Discerning the Presence of God (Part One)

This winter, advanced students in the Biblical School are studying the post-exilic period of the Old Testament. We've been talking about how different biblical books show faithful Jews as responding in a variety of ways to the Hellenization ("Greek-izing") of Judaism in this time period.

"The Book of Jonah" observed one student, "Recognizes the value of all human life, Jew and Gentile alike, while other books, like Tobit, encourage Jews to remain as separate from foreign cultures as possible. Why is that? Doesn't the Bible teach us God's will?"

The Bible shows us human beings in communities of faith seeking to discern God's presence in their lives. God's presence, according to the Old Testament covenant, is found in right relationship with God and others. (Right relationship is translated in English Bibles, misleadingly, as "fear of the Lord.")

That is, the Old Testament urges us to know better our Creator and ourselves if we are to live in right relationship (covenant), and that the sign of this right relationship is "awe and respect" (translated misleadingly in English Bibles as "fear of the Lord.") before God.


In biblical times, the choice between holding fast to one's faith sometimes meant separating the community from what were seen as harmful influences in the dominant cultures (like Persian, Greek and Roman cultures). At other times believers were called to a "3 R" approach:

• recognizing God's presence in the dominant culture,
• reaching out to share the faith community's wisdom with these others, and  
• realizing what wisdom might be found in the other, new perspective.

And it's possible that, at the very same time and place, what is the best course of action (the best act of love) for one group or individual might not be the best course of action for another.


In the Old Testament, even apparently "conflicting" teachings (like those in Jonah and Tobit) are all considered sacred and inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is up to the faithful, with the guidance of the Church, to discern the meaning of each and how to live the Word of God day by day.

(And, of course, the Biblical School is designed to help you in the process!)

Cancelled: A Festival of Lessons and Carols

St. Mark's is experiencing difficulties with church maintenance that have, sadly, required the cancellation of their annual Festival of Lessons and Carols.

Proverb for Today

"Multitasking is the enemy of mindfulness."

(Remember to submit to BJ your favorite proverbs for publication any time!)

With Thanksgiving to God

The prayer that I say (sing, actually) every single day for the Hartford Catholic Biblical School—for students, faculty and administration, colleagues in other Biblical Schools and at Paulist Press, and Archbishop Mansell himself—is a prayer of thanksgiving in song, recorded by the Monks of the Weston Priory in their album, "Go Up to the Mountain." (Click on the link to order the song from their website.)

On this Thanksgiving Day, I wish to share this prayer with you, my friends:

With thanksgiving to God our prayer is
Always filled with profound joy for you
When we think of the strength you are for others
And letting God live in you with such beauty and truth.

May your faith become strong in God's Word,
Certain land having been planted in you:
Thirst for wisdom and sensing Spirit's presence,
A life within, deep instilled, will inspire others' joy.

May God's Spirit of Peace be with you,
Living sign of the love that you share;
May your homes be filled with goodness and caring,
A place where there's no difference between stranger and friend.

May God's Presence be what you offer
As you welcome each other this day;
Simple kindness the bread of our lives,
A word of peace, a gentle mood, is God's gift to be shared.

Amen my friends, and Happy Thanksgiving!