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Baal - Owner, lord. The applied name to
deity; at first it was not a proper name but used for an owner of
something, or inhabitants of locality. During the first time of the
Judges, the term was compounded with other names, such as Baaliada,
Baalthamar. The Hebrews rather naturally called God “Baal,” because
the word also meant “lord. “However when the worship of the
Chanaanite deity, Baal, invaded religion of Israel, the use of the
word was gradually forbidden.
© Fireside New American Bible
Bagoas - A eunuch of Holofernes, the
cruel general of Nebuchadnezzar. It was during a siege of Bethulia
that Holofernes instructed Bagoas to invite Judith to attend a
banquet which resulted in the death of Holofernes and the liberation
of Bethulia from Assyrians.
© Fireside New American Bible
Baptism, Sacrament of -
The sacrament in which, by pouring water upon a person or immersing
him in water, and using the words, “I baptize you in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the one baptized is
cleansed of original sin and (in the case of one who has reached the
age of reason) of particular sin; he is incorporated into Christ and
made a member of his Body the Church; he is infused with the
sanctifying grace and received the theological virtues of faith,
hope and charity, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and this enables
him to receive the other sacraments effectively. The minister of
Baptism is ordinarily a bishop, priest, or deacon, but in an
emergency anyone can baptize validly. If it is impossible for an
individual to receive the baptism of water, the same benefits can be
supplied by “baptism of blood” (whereby martyrdom is suffered for
the Catholic faith or for some virtue) or by “baptism of desire”
(whereby a person has perfect contrition and at least the implicit
intention of fulfilling God’s Will for man’s salvation).
© Fireside New American Bible
The sacrament in which, by water and the word of God, a person is
cleansed of all sin and reborn and sanctified in Christ to
everlasting life.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Barabbas - A man imprisoned in
Jerusalem for sedition and murder, and under the penalty of death.
He was awaiting execution at the time of Chris’s trial before
Pilate, in keeping with the custom of releasing a criminal under
sentence of death at the Feast of the Passover. Pilate proposed a
choice between Barabbas and Jesus, but the Jews were so bent on the
death of Jesus that they preferred pardoning this double criminal.
© Fireside New American Bible
Barnabas - The surname of Joseph a
Cypriote Levite, among the first to embrace Christianity in
Jerusalem. He was a relative of Jon Mark, but like Paul, he was not
among the first Twelve. Soon after Pentecost he took a prominent
place on the Church at Jerusalem, and later in world-wide missionary
activities. He was a man of some means, having land in either the
vicinity of Jerusalem or in Cyprus; this land was sold and the
entire proceeds given to the Church at Jerusalem. He came into
prominence also as the sponsor of Saul of Tarsus, afterwards Paul
the Apostle, when the brethren at Jerusalem hesitated to admit him
into fellowship. Later he removed to Antioch in Syria as that church
became the center of Gentile endeavors; and he was responsible for
inducing Paul to join the Christian forces of that church. He was a
companion to Paul in his first missionary journey. When Paul was
ready to start on his second trip a dispute arose between him and
Barnabas concerning John Mark. Paul chose Silas as his companion,
and Barnabas and John Mark left in a separate party. After this we
do not have much information about Barnabas, except that he is later
commended by Paul.
© Fireside New American Bible
Bartholomew - Son of Tolmai. One
of the Twelve Apostles whose name is always given in the various
lists in the three synoptic Gospels, coupled with Philip. The name
is often given as Nathaniel. Little is said of this Apostle by
either or both names. He was famed for his Jewish patriotism and
devoutness before he became a follower of Christ, and for being
humble in his devotion and service afterwards.
© Fireside New American Bible
Baruch, The Book of - A
book of only five chapters attributed to Baruch, son of Neraiah, the
secretary of the prophet Jeremiah; generally held today to be a the
work of three separate authors, though skillfully edited into one
consistent work. Directed to the Jews exiled in Babylon, Baruch
preached to Israel that her people now languish in a alien land for
having abandoned “the fountain of wisdom,” i.e., the Torah.
© Fireside New American Bible
Beatific Vision - The full
sharing in God’s life (face to face vision) which is the promise
made to all who are faithful in their search for God. Our present
sharing in God’s life is incomplete and marred by sin; one comes to
know God through the scriptures, the sacraments, and many other
signs of God’s presence. When life comes to its fruition in the
everlasting Kingdom, then one is said to share in the Beatific
Vision.
© Fireside New American Bible
The intuitive knowledge of God which produces heavenly beatitude. As
defined by the Church, the souls of the just "see the divine essence
by an intuitive vision and face to face, so that the divine essence
is known immediately, showing itself plainly, clearly and openly,
and not mediately through any creature" (Denzinger 1000-2).
Moreover, the souls of the saints "clearly behold God, one and
triune, as He is" (Denzinger 1304-6). It is called vision in the
mind by analogy with bodily sight, which is the most comprehensive
of human sense faculties; it is called beatific because it produces
happiness in the will and the whole being. As a result of this
immediate vision of God, the blessed share in the divine happiness,
where the beatitude of the Trinity is (humanly speaking) the
consequence of God's perfect knowledge of his infinite goodness. The
beatific vision is also enjoyed by the angels, and was possessed by
Christ in his human nature even while he was in his mortal life on
earth.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Beatification - A declaration by
the Pope as head of the Church that one of the deceased faithful
lived a holy life and/or died a martyr's death and is now dwelling
in heaven. As a process, the beatification consists of a years-long
examination of the life, virtues, writings, and reputation for
holiness of the servant of God under consideration. This is
ordinarily conducted by the bishop of the place where he or she
resided or died. For a martyr miracles worked through the person's
intercession need not be considered in this primary process. The
second, or Apostolic, process is instituted by the Holy See when the
first process reveals that the servant of God practiced virtue in a
heroic degree or died a martyr for the faith. Beatified persons are
called "Blessed" and may be venerated by the faithful but not
throughout the universal Church.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Beelzebub - ‘lord of the flies’ .The
name of a divinity honored by the Philistines at Accaron. Since he
was a health-giving divinity, Ocahozias, king of Israel, consulted
this god when he was ill because of a fall.
© Fireside New American Bible
Benediction of the
Blessed Sacrament - A Eucharistic devotion in the Catholic
Church of the Latin Rite. In its traditional form, a priest, vested
in surplice, stole, and cope, places on the altar or in the niche
above it the consecrated Host in the ostensorium, or monstrance, and
then incenses it. O Salutaris Hostia or similar hymn is usually sung
at the beginning of exposition, followed by a period of meditation,
praise, and adoration by priest and people. At the conclusion of the
ceremony the Tantum Ergo hymn is chanted, with another incensation,
and followed by blessing the people with the raised monstrance in
the form of a cross. During the blessing the priest wears the
humeral veil covering his hands. A small bell is rung during the
blessing. The Divine Praises are then sung or recited by priest and
people, and the Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the tabernacle.
Benediction is commonly held on major feasts and Sundays, also
during Lent, during a mission, or retreat or during forty hours'
devotions. Other days may be designated by individual bishops. Since
the Second Vatican Council the Holy See has simplified the
traditional ritual, allowing for a variety of options in the
prayers, songs, and readings "to direct the attention of the
faithful to the worship of Christ the Lord" (Eucharistiae
Sacramentum, 1973, No. 95).
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Benediction, Apostolic -
A solemn public blessing with plenary indulgence given by the Pope,
and since 1870, by bishops and priest on special occasions. In
addition, all priests much give this blessing to a person in danger
of death. Also called the “Last Blessing,” it must be given
according to the formula of Pope Benedict XVI. The clergy are
forbidden to impart this blessing to the excommunicated or
impenitent. The sick person receiving this Apostolic Benediction
should pronounce the Holy Name and make an act of contrition and
submission of the Will to God. This may be done aloud or inwardly.
© Fireside New American Bible
Benjamin - A son of Jacob by Rachel
and the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, Benjamin was
the youngest son and was much loved by his only full brother,
Joseph. Benjamin played an important role in the story of Joseph.
© Fireside New American Bible
Bilocation - The simultaneous
presence of the same substance in two distinct locations. This
phenomenon does not imply that her substance is multiplied by rather
that the substance’s relations to other entitles are in creased. The
Holy Eucharist is an example of bilocation as Christ’s presence
–unlimited, unlike other realities- exists at once throughout the
world. Holy persons like Saint Padre Pio were said to experience
bilocation.
© Fireside New American Bible
Bishop - A successor of the Apostles
who has received the fullness of Christ's priesthood. His most
distinctive power, that of ordaining priests and other bishops,
belongs uniquely to a bishop. Moreover, m spite of some disputed
cases in history, it is highly probable that a priest would not be
authorized by the Holy See to ordain another priest. A priest
certainly cannot consecrate a bishop.
In the ordination of a bishop the "matter" is the imposition of
hands on the head of the bishop-elect by the consecrating bishops,
or at least by the principal consecrator, which is done in silence
before the consecratory prayer; the "form" consists of the words of
the consecratory prayer, of which the following pertains to the
essence of the order, and therefore are required for the validity of
the act: "Now pour out upon this chosen one that power which flows
from you, the perfect Spirit whom He gave to the apostles, who
established the Church in every place as the sanctuary where your
name would always be praised and glorified."
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Blessed - 1. Something that has been
hallowed by a religious rite of blessing. 2. A title bestowed on a
deceased person by the Holy See, indicating that the person excelled
in virtue and is worthy or public veneration.
© Fireside New American Bible
In general, a person, place, or object associated with God and
implying a divine favor: 1. a sacramental as a blessed article; 2. a
deceased person who has been beatified by an official declaration of
the Church; 3. believers in Christ who respond to his beatitudes; 4.
all Christians insofar as they receive the grace of God; 5. all who
are in heaven.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Blessed Sacrament - The
Eucharist as one of the seven sacraments instituted by Christ to be
received by the faithful. Unlike the other sacraments, however, the
Eucharist is not only a sacrament to be received but also a
sacrament to be adored before, during, and after reception. It is
therefore a permanent sacrament, since Christ remains in the
Eucharist as long as the physical properties of the species of bread
and wine remain essentially unchanged.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Blessed Virgin Mary -
Mother of Jesus Christ and greatest of the Christian saints. The
title "Mary" occurs only once in the Old Testament as the name of
Moses' sister (Exodus 15:20). Its etymology has been variously
traced to mean beautiful, bitter, rebellion, illuminatrix, lady, and
beloved of God. Scholars prefer the last meaning, derived from the
Egyptian, which may be explained by the four hundred years' sojourn
of the Israelites in Egypt.
The Gospel account of Mary's life begins with the appearance of the
archangel Gabriel in Nazareth to announce the choice of her as
mother of the Messiah. Though espoused to Joseph, she intended to
remain a virgin and asked for an explanation. The angel assured her
that this would be done by the power of the Most High, at which Mary
gave her consent: "Be it done to me according to your word."
On her visit to Elizabeth, Mary sang the Magnificat, "My soul
magnifies the Lord," which recalls the canticle of Anna, mother of
Samuel the prophet (I Kings 2:1-10) .When she returned to Nazareth,
Joseph realized that Mary was pregnant and thought of putting her
away privately until an angel appeared to him and revealed the
mystery.
In obedience to a census decree of Augustus, Mary and Joseph, who
were both of Davidic descent, went to David's city of Bethlehem,
where Jesus was born in a stable. Forty days later Mary, in the
company of Joseph, came to the temple in Jerusalem to be purified
according to the law of Moses, and to offer her son to the Lord
together with a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young
pigeons. At this presentation, the old man Simeon took Jesus in his
arms and foretold Mary's share in the future sufferings of her son.
During the hidden life of Christ, the Gospels are silent about Mary
except for one dramatic incident when Jesus was twelve years old.
Finding him in the temple in the midst of the doctors, his mother
asked him why he had done this. In their first recorded dialogue,
Jesus replied that he must be about his Father's business.
Mary was with Christ at the beginning of his public life, when
through her intercession he changed water into wine at the marriage
feast in Cana of Galilee. She was in his company at Capharnaum for a
short time, and on occasion followed him in his ministry.
She stood beneath the cross on Calvary and was placed in the care of
the Apostle John, being told, "Behold your son." After the Ascension
of Christ into heaven, Mary waited in Jerusalem with the Apostles
and disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. From then on there
are no further biographical data about Mary in the
New Testament, except for the mystical references to the "woman" in
St. John's Apocalypse, and St. Paul's description to the Galatians
of Christ as "made of a woman."
According to tradition, Mary lived for a time in or near Ephesus,
but her permanent home after Pentecost seems to have been Jerusalem.
There is no certain place or date for Mary's death, although Ephesus
and twelve years after Christ's Ascension appear the most likely.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Bodily Immortality - The
immunity from disease and bodily death that was enjoyed by Adam and
Eve before the Fall. It was a special privilege that was to have
been passed on to their descendants. Since man is naturally mortal
in body, this privilege was preternatural. It conferred the capacity
not to die. Its purpose was to enable mankind to better use the gift
of sanctifying grace in serving God.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Bodily Resurrection - The
reunion of the soul of each human being with his own body on the
last day. Christ taught the resurrection from the dead (Matthew
22:29-32; Luke 14:14; John 5:29, 6:39-40, 11:25), and the Apostles
preached the doctrine as a cardinal mystery of the Christian faith
(I Corinthians 15:20; Revelation 20:12). Belief in the resurrection
is professed in all the ancient creeds. "The human beings that rise
again are the identical persons who lived before, though their vital
processes are performed in a different way. Now their life is
mortal, then it will be immortal. . . [But] they still are of the
same kind and are still the same individuals as before . . . They do
not assume a heavenly or ghostly kind of body. Their bodies remain
truly human, though they are invested with an immortality coming
from a divine strength which enables them so to dominate the body
that corruption cannot enter" (St. Thomas, Compendium Theologiae,
155).
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
Burial, Christian - Interment
of a deceased person with the Church's funeral rites in consecrated
ground. Since it is an honor granted by the Church, it follows that
the Church may determine who is worthy of it. The general practice
of the Church is to interpret certain prohibitions of Christian
burial as mildly as possible. Doubtful cases are referred to a
bishop. If the burial is to take place in a cemetery that has not
been consecrated, the grave must be individually blessed before a
Catholic person is interred.
© Modern Catholic Dictionary, Eternal Life Publications
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