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.