Pope Francis On Moving Forward in Mercy

Excerpted from

APOSTOLIC LETTER

Misericordia et
misera

5. Now, at the conclusion of this Jubilee, it is time to look to the future and to understand how best to continue, with joy, fidelity and enthusiasm, experiencing the richness of divine mercy. Our communities can remain alive and active in the work of the new evangelization in the measure that the “pastoral conversion” to which we are called[3] will be shaped daily by the renewing force of mercy. Let us not limit its action; let us not sadden the Spirit, who constantly points out new paths to take in bringing to everyone the Gospel of salvation.

[Aside: Did you realize that we sadden the Spirit when we limit the paths to the Gospel of salvation? What a daunting realization!]

. . .

7. The Bible is the great story of the marvels of God’s mercy. Every one of its pages is steeped in the love of the Father who from the moment of creation wished to impress the signs of his love on the universe. Through the words of the prophets and the wisdom writings, the Holy Spirit shaped the history of Israel as a recognition of God’s tenderness and closeness, despite the people’s infidelity. Jesus’ life and preaching decisively marked the history of the Christian community, which has viewed its mission in terms of Christ’s command to be a permanent instrument of his mercy and forgiveness (cf. Jn 20:23). ... I greatly desire that God’s word be increasingly celebrated, known and disseminated, so that the mystery of love streaming from this font of mercy may be ever better understood.

Advent Blessings!

Fr. Tom Stegman, Lecturer in the Catholic Biblical School, with Pope Francis this October

National Bible Week Quote of the Day

Ken Foisie, CBS Class of 2010 sent this to Jill Costa today:

I loved your quote and it inspired me to submit one of my very favorites. As a matter of fact, I'm leading an adult Bible study in three parishes. We are currently in the midst of the Divided Kingdom and the Exile - of course, full of doom and destruction - and I wanted to conclude the last session on an upbeat note. So I turned to one of my favorites from one of the least quoted of the prophets, Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV), for inspiration. This verse, I feel, really gets us inside the heart of God.

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save;  He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing."

Can you imagine that? He's mightier than all our sins, a Savior who saves, and loves us and is so excited about being reconciled to us that it makes Him burst into song! Wow.

So whenever I'm feeling down or disappointed, I often go to this verse and the picture of God's love for us.  It's every reason to rejoice.

We love hearing about the great work you all are doing in your faith communities to bring God's Word to others. Thanks, Ken, for your post today!

National Bible Week Quote of the Day

Today's biblical quote of the day comes from the American Bible Society's National Bible Week novena,* compiled from the work of Bishop Robert Barron of Los Angeles:

Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: this is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! (Nu 6:23-26)

I especially like how Bishop Barron connects this text to God's fierce desire for us. He writes, "Think of the experience of being gazed upon by someone who loves you and whom you love. In that gaze—penetrating, knowing, benign—you find, not oppression, but joy and peace. That's how God looks upon you."

*To see the rest of Bishop Barron's reflections and to pray the entire novena, click here: http://american-bible-society.journeymaker.org/mercy/days/2/96bc7a22e6819f6a27598843c74da16920f958bd.

Archaeology is a Big Hit! Next up...

Sixty folks from thirty-nine faith communities attended our most recent Biblical School Continuing Education program! As usual, Dr. Freund was informative and entertaining. His recent discoveries in Nazareth bring ancient Christian and Jewish worship sites to light.

Photo courtesy of the Times of IsraelDetail of ancient floor discovered this summer at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation

Our next offering will be Advent-themed. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Here are some details:

The Catholic Biblical School and Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry present

Bringing Laudato Si to Life

During the Christmas Season and Beyond

•        Sunday, December 4, 2016, 1:30-4:00 pm
•        Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary
•        Fair Trade “Coffee And” (cocoa, biscotti, friendship) beginning at 1:00 pm

Drawing on a Bible-based spirituality and the Hebrew concept of Tikkun Olam (healing/repairing the world), Sr. Ruth Rosenbaum, Executive Director of CREA* will lead us in an afternoon of exploring how we can live up to the challenges presented by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si.

Register by clicking here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSclfsRmUdhlg8C9liWGlcU3aqJ6yEGDQ4SnlspdRowAEAffxA/viewform?c=0&w=1

Join Us for Lunch During National Bible Week

When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday November 14, 15, 17, 12:30-1 pm

Where: St. Thomas Seminary Conference Room 1C

What For?: Information about the Catholic Biblical School (bring a friend!)

And on Friday, November 18 at 12:15, Room 1C, we will have an informal round table discussion of the question:

Is the Old Testament a Book of Mercy Too?

Bring your lunch, your questions, your insights--as well as those Bible passages that comfort or trouble you--and join BJ and other biblically-minded folks for conversation about the meaning of the Old Testament in Christian faith.

*Bible Quote for the Day:

Ephesians 1:7-10 In him [Jesus] we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

*Bible Quote for the Day provided by Jill Costa, CBS Class of 2010

National Bible Week Quote of the Day:

*Quote submitted by Jill Costa, CBS Class of 2010:

Wisdom 9:16-18

Artistic Depiction: Lady Wisdom

Scarcely can we guess the things on earth,
             and only with difficulty grasp what is at hand;

But things in heaven, who can search them out?
             Or who can know your counsel, unless you give wisdom
             and send your holy spirit from on high?

Thus were the paths of those on earth made straight,
             and people learned what pleases you,
             and were saved by Wisdom.

Of course, the author of the Book of Wisdom, writing in about 50 BCE (BC) had an unusual viewpoint, for an Old Testament author (e.g., being "saved by Wisdom"). This author incorporated many of the ideas of Greek philosophy into traditional Jewish faith, recognizing the inspiration of God was working among diverse peoples.

Still, the Book of Wisdom comes to the same conclusion as the more traditional writings: Wisdom is a gift from God that cannot be earned or purchased; but it is essential for living lives of holiness.

When we encounter people who are different from us, are we likely to look for God's presence in them too, and in those encounters?

*Please feel free to send me your own favorite Bible quotation for publication in this blog, this week. Please include a full citation and the translation quoted.