The Book of Mark
Fall 2005 Bible Study

Chapters 7-8

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Good evening

We are truly grateful for yet another stormy, spirited and glad gathering down in the Hall at the OCC (ol' country church). We had no facilitator so as usual one appeared and we were reminded of last weeks assignment - to bring a question, observation or verses of the text that touched us and be ready to share them - and we jumped right in! We journeyed all over the place intellectually, spiritually and emotionally, sometimes staying within Mark 7 & 8. There was so much going on at one point we had to take numbers for a turn to speak.

Some of the things discussed and questions asked dealt again with miracles and did they happen or not and does anyone care if they did or not. For example, if we discovered that beyond all doubt it was proven empirically that Jesus did not literally raise anyone from the dead, including himself, would it change how we felt about Jesus, about Christianity? Would we still listen, would we still follow. We asked questions about the Trinity and the Son of God concept. We spoke about sharing and of having enough. We shared experiences of asking God or Jesus questions and what may or may not have transpired. We shared some difficult places we may or not be at this point in our faith journey. All I can say, it is not really for the feint of heart and that is not to say there is no heart for I don't know that I have ever been with a more loving, caring, giving group of individuals.

When we broke for treats one more miracle occurred, maybe a carryover from last week?? We were dishing out pie of the most pumpkin-e-luscious variety when the one we loved jokingly asked, "where is the whipped cream?" wouldn't you know, from someone's outstretched hand appeared a can, cylindrical in shape, with pictures of real whipped cream on it. When it was found to actually contain whipped cream...well the rest is dream-filled history. Thanks Clarence!

We opened and closed with extremely synchronized readings which we include here...

Prayer of Thanks

I have spent a large part of my life teaching children to say "Thank you"..Thank you for the rain, thank you for the sun, thank you for the grass. Thank you for the stranger. Thank you for all the people of the world. I think that if we learn to say "thank you" for everything, we will come to realize that every thing has value; we come to respect it, to see it as sacred. I surprised myself and realized that every day is a good time to shout "thank you". And to realize that there is no one (and nothing) on earth that is not the way to God for me. I know that the moment we begin to look at everyone as a revelation of God, to say "thank you" for them; that racism would be over, world hunger would disappear, wars would be over..everything would be a gift, everyone would be sacred. All we have to do is learn to say "thank you" to become crazy, loving Christians let loose in the world to pollute it with love. Author unknown

And this homespun offering...

My Prayer

Let us give thanks for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and to the rebel, Jesus, who challenged the status quo and the society he lived in. Give us courage to follow his footsteps by being compassionate, inclusive and believing in his Good News, that our God is a God of total mercy and unconditional love. Let us ask our God that she teach us "how to dance with delight when she sends a new melody our way". Yes, let us give thanks to God and to our dear friends who sustain us in joy and in sorrow. Amen

Thanks Marlys

And to close we pondered..."Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep." Felix Frankfurter

And do to the intense nature of our questioning and breaking down and building up Jane felt it appropriate to read this one again...

Seasons Of Your Heart - Prayers and Reflections
Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.

Prayer for a Questioning Heart
It seems to me Lord
that we search
much too desperately
for answers
when a good question
holds as much grace
as an answer.

Jesus
you are the Great Questioner
Keep our questions alive
that we may always be seekers
rather than settlers.

Guard us well
from the sin of settling in
with our answers
hugged to our breasts.

Make of us
a wondering
far-sighted
questioning
restless people
And give us the feet of pilgrims
on this journey unfinished.

Thanks everyone

We will be gathering in Hospitality Hall the Tuesday before Christmas Dec 20, to read the Infancy Narratives again and share memories, good or not so good of Christmases past. Remembering what it was like when we were kids and recapturing for some of us, the magic of that time of year. Someone will bring cookies and please feel free to bring a candle to be lit on our alter.

Privileges for next week, read Mark 9 & 10

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Shalom
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694
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