Praying for One Another

Pray for one another, that you may be healed.

The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (James 5:16)

We in the Hartford Catholic Biblical School pray for one another every day. This week we ask prayers especially for two members of the CBS Class of 2015: Stephen and Linda Ward. Steve will be having heart valve surgery on Wednesday, November 5.

Pray also in thanksgiving for those--like our bishops, priests, and other church leaders--who sponsor or support our Biblical School! Without them, we would not have the means to bring so many adults into deep encounter with God's Word in Scripture.

And let us know your urgent needs so we may pray also for you and your loved ones.

Living and Leading in God's Word

The retreat team at St. Hedwig's Parish in Union City (Naugatuck) is living God's Word and helping prepare the parish for the 2015 World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia next September.

CBS first-year student, Norm Chouinard, is part of the effort to create two days of workshops at St. Hedwig's in Lent and summer 2015.

"These workshops will be grounded in the official catechesis of the event, called 'Love is our Mission' published by Our Sunday Visitor, writes Chouinard. "Our event will include panel discussions on relevant topics such as a Catholic biblical understanding of marriage and family, best practices for family survival by a Catholic humorist, and more.

If you are interested in hearing more about the event (and possibly creating something similar in your parish?), Norm Chouinard can be reached through St. Hedwig Church at 203-729-2490.

Blending into One: The Left Behind Movie and the "Rapture"

It’s a day like any other, and then—bam!—everything changes. Millions of people disappear in an instant and all that’s left are piles of clothes, iPods and wallets. Panic and terror break out. This is the scene that viewers are faced with in the new Left Behind movie, directed by Vic Armstrong, and it’s Nicolas Cage’s job to find out what’s happened. But the viewers already know the answer: it’s the Rapture, of course! The Biblical "prophecies" have come true.

Or have they?

The new Left Behind movie (2014) depicts the "Rapture," which is often assumed to be clearly explained in the Bible, especially the book of Revelation. It’s more complicated than that, says author Michelle Fletcher.

In a Biblical Archaeology Society online article, shows the evolution of the "rapture" idea: how late 19th century Christians strung together widely diverse Old and New Testament texts into a pattern of rapture-tribulation-Antichrist to make the biblical text answer questions that never would have occurred to late first-century believers. To follow the texts and see how they were put together to support this notion, click here to read the article in its entirety.

John Darby popularized the "Rapture" idea

Fletcher writes, "The common concept of the pre-tribulation Rapture ... is a modern creation assumed to be part of the final book of the Bible. But the book of Revelation doesn’t offer its readers the Rapture. It doesn’t even offer a clear ending. Rather, it offers wonder, awe and quite often bewildering strangeness. And that is why, unlike the new movie Left Behind, it’s so very, very intriguing." (emphasis not in original)

Fans of the (fictional) book series should of course go ahead and enjoy the movie. But keep in mind that it is a fictional interpretation of a modern religious point of view. It is by no means biblically grounded.

If you like the movie, though, I encourage you to wander through the Book of Revelation and encounter the intrigue you'll find there. As Fletcher tells us, you'll find "contradictory timeframes and undisclosed declarations, and every time the end is announced, it never actually arrives." The Book revolves around an endpoint rather than marching toward one. It is, in essence, a text that defies any framework placed onto it."

Weekly Bible Study - Exodus 22:20-26

19 October 2014

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time  

“My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword.”

Did our loving, life-affirming God just utter those words? 

Such references to violence and vengeance often turn people away from exploring the Old Testament. In fact, it is uncommon for the Church to use passages such as the above in its sacred liturgy. Even in the New Testament we see God striking sinners dead! (Read Acts 5.) How can there be any place for violence and vengeance in the Bible?

To understand, we first have to consider that Israel’s belief in one God (monotheism) developed over a loooong period of time. In its earliest history, the people who would become the nation of Israel imagined God as one of many gods. These gods were understood in very human terms, with human characteristics and behaviors reflecting the worldview of the time. From this perspective, it was important that Israel's God be strong enough to be able to take care of Israel. Perception is everything, and no one would follow a "wimpy" God--what was the point of a god, they thought, except to protect his or her people?

So early on, the Lord God of Israel was understood primarily as a “warrior” who went before Israel in battle. But as time went on, Israel came to understand that God's life-affirming role went beyond protecting God's people against their enemies. In particular, Israel's experience of exile enabled the nation to see God as the very fabric of their lives and of their hearts, the “creator” God whose love for them was expressed in many different ways.

And even today God's power is an important part of our understanding of who God is. Even as the ancient worldview of "many" gods moved aside for Israel's fierce monotheism, God's role as a warrior for the defenseless and upright continued (check out Exodus 22:20-23 and any of the prophetic writings--Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and so on).

Israel, like us, had to mature spiritually in an understanding of God. It is all part of the spiritual process that reveals a caring, merciful and just God to whom we draw closer each day in knowledge and love.

We really don't know our God if we don't know the contours of our relationship with God, from the beginning. The Catholic Biblical School can help with that!

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.

Living and Leading in God's Word

Ms. Donna Girard, Class of 2011, has started a Bible Study Group in her home town of Meriden using the Little Rock Scripture Study program. They are beginning this fall with Introduction to the Bible. She is also teaching the Bible for confirmation candidates at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church in Meriden.

What's happening in your faith community? How is your parish or school becoming an evangelizing community? Let us know by emailing catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org.

Joy of the Gospel #3

THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

11. Jesus can ... break through the dull categories with which we would enclose him, and he constantly amazes us by his divine creativity.

Whenever we make the effort to return to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel, new avenues arise, new paths of creativity open up, ... with new meaning for today’s world.

Afterword: Creativity in union with God's Spirit is the mark of our partnership with the Creator. 

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." Romans 8:14, NABRE


Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

Weekly Bible Study - Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

19 October 2014

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Hebrew Scriptures it was not unusual for God to anoint a king to prepare him to bring about His divine plan. We think first of David and Solomon, of course.

But today's liturgy teaches us about another king: Cyrus the Great, Founder of the Persian Empire (modern day Iran). What is surprising is that God chooses Cyrus, a pagan king, to be God's instrument of salvation! Well we might wonder: Has God run out of other options? Are there no Israelites faithful enough to be chosen?" Isaiah shows us that, once again, God brings salvation in unexpected ways.

Historically, Cyrus established a policy of compassion toward the peoples that Babylon had brought into exile. Cyrus resettled the exiled Israelites, allowed them to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem and in this way restored their hope.

The Cyrus Cylinder, 6th c. BCE, shows Cyrus's actual edict

In the Second Book of Chronicles we also read: “The LORD stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom and declared in a written edict: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him! Let him go up.”

If God can stir up compassion in the heart of the pagan king, Cyrus, surely God can stir any one of us for a unique role in his plan of salvation. We may not know God as fully as we’d like or feel worthy of a noble calling, but God looks deeply into our hearts and sees one who can achieve great things for the sake of His kingdom. But God depends on us to respond in love, learning how God works in the world and cooperating as a partner in God’s Holy Plan.

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.

Saint Luke the Evangelist

St. Luke painting Theotokos (Moraca Monastery, Montenegro, Serbia, 1672-73).
Image compliments of St. Isaac of Syria Skete,

Today is the feast day of the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Did you know that in ancient tradition, Saint Luke the Evangelist is considered to be the first iconographer? He is said to have painted an image of the Mother of God (in Greek, Theotokos) during her earthly lifetime.

Certainly the author of Luke-Acts "paints" the fullest picture in the New Testament of Jesus' mother, Mary, whom he honors as the first disciple.

Throughout art history, Saint Luke has been depicted either painting or writing. His symbol is the winged ox, representative of sacrifice, a theme early identified with the Gospel of Luke. Saint Luke is the patron saint of artists, physicians, surgeons, students and butchers.



To see more icons or to purchase reproductions, click here: St. Isaac of Syria Skete.

CBS Recommends—Will the "REEL" Moses and Mary Please Stand Up?

FILM LECTURE—

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Mary

Dr. Richard Freund, world-renowned archeologist, Director of the Maurice Greenberg Center at the University of Hartford, and sometime lecturer for the Biblical School, will look at snippets of these two upcoming, biblically inspired Hollywood blockbusters. Known for his wit and wisdom, Dr. Freund's presentation is sure to be both entertaining and inspiring--AND, you'll be the first on your block to see portions of these (potentially) epic movies!

The Real/Reel Moses and Mary in Film and Archeology

Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 pm

University of Hartford's Dana Center, Mali II Lecture Hall

Limited Seating. Registrations required: 860-768-5018 or mgcjs@hartford.edu

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

Christians and Jews study together at Mali II Lecture Hall, UHart

Nothing “Dead” About the Dead Sea Scrolls

From 1947 to this day, Christians and Jews alike have grown in understanding and faith through insights raised by the greatest cache of ancient biblical manuscripts discovered in modern times.

On the evening of October 14 the Catholic Biblical School and the University of Hartford came together to explore what John the Baptist, Jesus and Paul all have in common with the faith of the Essenes, that exclusive pre-rabbinic sect of Judaism whose vast library is represented today by what we call the “Dead Sea Scrolls” (so called because the materials were found at Qumran, on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea).

The Essene monastic community was destroyed in 68 AD, but its texts live on in thousands of ancient manuscripts and fragments. These texts continue to raise many fascinating questions not only about this obscure Jewish sect, but about its contemporary religious movements: Christianity and rabbinic Judaism (the ancestor of Judaism today).

Dr. Adolfo Roitman, Curator of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, correlated New Testament texts relating to John the Baptist (MK 1:1-5); Jesus (MT 5:43-44 and MK 11:15-17); and St. Paul (2 COR 6:14-16) with sayings found in the Community Rule scrolls found at Qumran. He tells us the bottom line is this: Christians and Essenes were both, in their origins, pre-rabbinical Jews.

Twenty-five CBS students, alums, and other Catholic leaders joined in study with UHart’s Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies for this unique educational opportunity.

"Micro" Catechism for Busy Adults

God chooses to mediate his graces through the sacraments.

On the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit made the Church visible and manifest to the entire world. Peter’s and all the apostles’ preaching that brought about the baptism of thousands was the birth of a new age – the age of the Church. In this age of the Church, Christ manifests, makes present, and communicates his work of salvation through his Church’s liturgy.

In this age of the Church, Christ lives and acts in and with his Church in a new way appropriate to this new age. He acts through the sacraments in what is called “the sacramental economy.” ...This sacramental "economy" ... is the communication or “dispensation” of the fruits of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

Each sacrament, celebrated by the Church in the name of Christ, is an action of God by which God seeks to pour out his gifts and graces. Each sacrament has effects that are unique to it.

We can therefore rightly expect that our access to God’s gift of forgiveness comes first and foremost through the sacraments.

Reflection Question
Think of one time in which you were part of a sacramental celebration and in which you were powerfully aware of God’s grace [active presence] being poured out in that sacrament. How did you come away from that experience different?

Scripture to Explore 
Acts of the Apostles 1-4
 
Additional References
Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1076, 1110, 1113, 1123, 1129
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults pp. 168-170
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation MA.2.2.1, MA.2.2.5, MA.2.2.5

Resource for Adult Faith Formation
Prepared for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Distributed courtesy of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

© Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Permission is hereby granted to all (arch)dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and other ecclesial entities to reproduce this document in whole or in part, in whatever form is most expedient, for the purposes of catechizing the People of God, provided that the copyright information on this page is included in its entirety. This grant does not diminish the rights reserved hereunder.

Weekly Bible Study - Isaiah 25:6-10

12 October 2014

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

These days, celebrations are usually focused around the consumption of food. There’s no denying that we all love a good repast! Long after everyone has gone home, what do we remember best: the connections and conversations or the delightful delicacies?

The prophet Isaiah sets the table of our imagination with a tangible reality: the rich and sumptuous banquet the Lord will provide for all people. This imagery offers hope to a downtrodden people. The hope Israel needed is cast in a powerful image to free at least their hearts from bondage. Isaiah is assured in the depths of his heart that God will deliver Israel from “the veil of death” and the people will celebrate with feasting and thanksgiving!

We have that same assurance as we approach the eucharistic table. In the mystery we celebrate, Jesus removes the veil of death and gives us the hope of eternal life.

Wow! Read that last sentence again, and think about it for a moment. More than any birthday or holiday, isn’t eternal life something to CELEBRATE?

And as we, as Body of Christ, gather around the eucharistic table celebrating our deliverance from death, is our gathering a joyful celebration, as described by Isaiah? Do we truly rejoice when we gather to "celebrate" our release from sin and separation?

For the Israelites, the banquet was a powerful image of rejoicing in hope of deliverance from oppression. For us, the eucharistic banquet is that, but more. Our banquet is a powerful reality, a sacrament that brings about the very thing we celebrate: Christ breaking forever the bonds of sin and death.

This is the Lord to whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!

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. 

Living and Leading in God's Word

Devotion to Sacred Scripture is thriving at St. Francis Xavier in New Milford, thanks to Maura Pauli, Class of 2012, and her pastor, Fr. Larry Parent, OFM.

On Thursdays at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, about forty people are attending a Threshold Bible Study, "Mysteries of the Rosary." The program connects the mysteries of the rosary with the portrait of Mary found in the Bible.

Fr. Larry is enthusiastic about the Bible Studies Maura has been leading for over a year, now. He notes that Maura brings a deep spirituality, faith commitment, and Christian kindness to the sessions.

What's happening in your faith community? Let us know by emailing catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org.

Who Were the First Christians?

Reminder: Tuesday, October 14, 7:00 pm, Univ. of Hartford, Dana Center, Mali I Auditorium
Prof. Adolfo Roitman, Curator of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Shrine of the Book, Jerusalem


We will gather for carpooling from St. Thomas Seminary main entrance (the circle around the flag pole) at 6:15. The last car will leave the circle promptly at 6:30. Thank you, to all who agreed to help drive.

For those who will be meeting us there, here is a map of the UHart campus. I have highlighted in yellow the location of the auditorium, as well as the route we will take from St. Thomas Seminary. A link to this map is also available online at www.orehartford.org under "Upcoming Events."

This event is free and open to the public.

 

Joy of the Gospel #2

Foreword: Something to consider as you look at the candidates in the upcoming elections:

THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

No. 53. Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded. ...Those excluded are no longer society’s underside or its fringes or its disenfranchised – they are no longer even a part of it....

54. In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naïve trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system.

Meanwhile, the excluded are still waiting.

Afterword: Emphases not in the original.

Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

Weekly Bible Study - Philippians 4:6-9

5 October 2014

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Brothers and sisters: Have no anxiety at all

Really? Easy as that, is it, Paul?

Who among us can say we have no anxiety? Is St. Paul out of touch with reality? And get this: Paul is writing these words while in prison. I personally would be at the end of my rope in that situation.

But Paul advises the Philippians (and us) to find “that peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” He has tested his own waters of hardship and suffering. From his experience Paul suggests that we deal with our often unsettled spirits with thankful prayer.

What if we were to come to God with a thankful heart, even in situations that give us anxiety? Would it make any difference in the way we receive our given circumstances? Would it make a difference in the way we receive the Giver (God)? A thankful spirit is open to what God has in store for us and trusts that the Lord knows best. It's the kind of trust we can and should aspire to acquire.

Paul offers advice on how to get there. When we are anxious, can we teach our minds to replace the destructive force of an uneasy spirit with "whatever is gracious"? Can we surrender to the Lord’s grace and peace all that is shackled within us, so that we can be freed from the imprisonment of our anxious fears?

Paul would teach us to reach out with expectation for the peace of knowing that, in all circumstances, God's graceful presence means that all will be well (somehow).

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 Fr. Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Joy of the Gospel #1

Foreword: Pope Francis' Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium in Latin) is, as one might expect, a profound and joy-filled document. This is the first of a new series of posts, to appear twice each month, which will help people gain a window into this inspiring document--a document that cuts to the very heart of the Catholic Biblical School's own mission.

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM
OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

28. The parish is not an outdated institution…. This presumes that it really is in contact with the homes and the lives of its people, and does not become a useless structure out of touch with people or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few.

29. Other Church institutions ... are a source of enrichment for the Church, raised up by the Spirit.... Frequently they bring a new evangelizing fervour and a new capacity for dialogue with the world whereby the Church is renewed.

But it will prove beneficial for them not to lose contact with the rich reality of the local parish .... This kind of integration will prevent them from concentrating only on part of the Gospel or the Church, or becoming nomads without roots.

Afterword: The Hartford Catholic Biblical School perpetually seeks ways to be "a source of enrichment for parishes," bringing a "new evangelizing fervour and a new capacity for dialogue" to parishes. Our structure, our faculty, and most of our students are intimately connected to "the rich reality of the local parish," being, as it is, authorized by Archbishop Leonard Blair and propagated with the assistance of pastors and parishes.

Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization