In this Issue

Bible Basics

Romancing the Word

Workshops in Toronto Well Planned and Well Received

Parishes Using LRSS

Lilly Hess, the off-screen presence on every wrap-up lecture

Recommended Reading

From the Director

Good News Briefs

The Scenic Route

GOOD NEWS BRIEFS

For those of you attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (March 19–21, 2010), Cackie Upchurch, the Director of LRSS will offer two workshops: "Principles and Passion for Parish Bible Study" and "Gospel People Believe the News is Good." Fr. Ronald Witherup, SS, (Bible Institute speaker and co-editor with Cackie of The Four Gospels) will also present two workshops: "Charismatic Compulsion: St. Paul as a Model for Evangelization Today" and "From Darkness to Light: Exploring Conversion in Luke-Acts for the Year of Luke."

This year's LRSS Bible Institute will be held at St. John's in Little Rock, June 18-20, 2010. Our presenter will be Pauline Viviano, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology at Loyola University in Chicago. The topic, "Catholics Consider Creation" will be developed using the Book of Genesis. More information will be available this spring on our website, or call our office at 501-664-6102.

Plan ahead for a new study, Pilgrim People, which includes five sessions and will be published in August. The study will explore Scriptures that demonstrate the experience of God's people as sojourners, wanderers, and pilgrims, with an awareness of Christian life as a journey. Clifford M. Yeary is the author of the commentary and Cackie Upchurch is author of the study guide.

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The Scenic Route

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.

Exhibits:

March 19-21, 2010
Los Angeles Religious Education Congress
Anaheim, CA

April 19-21, 2010
National Conference of Catechetical Leaders
Las Vegas, NV

May 10-13, 2010
Spring Enrichment
Albany, NY

Workshops:

March 6, 2010
Enrichment Workshop
Diocese of Albany

May 11, 2010
Informational Workshop
Diocese of Albany

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LIttle Rock
Scripture Study

Direct editorial questions or ideas to:
Susan McCarthy, RDC
LRSS Office
P.O. Box 7565
Little Rock, AR 72217

www.littlerockscripture.org

Editor: Susan McCarthy, RDC

Managing Editors: Kris Isaacson, Deb Lampert-Pflueger

Contributors: Paul M. Howard, Susan McCarthy, RDC, Cackie Upchurch, Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, Clifford M. Yeary

Translators: Maria Teresa de Bourbon, RDC, Rosa Maria Icaza, CCVI

The material in this newsletter may be reproduced only with the consent of Little Rock Scripture Study.

Bible Basics

This is the second in a series of articles which will help readers better understand how Catholics approach the Bible.

Truth to Tell: The Bible Isn’t Always Historical

Clifford M. Yeary

We read the Bible confident that its message is capable of transforming history. As the Gospel of John tells us (20:31),"These are written that you may (come to) believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name."

The four gospels of the New Testament canon are more than just reliable accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The words of these divinely inspired writings bring us directly into the presence of the living Christ. We are not simply told what Jesus said and did. In attentively responding to their proclamation we truly encounter the one whose life and message are recorded on their pages.

Discerning the historical origins of each gospel can significantly help us in accessing each one’s special message to us. Yet, because the one they proclaim to us is the living, risen Christ, the gospels have a message that transcends history itself.

Their purpose is not to minutely account for the historical details of Jesus' life. Breaking through the confines of history, the gospels communicate the meaning of history. They are often less concerned for the precise details of history than they are for delivering the essential truth of salvation.

When we read the Gospel of John, for example, we learn that when Jesus cleansed the temple he did it at the beginning of an apparent three year ministry. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus cleanses the temple just before his arrest and there is nothing to tell us that his public ministry lasted more than a single year. No gospel expects us to agonize over reconciling the historical questions these details provoke.

As faithful readers, we are expected to respond to Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in the context of the particular gospel in which we read it. Each account of the cleansing will tell us something special about why Jesus acted as he did. We may wonder when exactly he did it, but discovering the insights each gospel gives us into the event will expand our vision of Christ.

Without concluding anything about whether Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning or the end of his public ministry, scholars see in the cleansing important messages about Jesus in both John and the Synoptic Gospels. In John, Jesus is presented as the new temple, the dwelling place of God par excellence. By placing the cleansing of the temple near the beginning of his ministry, John can continue to call the reader’s attention to this thematic truth as his gospel progresses. In the synoptic Gospels, the cleansing of the temple brings the religious leaders’ opposition to Jesus to a climax and provides an explanation for their determination to arrest him and put him to death. In John, Jesus freely chooses the cross and the reason behind his arrest and crucifixion is supplied more simply by opposition to the "light" Jesus brings into the world.

Something similar can be said about every book in the Bible. Each has a part to play in proclaiming God’s message of salvation to a world in deep need of redemption.

No single book of the Bible actually represents a type of history text where the primary purpose was to chronicle the exact details of history. History is important in many books of the Bible, but historical detail always plays a subordinate role to the purpose of proclaiming God’s role in redeeming us, even when we have made our own history a seeming nightmare of distortions and lies.

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Walking on the Waters of Life

A Reflection on Mark 6:45-52

Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB

"Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" (Mark 6:50)

There was a time I dreamed of walking on water. I was about eleven years old and immensely fascinated with this passage. We didn’t read the Bible much in those days but I heard the story in catechism class. I drove my mother crazy asking exactly how it was done. She didn’t shed a lot of light on the subject. Jesus was God so he got to do everything! We were told, however, that we were to be like Jesus in all things and I figured if he could walk on water so could I, but I never got the courage to test the waters.

In my adult life, figuratively speaking, and with some success, I clumsily walk on the waters of life. Like the disciples I often call out for assistance. As I read this gospel passage through slowly once and then read it again stopping for prayer and deeper reflection I was drawn to these words: "…he saw that they were tossed about while rowing." That observation clearly came from one who was living with attention. Jesus had gone to the mountains to pray yet he noticed their fear. He had just performed the miracle of the multiplication of loaves. He needed to be in communion with the One he called Father. I strongly suspect that in the midst of his prayer he suddenly felt the fear of his disciples. The text says it was evening and he was alone on the shore. Perhaps as he picked up their distress he came down from the mountain, then came to them walking on the waters.

I like the idea that Jesus noticed them from afar and came to them in their distress. I wonder how often that happens to us. Jesus notices us being tossed about in the strong winds of life and in some unexplainable manner he is suddenly present in our midst. Often we do not even notice Jesus noticing us. There has been a divine intervention in our lives and we are oblivious to the little miracle of things slowly getting better.

I do believe that happens. Sometimes Jesus uses us to walk across the stormy waters of life for the benefit of others. We do seemingly impossible tasks to bring about good in the lives of others. We lift burdens. We bring back courage. We restore hope. We love unconditionally. We reach out and assist those who are walking across the stormy waters of life. And there are those who are sent to do the same for us.

Who among us has not, on occasion, been tossed about in the boat of life? Perhaps we, too, have memories of catching a glimpse of One who seemed to be passing us by in our hour of desolation—and then, just in time, paused, turned around, and walked right into the heart of our fears. Our faith is miraculously restored as we go on our way once again, embracing the impossible task of walking on the waters of life which suddenly seems possible. Author Anne Lamott says it so well: "The difficult I can do now; the impossible may take a little while."

As I spent time praying with this gospel I was drawn to the words, "He meant to pass by them" ( Mk 6:48), and I wondered if this was a kind of divine-hide-and-go-seek. He didn’t pass them by though, because they saw him and cried out with terror. He climbed into their boat and as the winds subsided their terror turned into a feeling of safety. This experience with Jesus and his disciples is reminiscent of a scene in one of the post resurrection stories, the Emmaus Journey. Like the walk on the sea, "…he gave the impression that he was going on farther" (Luke 24:28). This time they also cried out but it was more of a yearning cry of hope, begging for his continued presence with them. He had entered into their doubts and sorrows and they weren’t ready to let him go. "Stay with us…" (Luke 24:29) is their invitation to further communion.

In both incidents Jesus listens to the moment. He gets into the boat of their fears. He sits down at the table of their longing. These beautiful stories are also our stories. In some small way we, too, have known the experience of the sweet intrusion of Jesus in our lives.

O Lord of Our Fears and Our Longings, when you see us tossed about in the strong winds of life, come to us walking over the stormy waters. Climb into our boats and help us row. We need a sense of your presence to do even the difficult things of life; but to do the impossible we need to feel a strong arm around us and your voice telling us to take courage. Amen.

Your next word to romance is Psalm 90.

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Workshops in Toronto Well Planned and Well Received

Paul M. Howard

LRSS Facilitators and Planning Team for the Workshop. Left to right: Paul Howard, John Williams, Lorraine Williams, Lloyd Lipinski, Kay Booker, Brenda Swenor, Imedla Lamasan, Joanna Kowalski, Patrick Booker.

There's an old anthem-like song from 1967 sung by Buffalo Springfield with the opening lines, "Something’s happenin’ here, what it is ain’t exactly clear..." The actual name of the song is For What it's Worth.

The reason I bring this up is that we have a group of facilitators of Scripture Study who feel the sentiments of the song 42 years later. In mid-September, St. Patrick’s Parish, Markham, Ontario, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Toronto, put on two workshops which were presented by Catherine Upchurch, Director of Little Rock Scripture Study, and Susan McCarthy, RDC, coordinator of workshops and promotion. One was an enrichment workshop for experienced Scripture students and the other an informational workshop for new parishes and newcomers to the study.

We hoped for 30-40 people in each session. Instead 243 signed up. Something’s happening here! What is clear is that adults are in search of faith development and turned out in droves, forcing a change in venue to contain the numbers. A frequent comment from participants in our parish Scripture program is "we wuz robbed!"—our faith was catechism-oriented, pat answers, 10 commandments, 8 beatitudes, 7 sacraments, 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit, 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was derived catechesis from both Scripture and Tradition, but failing in the primary need to answer the question, "Where did this come from?" After grade school or high school, most Catholics have little or no training in Scripture or theology.

What is clear is that a program in Scripture Study having a long pedigree of adult education principles of engagement in small groups, with an openness to discussion, daily preparation for involvement rather than passive listening, has a great chance of succeeding. Many with much more pastoral experience than the author know that a faddish methodology or pastoral approach can be like a glorious firecracker, all noise and flash, but gone in an instant and provoking of a cynicism to try something fresh.

Little Rock Scripture Study began not long after Vatican II when a group of laypersons in response to Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation of 1965, realized that they were biblical illiterates alongside their Protestant brethren in the Arkansas buckle of the Bible belt. Serendipitously, a Benedictine monk was nearby and offered to assist in developing the Scripture program. Liturgical Press of Minnesota, another Benedictine stronghold, eventually partnered with the diocese of Little Rock to publish materials and, as they say, the rest is history.

Thoughts to ponder (or how to get started):

1. Little Rock suggests to start with something like Acts of the Apostles, a narrative that is attractive and builds a structure for later themes, books, and letters. The synoptic Gospel of the current liturgical year is another good selection.
   
   
2. Choosing a coordinator and identifying facilitators-in-waiting for a training program, provided by Little Rock, are essential to a good start. Identifying leaders from recently-retired teachers with MRE or MDiv degrees, deacons-in-training can be helpful but not absolutely necessary.
   
   
3. Four key principles of the pedagogy
   
   
   • Daily personal study, using the text commentary and study guide produced by Liturgical Press for each study, e.g. Acts, Luke, Corinthians, Exodus, etc. 30 minutes a day is suggested
   • Small group sharing once a week, reviewing one’s answers from the study guide
   • A weekly wrap-up lecture, with either a local speaker or a DVD lecture by a qualified lecturer
   • Conversational prayer
   
   
4. One cannot overemphasize the importance and high quality of the leadership training DVD and coordinator’s manual with handouts and work sheets for future facilitators. It should also be emphasized that the method does not expect facilitators to be trained theologians; they are co-learners.

A combination of study and prayer feeds intellectual and spiritual growth. A natural outcropping of the program is to do something with the new-found growth in spirituality, e.g. join the lectors or Eucharistic ministry program, join a parish soup kitchen program, work with ex-cons, assist with funerals. The "not-so-perfect" storm of an aging priesthood with fewer vocations presents us with an opportunity to be creative participants in the work of the Spirit.

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Parishes Using LRSS   COLLABORATIVE EFFORT INTRODUCES SCRIPTURE STUDY PROGRAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Submitted by Patrick Manion, St. John the Evangelist Parish In October of this past year, three parishes—Sacred Heart, St. Peter, and St. John the Evangelist (in Concord, NH)—established the Little Rock Scripture Study program. They began their study with the Introduction to the Bible, which provides an overview of the Old and New Testament and an outline of the major themes and styles of its writers. The study also provides participants with solid information about the land and geography of the various books of Scripture. St. John the Evangelist, Sacred Heart, and St. Peter's parishes in Concord, NH. Pictured, left to right, top row: Tony Ferraro, Jeff Paquette, Tracy LaBarre, Wendy Waskin, Dave Malatesta Bottom row: Lucille Dane, Amy Hannon, Michael Yanski, Rosalie Yanski For those who have embraced Sacred Scripture and have participated in the Little Rock Scripture Study program, many note a significant positive change in their lives. Caroline Judd, a parishioner from Sacred Heart said, "Often, I am able to apply insights from my daily reading of Scripture to a problem or situation I am dealing with and am able to resolve the matter with greater appreciation and understanding." Mickey Russo from St. Peter agrees. "I start each day with Scripture. It always gets me off to a good start and God always has something to say to me," she says. "I am up at 3:30 am to do my readings and I could not begin my day without it." A version of this was first printed in Parable Magazine of the Diocese of Manchester.   ST. ANTHONY'S PARISH, CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA Submitted by Dr. Pat Walsh, St. Anthony’s Parish, Calgary, Alberta We are enjoying our study of Mark's Gospel here at St. Anthony’s. The New Collegeville Bible Commentary by Marie Noonan Sabin is excellent – certainly commanding our thanks and appreciation for accessible and enlightening insights. It is a stunning commentary. The Bible Study group of St. Anthony's Parish, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Seated, left to right: Anna Glynn, Celine Lagace, Liz Bergman, Jan Retallick, Elaine Stoiciou; Standing: Yvonne and Dave Van Helden, Catherine Kennedy, Ken Foran, Jackie and Pat Walsh, Carol O'Flaherty, Leah Cornelesen, Gerry O'Flaherty, Joanne Campbell, Fr. James Hagel, pastor. We have been conducting our Bible study for over ten years, and we hasten to assure you that we strive diligently to involve everyone in the discussions. The sharing process is the main reason we remain committed to the Little Rock program. We have come to see that the Spirit is working in every one of us, and we are careful never to relapse to "teaching" or "lecturing" in our sessions. Our participants have such rich and varied life experiences that we are continually amazed at how the Spirit works in the lives of our people. It is the sharing process that has made our group a source of inspiration for projects within the wider parish life: we have developed a "Silence and Sustenance" program on Mondays during Lent; we have Muffin Friday social gatherings after Mass on First Fridays to which people bring a loaf of sandwiches for our city shelters; an active Prayer Tree; and a year round project to make blankets for the homeless. Our shared experiences have helped us to develop into a caring and aware community of deep relationships. We know we have been blessed through our Little Rock experience, and for that we are grateful.   WE LOVE LITTLE ROCK! Submitted by Mary Blair of Sacred Heart Parish, Broussard, LA In January of 1998 a group of parishioners at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Broussard, Louisiana, formed a small Christian community. We met weekly to pray together and spend some time sharing how the Holy Spirit was moving in our lives. We also read and discussed the Scriptures for the coming Sunday. Sacred Heart Parish: first row (seated on the floor): Vic Blair, Mary Blair, Diane Meche second row (seated on the sofa): Rae Magin, Shari Miller, Earline Miller, Peggy Bienvenu, Clara Blair After two years of using this format we decided that we needed a more in-depth study of Scripture. From the office of Christian Formation in our diocese we were steered toward Little Rock Scripture Study. Immediately the group as a whole knew this was the perfect program for us. The format is clear and easy to facilitate. The study guide and commentary are broken down into small enough segments that, even with our busy schedules, we are able to complete the reading and questions before our weekly meeting. The lectures really tie everything together and clarify any points we may have after our discussion. Since our group began using LRSS in 2000 we have completed every study available. We have even done Acts and Revelation twice! At present we are studying the revised edition of John and the Johannine Epistles. We still spend time sharing with each other how we are living out our faith in our daily lives, and praying with each other as a group. But Little Rock is the backbone of our meeting. It has really opened up the Scriptures to us. Many thanks to all of the staff at LRSS for providing such high quality, Catholic Bible study materials. God bless you all!

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Lilly Hess, the Off-screen Presence on Every Wrap-up Lecture

Susan McCarthy, RDC

This article is another in a series on the lives and work of those on the LRSS staff.

When Lilly Hess began her work with Little Rock Scripture Study over thirty-one years ago she would never have dreamed how her ministry would expand and change. She could not have known that every recorded lecture would have her imprint and every print product would pass over her desk before moving into the hands of our capable partners at Liturgical Press.

Her initial responsibilities included responding to customer phone calls, ordering materials from Liturgical Press, and shipping materials to parishes around the Diocese of Little Rock and eventually around the U.S. Soon she was exhibiting materials at conferences and helping to present workshops to interested Catholics.

Today, Lilly’s primary responsibilities involve finalizing all print products and producing all recorded materials. You may not see her face on camera but you see her influence in all the graphics and visual enhancements that appear on screen for video lectures. She searches for art and photography to enhance the lectures, and then works with the Dempsey Film Group to assure that everything appears in just the right place on screen.

"I’m sure there are few people who have the sense of curiosity and wonder that Lilly brings to her work, or the persistence and attention to detail that goes into each task. She’s really a blessing to this ministry," says our director, Cackie Upchurch. That attention to detail is also appreciated in the other area of responsibility – helping to track and project sales, making sure materials are available on the shelves, and recording expenses.

Work at the offices of the Diocese of Little Rock is only part of Lilly's life. Her four grown children and numerous grandchildren give her such pride, and she loves to travel with her own sisters and brother. Her co-worker Cliff Yeary remarks, "Lilly is a bundle of positive energy. Whether she is plowing through the statistical details of sales projections or sharing her latest recipe, she presents everything with the enthusiasm of someone in love with life."

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Recommended Reading – More Connections to the Liturgical Year

Cackie Upchurch

In our last issue, two of the recommended titles dealt with the gospel of the liturgical year. In this issue, we recommend a few more on that subject.

Luke, Stories of Joy and Salvation by John Gillman (New City Press) is a very accessible guide to reading and understanding the spiritual message found in the gospel of this liturgical year. This slim volume reads easily, picks up the particular flavor of the evangelist, and is punctuated by reflection questions that allow the reader to dwell in each section before moving on.

Two other resources provide ample reflection for those who want to prayerfully study and reflect on the Sunday readings as we continue through this year. We recommend Living Liturgy 2010 (Liturgical Press) for its practical and insightful style. A writing group consisting of Joyce Ann Zimmerman, CPPS, Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN, and Christopher W. Conlon, SM, contributes solid scholarship and pastoral experience. Each Sunday’s readings are expanded upon in sections such as "Reflecting on the Gospel" and "Living the Paschal Mystery" along with shorter sections that help readers to connect various readings to one another and to lived experience. In addition, there are brief questions or sentence completion exercises directed at faith-sharing groups as well as the various liturgical ministries. Presiders and preachers will appreciate homily points and suggested prayers of the faithful.

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From The Director

Cackie Upchurch 

For followers of Christ, life is a spiritual journey. In our faith tradition, this journey is punctuated with regularly occurring seasons, reminders that even as the scenery of our lives changes around us, the need to be refreshed and re-centered is a constant. Lent is one of those seasons.

Returning each year to a time of renewal, repentance, and rebirth might seem redundant, but it’s necessary for growth. It's a necessary stop along the way to gain strength to continue.

In the northern hemisphere this Lenten time coincides with spring. How can we not look at the hardened earth and wonder how seeds burst their way to the surface, or new leaves emerge through roughened tree bark? This Lent, maybe we could imagine what wonderful new thing God may be doing beneath the surface of our lives.

Our job in Lent is to make room within so that God can work. That means we remove the clutter that can weigh us down as we make this journey. Giving up chocolate for a few weeks won’t do the trick. We might focus instead on …
     letting go of jealousy or bitterness and embracing forgiveness
     breaking free of addictions and discovering true freedom
     dropping the language of fear or worry and adopting the language of hope.

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