How Do I Read the Bible?

Transcription

1 February 21, 2016 How Do I Read the Bible? by Stephanie Tanguay Quite frankly, it depends on my mood sometimes. To be perfectly honest, until fairly recently, I hadn t even considered actually reading the Bible. A few years ago, I experienced a rather lifechanging event and made a deal with God: if He would make it livable, I would get off the fence and learn what I could about being Catholic. He did, so I got started. But how to start something new is always the dilemma. After a few false starts, I sought advice, most of which was pretty similar read a little bit at a time; stop when something strikes you; it s okay to read the same verse over and over for days or months if necessary until you hear something. Others advised me to read like a story, particular books as a whole. Still others said that method would be could be overwhelming, so read parables to start. Or psalms. Or the Sunday readings. Or or or (continued inside) How I read the Bible Parishioners and clergy are writing about their own Bible reading, and recommending resources to get us started or deepen our existing practice of reading the Bible on a regular basis. If you would like to share your experiences and advice, send your thoughts to bulletin@steas.net. In addition to serving the parish as Receptionist, Edge and Life Teen Coordinator, and Youth Protection Local Administrator, Stephanie also leads our Spiritual Book Club, which meets every five weeks to discuss and pray through classic and contemporary works.

2 (continued from cover) So how do I read the Bible? Like a lazy researcher. I flip around and check out all the footnotes. Then I go back and read that part again with the references in mind. While I know that the Bible the Word of God is, indeed, Him speaking to His children, most of the time I don t look for any special, hidden, or specific-to-me meaning but I do look for questions. For the things that d o n t m a k e sense to me; the connections that are close, but not quite clear. These I write down in a journal, and I try to figure out who would be the right person to ask. Sometimes I even ask them. I m very visual, so as I read I make pictures in my mind. Occasionally I try to translate the pictures to words in an effort to keep them. Rarely do I share them anymore because I ve found people tend to try to add their own details, or tell me what I m seeing or describing instead of letting me speak; letting me let them into my experience. Worse, they sometimes tell me what they think I am feeling, should be feeling, or some action I should take. The big question, I suppose, is related to how I choose what to Christian Recording Artist TobyMac Steubenville FUEL resources for youth steubenvillefuel.com Life Teen lifeteen.com Word FM streaming music and inspiration How Do I Read the Bible? read in the Bible. In some ways that takes us back to the beginning: It depends. At first what I read was homework from Faith Matters or spiritual direction. Then I started reading the daily Mass readings each morning. Life Teen and Edge prep often awaken my inner researcher. Most often lately, I pick up my Bible because an idea or thought strikes me. Search engines are an amazing Luke 12:7 commentary tool (since I have no idea how to use a concordance) for finding matches in the Bible. There s plenty of commentary there, too some good, some very bad as well as a good bit of distraction, so it s a careful and direct search when I go online. And then the page flipping begins in my Bible highlighter/ pen in hand and journal nearby. Even with all of that going on while I read, what truly made the Bible live for me is something I heard quite recently about the gospels. Each story is there for the specific reason that it is still RECOMMENDED RESOURCES happening, every day: Mary Magdalene is still finding the tomb empty; the miracle of feeding 5,000 is still happening; Jesus is still asking Who do you say that I am? With that, the Bible became something more than an old letter from a dear friend; it also became current. I have a favorite verse, one that took my breath away when I first read it: Luke 12:7. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows (NAB). (Check out the footnote on Luke 2:22 to get one insight about what that value is.) I remind myself often as I read the Bible to keep in mind my value in God s eyes. Everything God has made has its seasons, its ups and downs, its ebb and flow. The exercise of writing this essay has reminded me that I do not spend as much time with my Bible as I d like to. In fact, I ve fallen into a habit of trying to fit my Bible in, rather than working my day around it. I think it s time to work my way toward reversing that order. CatholicSurf.com There is no perfect way to search the Internet, but this site, powered by Google, uses "safe search" technology to yield results from all perspectives, from sites all over the internet with more weight given to Catholic websites and sites containing content relating to Catholics and Catholicism. The search engine also eliminates sites and pages containing adult-themed content. Still, "some of the results and Google ads that are displayed may not be in line with Catholic doctrine, so be sure the Internet isn t your only source for faith formation!

3 READINGS FOR THE WEEK MON 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6; Mt 16:13-19 TUE Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 WED Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Mt 20:17-28 THU Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4, and 6; Lk 16:19-31 FRI Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Mt 21:33-43,45-46 SAT Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Lk 15:1-3, SUN Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 ALTAR SERVERS FEBRUARY :00 PM Nick Chasler, Olivia Varner 7:15 AM Paul Cavada, Calvin Cavada 9:00 AM Catherine Arke, Cassie Courtney 11:30 AM Laura Weiss, Erika Eshleman STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND MASS Stations of the Cross are prayed Fridays during Lent at 7:00 PM, followed by Mass at 7:30 PM. COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES Sunday, February 28, 7:00 PM Saint Patrick, Carlisle Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 PM Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Sunday, March 13, 2:00 PM Saint Katherine Drexel Sunday, March 20, 2:00 PM Saint Joseph Sunday, March 20, 7:00 PM Saint Theresa Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes Wednesday, March 23, 7:00 PM Good Shepherd Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal This weekend, we continue our pledge drive for the 2016 Bishop s Annual Lenten Appeal, with the theme I will draw all people to Myself. Recall that Christ drew other to himself and His Father through His parables and instruction. He educated those around Him about bringing about God s Kingdom on Earth. Your pledge to the Appeal sustains that education through our local Catholic schools, the Diocesan Institute, and other ministries that shape and refine our faith so we may live it more fully and share it in our communities. If you have not already done so, please come to the café area just outside Father Waldron Hall after Mass and make your pledge. Regardless of amount, your pledge allows you to make your faith known to others. If you have questions or would care to help, please contact Bob Bagin ( ) or Tim Danko ( ). AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS ARE SELLING SEEDS AND PLANTS FOR SPRING PLANTING. This is an important source of support for one of our newest ministries. Dream through your 2016 garden, get an order form at or at the Welcome Table in the narthex, and return your order by February 28. Spring IS coming! In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Joseph F. Lappano, husband of Helen Lappano and father of parishioner Sam Lappano. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish welcomes, through the sacrament of Baptism, Declan Robert Corbett, Amelia Kelly Merichko, Liam Thomas Murphy, Kylan Jaiden Paige, and Lucia Elizabeth Sawyer. Please send items for the next Seton Sunday to bulletin@steas.net by 9:00 AM on Monday. + MASSES + + DAILY PRAYERS + CONFESSIONS+ SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 VIGIL, 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 PM Don McCully SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 7:15 AM People of the Parish 9:00 AM Barbara Keane *11:30 AM Intentions for the 65th Wedding Anniversary of MaReine and Graham Munkittrick MONDAY FEBRUARY 22 FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER, APOSTLE 9:00 AM Joy Escaro TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23 7:00 AM Intentions of Deacon Richard J. Mowery WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24 7:00 AM Charles Alan Legore 9:00 AM Health of Sandra Fragelli THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25 7:00 AM Theresa DiCostanza 9:00 AM James Spade FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 7:00 AM Keith Berube--Health and Holiness 9:00 AM Patty Fuller 7:30 PM Intentions of Stephen Hawkins SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27 8:30 AM Mary Boob 3:00 PM CONFESSIONS VIGIL, 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT 5:00 PM People of the Parish SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT 7:15 AM Intentions of Bishop Edward C. Malesic *9:00 AM Tyler Zauzig and Gail Moritz 11:30 AM Mary K. Shaull Holder * Adult Choir singing at Mass

4 MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND FEBRUARY 27-28! We know how the winter weather has affected our own lives, so we can appreciate that winter is an especially tough time for those without resources at our partner parish, Saint Francis of Assisi in Harrisburg. By giving to our monthly Mission Project through the collection boxes, we provide Father Orlando with funds to directly help those in need in his parish community. If you ve missed a month or two, this would be a great time to make it up! OUR PARISH WIRELESS (STEAS-Guest) is available for your use to access your myparishapp, to visit other Catholic sites for prayers before Mass and Scripture readings, and for your convenience when you are here for activities. Please check the parish website for requirements of how this free service may be used in accordance with our commitment to youth safety and Catholic moral teaching. Reach Across the Miles THE COLLEGE/MILITARY OUTREACH PROGRAM NEEDS YOUR HELP! Donations of snack-size treats and school supplies will be collected in the ramp hallway from Saturday, February 20, through Sunday, February 28, for the Spring 2016 shipment of CARE PACKAGES to our college students and military personnel registered in our program. SUGGESTED DONATIONS: rosaries and rosary purses, snack packs of chips, pretzels, granola bars, cookies, crackers, candy bars, microwave popcorn, ramen noodles, pop tarts, pens, pencils, highlighters, stationery, note cards, reading materials suitable for both college and military individuals. Please do not donate any products that contain PEANUTS or PEANUT products due to allergies! Financial donations, which will be used to purchase additional items and help defray the cost of shipping, are especially needed. If you registered in the fall, you do not need to re-register for the spring. Forms will be available for new registrants for the Spring 2016 shipment. Contact Donna ( , donnachavey@hotmail.com) with questions. THAT MAN IS YOU The theme on February 27 at 6:30 AM or March 1 at 11:30 AM is A Descent into the Isolation of Self. Topics include: Prayer is essential; The plan of God vs. the plan of Satan; Joy of communion; Isolation of self; Union with God is your destiny, It is not good for man to be alone. Questions? Contact Dave Rose (paroses@comcast.net, ). Faith Matters MORNING FAITH MATTERS Why do you think God sometimes tests our faith? In this week s Lesson 6 of Romans and Galatians, Paul presents Abraham s faith as an example of a path we should follow. Read Romans 4:1-4:25, then join us on Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the Bayley Conference Room to get answers to this perplexing question. EVENING FAITH MATTERS Join us Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Bayley Conference Room for The Bible Timeline. Questions? Contact Donna ( ). Life Teen 50 Years LIFE TEEN This week, our series on Mercy begins with Misericordia. Forgiveness is a decision of the heart to go against the instinct to pay back evil with evil, and instead, freely choose to forgive those who have wronged us. Forgiveness is powerful and can begin the process of healing. But what is mercy? Teens join us in this Year of Mercy series! Life Teen meets most Sundays@5 for dinner, prayer, learning, and fun, not necessarily in that order! There is no charge, no registration, and no judgment. All teens in grades 9-12 are welcome, from any school, and any background. WERE YOU MARRIED IN 1966? Come to your Golden Jubilee Mass, to be celebrated by Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Sunday, Sunday, July 10, at Good Shepherd Church, Camp Hill. Please contact the parish office by April 8 with your name and address if you are celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary this year. The celebration includes a reception and a commemorative certificate. FAITH DIRECT: During this solemn and holy season of Lent, we make a conscious effort to recommit ourselves to the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Supporting Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish through Faith Direct is a great way to observe consistent almsgiving. Whether you are considering a new commitment to our parish or have been faithfully tithing for many years, please consider this convenient way of giving. Visit and use our Church Code PA495 to sign up. SPONSOR OF THE WEEK We wish to thank Harrisburg Gastroenterology, Ltd. for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.

5 Special Screening Divine Mercy Sunday April 3, 2016 Mark Your Calendar Now! We are delighted that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish has been selected to host a screening of the new documentary on the image of Divine Mercy revealed to Saint Faustina, and we will do so in conjunction with our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 3 in our new Father Waldron Hall. Everyone is wanted, and welcome, and expected! Details will be announced.