teachings. It invites us to follow Christ the Messiah with audacity and determination A: Narrative: Birth and beginnings 1-4 B: Discourse: Blessings, Kingdom 5-7 C: Narrative: Authority Invitation 8-9 D: Discourse: Mission 10 E: Narrative: Rejection by Israel F: Discourse: The Parables 13 E1:Narrative: Acceptance by disciples D1: Discourse: Church 18 C1: Narrative: Authority Invitation B1: Discourse: Woes, Kingdom A1: Narrative: Death and Rebirth 26-28

Seven Narrations and 5 Discourses 7 7Narrations 1. Infancy Narratives in Mt 1-2; 2. Initial triptych in Mt 3-4; 3. Ministry in Galilee in Mt 8-9; 4. Opposition of Israel in Mt 11-12; 5. Acknowledgement by the disciples in Mt 14-17; 6.Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem in Mt 19-22; 7. Death and Resurrection Narratives in Mt Discourses 1. The Sermon on the Mount in Mt 5-7; 2. The Missionary discourse in Mt 10; 3. The Parable discourse in Mt 13; 4. The Ecclesiological Discourse in Mt 18; 5. The Eschatological Discourse in Mt

Christology 1.Son of Man 2. Son of the Living God 3. Messiah 4. The Lord 5. The Emmanuel 6. The Rabbi, or Dida,skaloj 7. The Loving Shepherd

Ecclesiology 1.Community of Brothers and Sisters 2.Organized Community 3.Community of Love, as binding principle 4.Missionary Community 5.Community of Evangelical Radicalism

Preferred Scene: The Mountain a) There on the mount, we can overcome temptations 4:8ff; b) we are instructed to live according to the New Law of Christ 5:1 – 8:1; c) we are called to pray with our Father 14:23ff; d) we are healed of our infirmities 15:30ff; e) we witness Christ’s Transfiguration that reveals his Messianic Identity 17:1ff; f) we can prove our faith by means of the mount 17:20; g) Mount Zion is the place to suffer and die, and to rise again 20:17ff; h) Mount of Olives is the place where Jesus asks us to prepare the Eucharist 21:1ff, and instruct us to prepare for his Second Coming 24:3ff; i) Gethsemane is the place in which we keep vigil 26:36; j) Mount Zion (Jerusalem) is the place of the trials of Jesus 26:54; k) The mount is the place to reencounter the Risen Christ 28:10.16; l) The mountain is the place in which Jesus sent his apostles 28:20.

Use in Liturgy Matthew is used in the Weekday Reading Cycle between the 10th week and the 21st. week in Ordinary Time. In the Sunday Reading Matthew corresponds to the A Cycle and it is repeated every three liturgical years.

Matthew in the Art