The Catholic Biblical School

Have you ever wondered about the Sunday readings? I mean really, wondered? Who are the writers? Who were they writing to and what was the situation of the communities who read Scripture long, long ago? And most importantly, what have they to offer me today? Take today’s first reading, from the Book of Sirach. Who was Sirach? The author is actually the grandson of Sirach and in the rabbinic tradition is referred to as “The Book (or Instruction) of Ben Sira”. In the Christian tradition it is referred to as a Wis-dom Book or “Ecclesiasticus”, a title that means “churchly” or “belonging to the church”. Most scholars believe it was written around 180 BC. The writing style is typical Hebrew poetry and the content brings the reader to better understand its duties to God, family and society. In fact, this ancient book has very much to offer us in our times, in our own situation, offering the notion that humility is an essential virtue to witnessing God in our world today. In the Catholic Biblical School, students studied the Wis-dom Books and learned about the authors, message and historical situation of that era. In our second reading from Hebrews, we have a letter attributed to St. Paul, although it reads more like an exhortation. Today, we are confronted with some powerful im-agery. Blazing fire and gloomy darkness are a reference to God’s descent on Mt. Sinai when He found the Israelites worshipping the golden calf. But as Christians, we have found salvation through the blood of Christ. In other words, because of Christ’s actions, and His new Covenant, we are forgiven. We studied Saint Paul in depth in our second year of Catholic Biblical School and were truly enlightened to Paul’s tremendous impact on the Chris-tian Church and how often times he is quite misunderstood. Fi-nally, we hear the Gospel of Luke. Luke, traditionally identified as a physician, and Apostle to the Gentiles, his style of writing and wonderful recounting of the many parables of Jesus is illus-trated today. The wedding feast is often the description of the heavenly banquet – how it will be in heaven. In heaven, the place of honor belongs to the lowliest. In heaven, humility is the norm. See how humility is the theme in the readings today? How does being humble today make me a happier person, a person more connected to others and more connected to God? These are things Luke wanted his readers, which means all of us, right now, on this day, to consider. There is so much treasure in Scripture, our Sunday readings, that may seem like a mystery. If you have ever really wondered, you may be the perfect candidate to enroll in the Catholic Biblical School. There are classes forming now in convenient places such at Sacred Heart in Bloomfield and also in West Hartford. For more information go to www.orehartford.org or call Kathi Bonner, DRE at 658.4737.