September 7, 1999
I think your proposal for a book is excellent. Contents: Who did Jesus think he was? Jesus’ Identity Crises! What is the role of women in the Biblical picture? What is meant by the “End of the World?” What is the teaching of the Bible on homosexuality?

I have already written on all the topics but now it will be great to draw all the topics together. There is no doubt these topics cover a lot of basic questions in the minds of people today. The young people are not receiving the proper grounding and have nothing to build on as they get older. Then this whole idea of the destruction of the universe is based on all sort of post-Tridentine (Council of Trent, 1545-1563) fumblings and side tracks.

I’ll get working on the ideas, today.

September 8, 1999
I gathered a lot of my writing on the topics for the new book. I have a lot written but it will demand editing to fit it under the proper topic. I did a lot of thinking about the “Jesus” idea. I come up with a better more-enticing picture each time I think about him. I think one of the most intriguing parts is the relationship between the two cousins, Jesus and John. The public words of praise for John are some of the greatest in the gospels. They were also especially dear to the first Christians.

September 11-12, 1999
John Baptist (Phil often referred to John as “John Baptist“ not “John the Baptist”) worked more on reform while Jesus decided a new start was needed. He did not want a separate structure and a society of its own. He wanted the civil society to stand but to be reformed into real harmony by respect for everyone’s rights and real sharing with everyone. This is stated in so many words by Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount; by John in the discussion at the Last Supper; and by Luke in his special parables of the Widow’s Mite, the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son.

September 17-18, 1999
The article on Women in the Bible is taking shape nicely. I’ve read through my commentary on various books in which the women are mentioned. I treat them well in the given passage but they need to be drawn into one unfolding picture.

The fertility cults were always the “bete noire” for the whole picture. Every abuse of sex was a part of the cult and the Israelites were forever falling into the cults. These cults were total degradation of sex and love in every sense. The prophets were constantly trying to straighten the thinking and actions of the people.

September 19, 1999
I read the article on women being ordained deacons in the Catholic Church. Right now, as the article says, many parishes are completely cared for by women. But they cannot “say Mass” or hear confessions. I don’t think we’ll see any change until we get back to the fundamental message of Christ. He was interested in the spread of the “Holy Spirit” by those who already had it. This “Spirit” consisted in lending a hand to people in need as they touched your life. There was to be a constantly growing concern for all the people who came into your life. There was not to be any special organization plunked down in the middle of society.

Authority in the church was to be at the bottom, a foundation on which all could grow. Will this ever change? I doubt it if they are truly going to canonize Pius XII and put him up for a role mode. Then the church authorities are more off base than ever.

September 23-24, 1999
Jesus was clearly an idealist. He thought of the pleasant society of people working together. At the same time, he was very much of a pragmatist. He knew the basic problems that faced all people and he addressed them.

As Peter saw the message of Christ, everything boiled down to a strong personal conviction of the ideals of sharing. His stress, because of his own major failure, was true hope and then working for it. (Peter’s approach is recorded in Gospel According to Mark.)

Luke was more for the notion of “salvation” or “total health” at the disposal of everyone. He stressed especially the dignity and equality of women. Matthew saw this practicality of the world of kings. Everyone could share and establish the total kingship. John saw the whole picture as establishing the true brotherhood of mankind in order to portray the fatherhood of God.

September 28-29, 1999
This morning I thought about what I had read (of my writings) yesterday. The description is that of John with Jesus on the cross. John was about 15 years old. He was the only one of the 12 to be on Calvary. Jesus had just entrusted his mother, as the New Eve, to the care of John. Jesus cried out his “I thirst” then said “telelestai” - “Now all the pieces are in place.” “Now the work can really go on.” Then he bowed his head and died.

Now these ideas and words were written down about a century later. The ideas and ideals of Christ were being lived by the first generations of followers. The plan was working so well that even the Roman rulers noticed. Their comment was simply, “See how they love one another.” Two hundred years later, even the Emperor was converted to the ideals of Jesus.

The whole picture was and is so simple. There has to be a constant recognition of the dignity or worth of each person. There has to be the sharing of talents, abilities, material things on every level. There has to be a constant development of the treasures of the universe for the good of all.

October 8, 1999
I have my ideas about “to telos” all arranged in my head. The opening words of Genesis say that the purpose of all creation is to show or establish the Fatherhood of God in the Brotherhood of man (Hebrew word, Bara). This can only be done if the plan of God is followed. The first couple failed miserably and there was a time of trying to get back on track. Finally, Jesus Christ pointed out the way this plan was to be carried out (Greek phrase “to telos“).

This plan is presented in the four gospels and the whole picture is necessary. Mark is giving the picture as Peter saw it. The word is “apologia” (1 P 3:15). This means strong personal conviction in each individual. Luke stresses “soteria” or “health” in all senses of the word. This stresses that absolutely everyone is invited. It emphasizes the rights and dignity of women. Matthew centers on “basileia” or “kingship” and this is expressed in helping each other in every need so that no one is overlook or neglected. Finally, John is “huiothesia” or “sonship.” The new Adam and the new Eve are establishing true love that is seen in service. Achieve these goals and the world reaches its goal (telos).

October 10, 1999
I really enjoy thinking about various aspects and ideas of the gospels as the answer to the opening words and plan of Genesis. The approach of each evangelist and his followers is as different as three great artists presenting the same theme.

I like Mark because this picture is so in keeping with the basic approach of Peter. Luke takes the ideas of Paul and develops a completely new slant on Paul’s approach. Matthew follows his own background and approach. John follows his personality throughout his whole life and gives the most developed picture of Christ.

October 19, 1999
Last night and this morning, I really did a lot of thinking about the “final perfection” (telos) of the whole universe. The Biblical picture is very clear. God started everything off with all of the potency for development. As it started, he saw that it was very good and he was very pleased. Then he turned it over to mankind to develop all the potentialities in the whole universe. When it is truly complete it will be people with firm conviction, true sharing with each other, sharing in the powers of real kingship and a love that is true harmony. We have a way to go!

October 20, 1999
I have finally reduced the whole Bible story to two words: from “Bara” to “to telos.” The story begins in the “Fatherhood of God” and will be complete in the “Brotherhood of Man.” I don’t think the universe is going to be destroyed to make an end as has been taught for so long. When the universe is brought to the goal set by God from the start, then it will be peopled with all those who have properly identified themselves in this life.

November 15, 1999
Each gospel gives one aspect of the “fulness” of the earth or universe as intended from the beginning and as developed and presented by Jesus Christ in his ideas and ideals. Jesus was the talented and gifted student of his day even though he never set foot in the rabbinical schools. He was so convinced of his ideas, he was willing to die for them and did.

November 28, 1999
The news item on public radio about the Psalms was of interest. St. Jerome made three or possibly four translations of the Psalms. One is extant and is a masterpiece. The Vulgate butchered Jerome, as usual.

Jerome admitted there was much about the “poetic form” that could not be translated. Some of them are songs about specific Bible stories or events and these can be better understood. Most of the Psalms are songs inspired by the mental outlook of the person composing.

There is a definite rhythm to them but this can seldom be matched in our western languages. The acrostics are linguistic masterpieces. Each verse begins with a word that starts with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. That word is almost always the keyword to the verse.

November 30, 1999
This morning, I’ll work on the Psalms. I have a good summary presentation on the disk but I leave it to the reader to open the Bible and peruse the 150 songs. I don’t think that will get people to open their Bibles. Or, if they do, they will have only the Confraternity translation that leaves a lot to be desired. The J.B. (Jerusalem Bible, 1966) translations and footnotes are excellent but few people now have the J.B.

I had four major guides in my approach to the Psalms. We recited the whole office in Latin, each day in the Novitiate. Father John (CSSR novice master when Phil was preparing to be a priest) wanted us to appreciate the Psalms so he gave us several classes in their make- up as Hebrew poetry, their imagery, historical references, and translation by St. Jerome. Then I did a thorough study in Oconomowoc as a student. Our library was excellent.

In Washington DC (Catholic University), I studied the Psalms with (Pat) Skehan, (Roland) Murphy and (Lou) Hartman. In Rome, I had Dyson and Bonsirven. When I taught in Oc-oc, I always gave a good presentation of the Psalms.

December 2, 1999
I worked on the Psalms again this morning. I’m up to Psalm 93. Some of the Psalms are beautiful poems. However, a lot of them are really “brutal” in their cries for destruction and vengeance on their enemies. A lot of the bigotry and hatred comes from the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC and the subsequent time in the Babylonian exile.

The people in exile were sure this was a punishment for the lives of their ancestors. They saw themselves as the poor, overburdened, innocent people. Ezechiel tried to set them straight with his teaching on personal responsibility. The people, for the most part, ignored him and turned to the pagan idols and fertility cults.

As St. Jerome said in his commentary, the Psalms were of interest only for their poetic technique.

December 3, 1999
I’m up to Psalm 104. As I said yesterday, the content of the Psalms is very spotty. Many of them are cries of despondency because the people blamed everyone else.

Ezechiel really weighed into the people for blaming everyone but themselves. He was the first prophet who put all his stress on personal responsibility. The remnant who left the captivity to go back to Jerusalem started off well. However, when they arrived at the city, they saw the mess that was left after the destruction. These were the new generation that had been born in captivity. They started the same old grumbling and decided to sit on their hands. Aggeus (Haggai) and Sophoniah blistered their ears but it did no good for most of them. Many of the Psalms reflect the grumbling attitudes of these people.