#338 Cardinal Burke - The New Testament

In this second day of discussion about Scripture, Cardinal Burke begins with the central claim of the New Testament: Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. He presents multiple lines of evidence for the resurrection's historicity, including the testimony of the four Gospels, the transformation of the apostles from fearful disciples to bold proclaimers, the conversion of St. Paul from persecutor to apostle, and the empty tomb. Burke emphasizes that the Gospels were written within a century of Christ's death, close enough to the events that eyewitness testimony and oral tradition (a cultural norm of the time) ensured accuracy.

Burke explains that the New Testament contains 27 books: four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), the Acts of the Apostles, Paul's epistles (including pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus), the Catholic Epistles (from Peter, James, John, and Jude), and Revelation. He notes that not all Gospels were written by apostles—Mark and Luke were not apostles but were closely associated with the apostolic community.

The discussion covers Christ's life from his hidden years in Nazareth through his public ministry at age 30. Burke describes Christ's consciousness of his divine identity, evident when he was twelve in the temple, and emphasizes that Christ's entire public ministry revealed God's infinite love and mercy through teaching (parables, Sermon on the Mount) and miracles (healings, casting out demons, feeding the 5,000). Burke stresses that Christ forgave sins—a power attributed only to God—which scandalized the Jewish leaders.

Burke extensively discusses the Last Supper, presenting it as the institution of the two central sacraments: the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood. He explains the doctrine of transubstantiation—that the substance of bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ while retaining the appearance of bread and wine. This is not symbolic but literal consumption of Christ's body and blood. The Last Supper was on Holy Thursday, and Christ's passion and death occurred on Good Friday.

The passion narrative includes Christ's arrest in Gethsemane (where he prayed in such agony he sweated blood), his trial before Pontius Pilate, his scourging and mocking, and his crucifixion. Burke describes crucifixion as death by asphyxiation and emphasizes the cruelty of the passion. He notes that Christ forgave the good thief (Dismas) and entrusted his mother to John the Beloved. When a Roman soldier pierced Christ's side, blood and water flowed out—Burke interprets this as signifying the sacraments of Baptism (water) and the Eucharist (blood).

Burke explains that between Friday evening and Sunday morning, Christ was resurrected in a glorified, transformed body. He appeared to the apostles multiple times (10-15 recorded appearances, likely more unrecorded) over 40 days. The risen Christ demonstrated continuity with his earthly body (showing wounds) yet transcendence (appearing through locked doors, disappearing from sight). After 40 days, Christ ascended to heaven, instructing the apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit.

On Pentecost (50 days after Easter), the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the upper room with wind and flames of fire. This transformed the fearful disciples into bold proclaimers. Peter's first sermon converted thousands. The Church grew exponentially despite persecution, with all apostles except John becoming martyrs. Burke emphasizes that Christ's victory was spiritual, not political—he came to save from sin and death, not to establish an earthly kingdom.

Burke addresses the relationship between Old and New Testaments, stating that the New fulfills rather than cancels the Old. Christ himself said he came not to abolish the Law and Prophets but to fulfill them. The New Covenant in Christ's body and blood through his passion and death is the culmination of God's plan.

Regarding Mary, Burke explains she was chosen from all time to be the Mother of God because God desired to be redeemed by one like us—born of a woman. She was preserved from all sin and participated uniquely in Christ's redemptive work. Her final recorded words were "Do whatever he tells you," directing all to Christ.

Burke discusses afterlife theology: souls are judged immediately upon death and go to heaven, purgatory (for purification of temporal punishment due to sin), or hell. Purgatory is supported by Scripture (2 Maccabees) and the Church's practice of praying for the dead. On the last day, Christ will judge both the living and the dead, the bodies of the just will be restored glorified, and there will be a new heaven and new earth—transformed, not annihilated.

On spiritual warfare, Burke emphasizes that only Christ has power over demons. Priests pray exorcisms in Christ's name, not their own. He notes increased demonic activity in recent times and urges vigilance through prayer, sacraments, and devotion to St. Michael, St. Joseph (Terror of Demons), and Mary.

Burke explains the Rosary as a gospel prayer combining the Hail Mary (using words of Gabriel and Elizabeth) with meditation on 20 mysteries: five joyful (Annunciation through Finding in Temple), five sorrowful (Agony through Crucifixion), five glorious (Resurrection through Mary's Coronation), and five luminous (Baptism through Institution of Eucharist). The practice strengthens one's life in Christ.

Finally, Burke discusses the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which he founded in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The apparition to Juan Diego in 1531 resulted in millions of conversions. The miraculous image of Mary remains on Diego's cactus-cloth mantle, preserved despite its material fragility. Burke invites people to visit the shrine and participate in five-year preparation for the 500th anniversary in 2031.