Notes from Sunday February 9th, 2014

We began with a prayer for Theological Education Sunday.  After teaching the children what seminary was Fr. Brian asked what school do you go to be a priest?  And one of the children said, “cemetery.”

Bronson used this analogy to describe that sometimes when we learn about the specifics of our faith, it feels like being in a cemetery.

He then asked how we encounter God?

Answers: Other people, coincidences, moments in time.

How do know an AUTHENTIC encounter with God? 

Answer: Scripture is one way, because we look at it as the playbook for all Christians.

How then do we read the bible? 

Answers:

·         It's a study of sociology, history, psychology, which are being done all at the same time.   

·         Look for a topic, such as, sin.  Then we look it up in the concordance for all the scripture that relates to that topic.  Once we read them all, we think we have "the answer” to a specific topic.

·         Reading scripture with skepticism.  It's easy to think theologically in a high tower.  It is hard to apply it and see that following Jesus is to be with folks in the their place -- suffering, joy, etc.

DISCUSSION:

Scripture guides our "love affair with God" so we can be who God calls us to be in community.  Scripture becomes the first place to turn to find what God is calling me to be.  It speaks to the deep part of who were.  God's Word is not given to us deductively, for example, by looking up the meaning of sin.

The Bible is intimidating.  I look to the Bible for the answer.  When the answer is not what I want or it's not there, I turn to other sources.

If I believe God is within me, then God is within other humans, then why not look to other sources?

God speaks to us through prayer.  Rule of prayer and reading the bible, is that they go hand-in-hand.

Where is the discipline in the church?  Constantly giving thanks to God for all the little things, is a discipline.  Most people shared that they don't thank God at every calendar event throughout the day.

God said it, I believe it... is not a helpful way of reading the bible.

Some asked for resources.  NEXT WEEK Lesley-Ann is going to give us a look at one resource – Theological Reflection or Lectio Divina.

Bronson ended with the Merton Prayer:

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

• Thomas Merton, “Thoughts in Solitude”

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