Parish Bible Studies Online

As part of our Church's efforts to evangelize during this Year of Faith, the Archdiocese of Hartford has put a number of new resources on its website, including a list of Bible studies available in parishes. Click on this link to see what's offered in your area: http://archdioceseofhartford.org/news/yearoffaith/yroffaith-bible.htm

These Bible studies are excellent tools for evangelization and faith formation in parishes. Or if you want a more intensive study of the entire Bible, check out the Archdiocese's Catholic Biblical School by clicking here.

CBS Grads Living and Leading in God's Word: "Dear George"

Why are we here? What is our purpose?

These are the questions that continue to baffle humans, in spite of scientific discoveries and inventions which enable us to disprove myths and understand the realities that make up the world. Are we just here to be born, to go to school, to work, to have family, and then later to die?

Richard Irwin found himself confronted by these issues as he went alone for work to Russia. When loneliness set in, he took his laptop and started to write a letter he addressed to his guardian angel--whom he called George--fussing over his predicament and a past mishap. George answered. And so began a worthwhile correspondence over a long period of time that dealt with varied subjects that touch the heart and clarify the interplay of God, the evil one, and humans.

Rich graduated in the Catholic Biblical School in 2010, where he regularly peppered his teachers with intriguing questions like the ones he addresses in his book.

If you are interested in purchasing Rich's book, here is a link to the publisher's webpage: Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Would You Rather Use Facebook?

The Hartford Catholic Biblical School now has a Facebook page. I will write a brief post on our Facebook page when blogs appear on the Bible Blog, with links so you can go directly to the article.

So if you prefer keeping in touch with Facebook, rather than by email, feel free to "like" our Facebook page! Here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/HartfordCatholicBiblicalSchool

And pass the word along. If anyone you know of wants to expand their "biblical horizons," share our Blog or Facebook page with them.

A Weekly Bible Study

January 27, 2013
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10

Tucked away in the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures is a book seldom-read in Catholic liturgies, Nehemiah.  It is a writing that today invites a closer look.

The reformer, Nehemiah, and the priest, Ezra, set out to reestablish temple worship lost during the Babylonian captivity and subsequent fall of the Jerusalem temple.  Throughout today’s reading we recognize connections between the worship described in Nehemiah and our Catholic liturgical celebration, particularly the Liturgy of the Word. 

With ritual detail, Ezra opens the scroll and addresses a congregation of families gathered to hear the proclamation of the word. His posture and command of the crowd bespeak the importance of the message. The solemn response of the congregation acknowledges a deep reverence for the word of God that leads the group to weeping. The word has gripped their hearts, as it often does our own hearts. Ezra next invites them to partake in a banquet that reminds us of our own eucharistic banquet.

Some four hundred years later, Jesus will also open the sacred scroll upon which is written words of encouragement.  He will solemnly read from the prophet Isaiah proclaiming his mission.  He will stand before a congregation, much like Ezra’s, much like our own.

Today we meet that sacred word in Scripture and in liturgy. We are the congregation of Ezra who proclaim with our lives, “Amen. Amen” as we listen to the word. We are the crowds sitting at the feet of Jesus, clinging to his every word. We are the Catholic communities of Hartford gathered each Sunday to embrace God’s word with reverence, respond with joy and celebrate together in the eucharistic banquet.

I read the Word of God and the Word of God reads me.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Archaeologist's Report: Yavne, Israel

Excavating with Dr. Richard Freund
17 December 2012, 2:00 a.m.

"A major section of our decade long Yavne excavations was concluded Dec 12, 13, and 14. ... The project has involved using the latest technologies: (1) a mapping of this ancient city by Professor Phil Reeder of the University of South Florida, (2) ground penetrating radar of over 20 acres by Professor Harry Jol of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire [Wisconsin], and (3)the geophysics team from Canada.

"Our  work has unearthed thousands of shards, glass and metal finds as well as coins and a medieval mosque and minaret area, Crusader walls, Byzantine pottery and for the first time a Roman layer with a beautiful plaster floor.

The Yavne story is unfolding with the artfacts, but it is a tale associated one of the most compelling parts of Jewish and biblical history: the origin of the "new" Sanhedrin in Yavne and the study house of Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, established when the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 CE, forever changing biblical Judaism's sacrifices and priesthood into one of prayers and rabbis.

There are scholars who think that the Yavne "experiment" helped launch all of the subsequent religious reforms from rabbinic Judaism, Christianity and later Islam.

For a fun YouTube photo gallery of the Yavne site (to the tune of "Back in the Saddle Again"), click here.


Editor's Note: Dr. Freund, internationally recognized archeologist, sent updates of his winter excavations in Israel. This installment quotes Dr. Freund's notes verbatim. Please note that this post is not a duplicate of our December 20 post, but contains additional notes from Dr. Freund's December excavations in Israel.

"Super Bowl" of Archaeology with Richard Freund

Dr. Richard Freund

Dr. Richard Freund cordially invites you to a "super" event, on February 3, 2013. The Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford is hosting this event from 1:30-3:30 pm at the 1877 Club, University of Hartford campus.

Dr. Freund will be showing a segment from his new documentary from National Geographic, "Lost Faces of the Bible," a CSI style forensic archaeology approach to biblical figures and information. The segment featured at the "Super Bowl" is on the topic of child sacrifice in the Bible and the ancient near east. He calls it "a fascinating tale of intrigue and good science."

Included in the afternoon's festivities will be give-aways (lots of archaeological "stuff"), archaeology and Bible quizzes and Q&As, book signing, and a short intro to Dr. Freund's new book "Digging through History: Religion and Archaeology from Atlantis to the Holocaust" (Rowman and Littlefield, 2012).

The festivities are free and open to the public but seating is limited. To book your seat, contact Susan Gottlieb at 860-768-4964.  Please call soon so you have a seat!

This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School but is an authorized make-up for certain requirements towards archdiocesan and seminary certificates in biblical studies. Only contact BJ about this program if you wish to request it as a make-up for your missed requirements.

What Bible Passage Describes Your Christian Identity?

In next Sunday's readings we will read that Jesus was called upon to read from Scripture in the synagogue. So he “found the passage where it was written…'Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in or hearing.'”



If you were called upon to read the Scriptures in a gathering, what passage would you look up? What scripture passage might you choose as your personal or family “coat of arms”? Is there a passage from Scripture you would put on your tombstone to describe how you had lived God's Word?

Taken from:

The National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
CL Weekly Question of the Week
For Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 27, 2013

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara A. Gawle

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 62:1-5    John 2:1-11

This first reading from the Prophet Isaiah sets the tone for the Gospel reading of the wedding at Cana. God is imaged in Isaiah as "getting married" to Israel, reconciling with them in an intimate covenant relationship. God's people are recovering from the experience of exile in Babylon, during which many people believed God had rejected them from being God's people.

But in today's reading the people are "wedded" to the Lord in newness of life. No longer called “desolate” or “forsaken,” they will be called “My delight” and their land “Espoused.”  God will rejoice in them as a bridegroom in his new bride.

Imagine the Lord calling us by a new name, “My delight!”

In the third reading, the evangelist we know as John also talks about weddings. He uses the context of a wedding feast to present the first of seven “signs” in his gospel. Each of these seven signs point the way to understanding the divine nature of Jesus in John's gospel.

These signs also point to the faith response of the people as they begin to witness Jesus' power. The words of Jesus bring about the transformation of the water into wine, and the obedience of the servants show what it requires for us to help bring about the renewal of the world in newness of life. Here, Jesus and the servants work hand in hand.

How does our Lord call us to obedient action, today?

This Sunday's readings epitomize not only celebration, but abundance of new life… as an exiled people is embraced by God’s love and forgiveness… as two hearts become wedded in Christ… as wine, sign of Christ's continuing Eucharistic presence, is poured forth.

The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.

Ms. Barbara Gawle leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield CT. She is also a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Reminder for All CBS Courses

Occasionally an instructor will not be in attendance when you arrive for class (for a variety of unforeseen reasons: traffic, sickness, etc.). You should always start class promptly, without the instructor, beginning with prayer and small group discussion.

Your instructor (or a sub) may be delayed but will join you by the time the second hour is scheduled to begin.

If a class fails to wait a full hour for the instructor (using the time as usual for prayer and small group discussion), then students will be considered "absent" and no make-up will be scheduled for the missed class. But if the instructor doesn't arrive in time for the presentation portion of the class, students are free to leave. In that case, the material will be made up at another time and students will be considered "present" for the class.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

A Celebration of Sacred Scripture

Sermon on the Mount:

The Perfect Measure of the Christian Life

Sunday, March 10, 2013
1:00-4:45 pm
St. Thomas Seminary

I. Theme and Structure: The Sermon (Matt. 5-7) calls believers to practice a greater righteousness by being single-minded in their devotion to God. After an extended introduction, the Sermon consists of three great teachings, which will be explored in today’s presentation.

II. Practicing a Greater Righteousness:

In his first great teaching on righteousness, Jesus provides six examples of what he means by practicing a greater righteousness.

III. Single-Minded Devotion to God: In his second and third teachings on righteousness, Jesus explains how disciples must be single-minded in their devotion to God. He concludes the Sermon by warning his disciples that they must do the words they have heard.

This program is a required “Scripture Day” for students  enrolled in Years 2, 3 and 4 of the Catholic Biblical School  (St.  Thomas Seminary CBS 200 and 400) and is ideal for Scripture enthusiasts at all levels of study.

 

 

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara A. Gawle

Epiphany of the Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6     Matthew 2:1-12

Jewel-toned Christmas cards depict kings in their finery, bearing opulent gifts and paying homage to one like their own, a newborn king. It is easy to get  caught up in the splendor of these beautiful images. But we must journey more deeply into these readings to extract a profound message of God’s revelation.

Having traveled about 800 miles, tradition tells us, the magi were foreigners, presumably from Persia. Guided by the light, these wise men came from a distant land to pay homage to the Christ Child.  In beholding this child they recognized him as one who would bring light and hope to all nations.

This is a reality that does not sit well with some of the Jewish people, the first custodians of God’s revelation, who thought they had exclusive possession of God and thus of the Messiah. There will, in fact, be many conflicts over this very notion, as the gospels unfold.

But while this child is paid homage as to royalty, there is also an ominous tone in the gifts the Magi present. Is there something of a foreshadowing of this child’s true mission? Gold given in recognition of his kingship, as well as divinity. Frankincense, the aromatic offering symbolizing his priestly nature. Myrrh, the anointing oil, perhaps prefiguring his passion and death.

We reflect this week on the child made manifest, adored by the wise, the LORD, the long-awaited one who will come to save all nations.  The wise still seek him.