Puzzled About Chiasms?

Chiasms (KI-az-uhmz) are tricky little literary devices commonly used in a lot of ancient writings that originated as spoken traditions, as the Bible did. In spoken language, chiasms are infectious to the memory--they really stick with you. Point of fact:

"The last shall be first, and the first shall be last." (Matt. 20:16)

How many of us have that New Testament saying memorized? Easy, right? That's because it's a chiasm! Notice how the word "last" appears at the beginning of the sentence and is repeated at the end. Notice how the word "first" comes at the end of the first phrase and the beginning of the second phrase. That's a chaism. It has a "mirror" structure--the second part is identical to the first, only backwards: LAST FIRST/FIRST LAST.

They're called chiasms because the pattern resembles the letter X--chi (KI) in Greek. Clever, if confusing, right?

For my money, this saying comes straight from the mouth of Jesus. He was, of course, a master of rhetoric and used the common ways of speaking for his time. Possibly Matthew refined it, but that's a whole other topic!

Want more about chiasms? They're all over the place in the Bible. Alexis Chacchia, CBS faculty member, found a wonderful introduction (or a solid refresher) on how chiasms work and where they appear in the Bible. Click on the link below to listen to this excellent podcast. (It takes about 34 minutes, but even the first 10 minutes will be eye-opening, I think!)

http://beyondreadingthebible.com/11-chiasms/

Great Bible Experiment in New Haven - September 7, 2016

I'm attending. Who's with me?

EVENT LOCATION                                        

New Haven, CT:                                                                                                                                                                    
Yale Divinity SchoolNiebuhr Lecture Hall
409 Prospect St., New Haven, CT

Moderator: Chris Stedman, Executive Director, Yale Humanist Community                                       

Event Date: 

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 - 7:00pm

Register to attend in New Haven here.

Wanted: New Students to Thrive on God's Word in Scripture!

A note from the Biblical School Parish Ambassador Coordinator:

The Biblical School graduated its eighteenth class on June 12th. Some of us know the satisfaction and richness of this experience. Recall your recent  Biblical School days: the new friends we made, the things we learned about God and about ourselves. How fortunate we were to be part of this incredible spiritual journey! Don’t you agree?

Now it's time to recruit for the Class of 2020 (!), and the Biblical School is asking for your help. This is a great way that CBS alums and current students can share with others God’s Word in the message of the Bible and the knowledge of God’s love for us.

As you reflect on your own experiences, you have the opportunity to help recruit for the coming fall term. By becoming a Parish Ambassador, the Biblical School makes it easy for you to help recruit. The School provides support and direction in the form of written materials, brochures and posters. You can be part of a team in this important process.

If you can help us out, please send me your address and I will have the materials mailed out to you right away.

Blessings,

Barbara Kaminsky, Class of 2015

860 668 6454

Congratulations CBS Graduates of 2016

On June 12, 2016, twenty-one individuals from eighteen parishes graduated from the Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Biblical School. The Provost for Education, Evangelization and Catechesis, Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, presided at the prayer service and presented certificates.

Pictured here: (front row, left to right): Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, provost; Madeleine Ostrowski; Patty Augustyn; MaryAnn D'Addario; Pat Reynolds. Row 2, l-r: Frank Rio; Suzanne Berwick; Rachelle LaBrecque; Adrienne Artale; Kathrine Rutledge. Row 3, l-r: Fr. Jeremiah Murasso, faculty; Alexis Chacchia, faculty; Michelle Boisseau; Patricia Wilkin; Charlotte Scaviola; Ed Robinson. Row 4, l-r: BJ Daly Horell, faculty chair; TJ Thames, faculty; Sheila DeLuca; Michael DePrimo; Mary Ann Kelly; Judy Annatone; Darcie Laragh. Not pictured: Susan Guerrera, Arek Kosiorek and Linda Masci.