|
This is the first in a series of articles which will help readers better understand how Catholics approach the Bible.
Clifford M. Yeary
Does your Bible use a lot of footnotes and cross-references? Some Bible translations are better than others in their use of cross-references, footnotes and introductions. These often help both beginning and experienced readers of the Bible enhance their study. While some versions are noted for having extensive footnotes, all too often, readers shy away from footnotes, thinking they might be too technical or just interrupt the flow of their reading.
In some versions of the Bible, footnotes can help readers gain valuable spiritual insights or make practical, daily applications from biblical messages. Footnotes are also used to help clear up questions that frequently occur after reading a particular passage of the Bible, as well as providing historical data and good theological insights into the meaning of a text.
Footnotes sometimes present different possibilities for translating a text. No one English or Spanish word ever perfectly matches a Greek or Hebrew word of the Bible. The Greek and Hebrew texts from which the Bible is translated are not the original texts. They are copies of copies, all hand written over many generations, and they do not always agree word for word, so different translations are possible.
Many Bibles include an extensive list of cross-references to additional Bible passages that help a reader to see how biblical themes and events found in one passage are treated in other sections of the Bible.
Consulting more than one version of the Bible can be a good study practice, but not all Bibles are created equal. Not every study Bible really is one. Avoid those that are intended to affirm the beliefs of just one narrow segment of the Christian population. Whether in English or Spanish, there are excellent Catholic versions of several Bibles, some of which were originally intended for Protestant churches. When purchasing a Bible, consider the value good footnotes and cross-references might add to your understanding of Scripture.
Spending time with cross-references and footnotes will richly enhance your study of Scripture. Skipping these notes and references might speed up your reading, but reading the Bible is not for speed readers anyway. Read carefully, check out the notes and the references, you will grow to appreciate them more and more.
There are many translations of the Bible available for personal devotion and study these days and more come out all the time. Little Rock Scripture Study recently released The Four Gospels, a personal study edition of the New American Bible translation of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In addition to the NAB’s authoritative footnotes, references and introductions, the LRSS edition features many additional study and devotional resources from outstanding Catholic scholars. Within the not too distant future, LRSS hopes to release a study edition of the entire Bible in a similar format to The Four Gospels, using the most current revisions of the New American Bible as possible. |
Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB
“He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.”
It seems reasonable to believe that Jesus’ return to his homeland would be a joy for the people yet his return did not turn out to be a welcoming experience. What went wrong? Why were his hometown people not open to the wisdom he had gathered over the years? Were they jealous of his popularity? Did the fact that he was returning with disciples intimidate them? Did something he said in his teachings hit too close to home? Why did they take offense at him? We do not know nor can we fully understand the reasons for this rejection. Perhaps the townspeople simply could not fathom that an ordinary person from their ranks could actually be a chosen vessel of God, a prophet, a rabbi.
They raised questions about the source of his wisdom. Where did this eloquence come from? He’s just one of us! Perhaps this text is calling us to look with new eyes at our own families, relatives, neighbors—those we think we know so well. It is possible to live side by side with people who seem boringly ordinary; yet if the telescope of the heart’s mind would be given its fair chance we might see magnificent lives full of courage and wisdom that would amaze and surprise us. We need more assistance than the lens of the eye can give. The deep eye includes the marriage of the mind and heart. Oh, for the grace to truly see to the depths of another person without making judgments about them.
Thus Jesus came to his own homeland and was not truly seen. Sometimes we do not literally reject a person; we just don’t see them. I recall a woman sharing with me an incident from her teen years. She worked hard for the grades she achieved in school. She was not a natural with learning. It had always been a chore but she applied herself with great abandon. She shared with me a painful memory about a time when she had poured over her books late into the night, happily made a very good score on her tests only to have her parents suggest that she had cheated because her grades were too good. They simply didn’t see her. Not being seen feels just like rejection.
Jesus was not truly seen or heard when he preached in his hometown of Nazareth. They thought they knew him. He was the son of Joseph, the carpenter. His mother was Mary. All of his family and relatives were known to them. How could one of their own town folks speak with such grace and authority? It does appear that they were impressed with Jesus’ teaching for the text says, “They were astonished…” This means that they were filled with wonder. However, their admiration was short lived. They could have chosen to surrender to the beauty and truth of Jesus’ words. They could have, perhaps, found faith. They chose instead to acquiesce to their own fears and suspicions.
Perhaps it was the miracle of the ordinary that they missed. Recently I found a lovely poem by Pat Schneider, The Patience of Ordinary Things. In her poem she suggests that the ordinary things that serve us each day (the cup holding the tea—the floor receiving the soles of shoes) are waiting for us to become aware of their loving service. I prayed this poem reflecting on the ordinariness of our lives and began to echo the thoughts of the poet. It is a little blessing how startling truths can rise out of the mouths of very ordinary people. It is indeed a grace to discover that you do not have to come from royalty to speak words that heal, comfort and challenge. God’s words can pour out of any container, rusted or gold. The burning question is, Can we find faith? Are we able to hear the good news, or, do we give in to the prejudices and fears of the crowds?
Matthew tells us that Jesus did not work many great deeds in his native village because he found there a lack of faith. Mark’s version of this story (Mark 6:1-6) suggests that he was unable to work many great miracles there because of their unbelief. Sadly the village people were not able to choose faith. They did not allow faith to be born in their hearts. Their guard was up because they thought they knew Jesus. Their guarded hearts prevented their receptivity and so not much happened. Faith is able to see the hand of God in the events of daily life because it doesn’t have its guard up.
Are there “guards” you need to surrender so that something refreshingly new might happen in your life?Your next word to romance is Mark 6:45-52
Susan McCarthy
This article is the first in a series which will update you on the lives and work of those on the LRSS staff
In a recent e-mail a customer commented, “I am constantly impressed with their (the LRSS staff) energy and creativity which makes our job easier here at the parish level”. That, I thought at the time, is a credit to the Director of our office, Cackie Upchurch. Cackie does her own work of writing, speaking and managing our partnership ties with Liturgical Press in addition to her responsibilities for our ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock. She also guides the rest of our staff in serving the needs of our LRSS users, including providing new, enriching material.
This past July marked the twentieth anniversary of Cackie’s move from teaching young women at Mt. St. Mary High School in Little Rock to working in the area of adult faith formation in her ministry with Little Rock Scripture Study.
Cackie began her ministry as an Associate Director with responsibility for developing new studies and revising existing studies as well as presenting workshops in dioceses around the country. During that time she was a frequent presenter of our audio and video wrap-up lectures.
In May 1998, Cackie was appointed the Director of LRSS. During the last eleven years she has been responsible for the initiation of our “A Year of Sundays/Un Año de Domingo” booklets; the writing and development of many new editions of LRSS Bible study guides using the New Collegeville Bible Commentaries and served as editor of our newest publication, The Four Gospels. Cackie also works as editor for scholars who are contacted to write commentaries for LRSS. Cackie travels around the country and to other countries helping introduce people to LRSS.
In addition to her responsibilities in the Little Rock office, Cackie is on the teaching staff for the Permanent Diaconate Formation program for the Diocese of Little Rock, and serves as well as an instructor in the diocesan Theology Institute. She also provides instruction in adult education and formation programs in area Catholic parishes.
Cackie is currently serving on the Editorial Board of The Bible Today, a pastoral and scholarly periodical published six times a year.
So, dear friends, if you too are impressed with the energy and creativity which comes from the LRSS Office, you can thank its Director, Cackie Upchurch!
Cackie Upchurch
In just a few short weeks we will enter into the season of anticipation and hopeful waiting – Advent. This season affords us the opportunity to reflect on the incarnation of Christ and the meaning of God’s indescribable gift in the way we live. Studying the Infancy Narratives of Jesus is a perfect way to join with others who want to focus on the spiritual significance of this time of year. To supplement that group study, consider one or two additional titles for personal reflection.
Joseph F. Kelly has written a new and very readable book entitled The Birth of Jesus According to the Gospels(Liturgical Press). The author methodically works through the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke providing solid scholarship to situate the texts in their time and connect them to Israel’s own stories and hopes. What is most attractive about this book is that each section is followed by thoughtful personal reflections that help to bring the ancient story into the present.
Quite different in style, Stations of the Crib by Joseph Nassal (Ave Maria Press) uses the gospel narratives as a framework for fifteen “stations” that take the reader from Advent to Epiphany. The key to this brief volume is how each station elicits connections to our own life journey and serves as encouragement to hope.
Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical cycle for our church. In this upcoming year (Year C), our Sunday gospel proclamations will focus largely on The Gospel According to Luke. Focusing our personal attention on Luke in the coming months will heighten our appreciation for the Liturgy of the Word in our parish eucharistic celebrations.
Luke for Everyone (Westminster John Knox Press) is the work of Anglican Bishop Tom (N.T.) Wright. The writing style is simple, practical, and powerful. Reading his commentary is like having a conversation with a good and trusted mentor. Another very fine resource on Luke is written by Brendan Byrne and is entitled The Hospitality of God (Liturgical Press). His obvious combination of scholarship and faith, along with his ability to write with a sense of brevity, makes this a wonderful companion to a study of Luke.
Cackie Upchurch
Jesus asked Bartimaeus a simple question: “What do you want me to do for you?” and the blind man offered an honest reply, “I want to see” (Mark 10:46, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time). It doesn’t get any clearer than that, and the applications to our lives are multiple and obvious.
If you have been given new sight or insight as a result of studying and praying with Scripture, by all means share your story. I am convinced that one of the reasons many adults have trouble committing to Bible study is that they’re not sure how it will affect their lives. What has Jesus done for you that you could share with others? What do you see happening in your Scripture study groups? Share the good news and invite others to come and see what might happen in their lives.
If you have a story to share about how Scripture study has affected your life or the life of your parish, please send it to smccarthy@dolr.org Perhaps we’ll find a way to publicize it in our newsletter.
This year’s Bible Institute was attended by 112 people and received very positive reviews. Ronald Witherup, SS, spoke about the pastoral legacy of Saint Paul. Bible Institute 2010 will focus on Genesis and our speaker will be Dr. Pauline Viviano from Loyola University in Chicago. Mark your calendars now for June 18-20, 2010.
The new study of James, Peter, and Jude: The Catholic Letters (study set, answer guide, wrap-up lectures) is now available. This seven-session study focuses on the early church and its struggle to remain faithful to the gospel. Its message is as relevant now as it was centuries ago.
The Four Gospels: Catholic Personal Study Edition has been receiving excellent response from those who are beginning to use it for personal study and to supplement their group experiences. See what others are saying at our website: www.littlerockscripture.org/en/quotes.html. It’s also a great idea for a Christmas gift.
A Year of Sundays 2010/Un Año de Domingos 2010are also available now. This new edition is in a larger, easier to read format and sell for $3.00 a copy ($1.50 for purchase of over thirty copies). Also, the books will be available at litpress.org beginning in October as e-Books that can be purchased ($1.00) to be downloaded to your computers or hand-held devices.
While we still do receive occasional requests for wrap-up lectures in VHS format, this option will not be available after June 2010. Wrap-up lectures continue to be available in DVD or CD formats as listed on our website and in our catalog.
Informational and Enrichment Workshops offer clear information, hands-on experience, and practical tips for establishing and growing Bible study using LRSS materials and methods. For very little expense, a diocese can arrange to host a workshop that will benefit parishes throughout the diocese. For more information, contact: Susan McCarthy, RDC, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217; (501) 664-6102 or (501) 366-5691; or by email at smccarthy@dolr.org.
November 1-4, 2009
Mid-South Catholic Leadership Conference
Cadiz, KY
November 14, 2009
Informational Workshop
Birmingham, AL
January 30 and 31, 2010
Informational Workshop
Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Copyright © 2009 Little Rock Scripture Study. All rights reserved.