Exploring the Word: The Second Book of Samuel (Weekly Fun Time)

The Warrior of the Light remembers a passage from John Bunyan:

‘Although I have been through all that I have, I do not regret the many hardships I met, because it was they who brought me to the place I wished to reach. Now all I have is this sword and I give it to whoever wishes to continue his pilgrimage. I carry with me the marks and scars of battles—they are the witnesses of what I suffered and the rewards o what I conquered.

These are the beloved marks and scars that will open the gates of Paradise to me. There was a time when I used to listen to tales of bravery. There was a time when I lived only because I needed to live. But now I live because I am a Warrior and because I wish one day to be in the company of Him for whom I have fought so hard.’ –Paulo Coehlo

• Weekly Fun Sheet for 12.10-12.14:

The Second Book of Samuel (cross reference text, pp. 131-140)

• Monday: in-class review (For Review, p. 130); 2 Samuel 5-7

• Tuesday: 2 Samuel 11-13

• Wednesday: 2 Samuel 14-17; complete review, p. 140 (10 pts)

• Thursday: celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation

• Friday: in-class review (For Review, p. 140); Film, The Power of Myth with Joseph Campbell; blog?

Some things to consider:

Brothers,

We now enter into the Second Book of Samuel to read about and review David’s exploits (adventures) as the King of Israel.

As you read, continue to pay attention to themes (important and meaningful subject matter) related to the illusions and temptations of power. Though anointed by God to lead the Israelites, David and his family are still mere mortals, subject to corruption and evil like the rest of us.

That said, consider how God’s mercy works through David and how, despite the power of evil, good always seems to prevail in the end. Meanwhile, consider the root causes of evil as we read about them in the Second Book of Samuel.

Some themes to look for:

+ temptation

+ power

+ fear

+ corruption of good

+ forgiveness and mercy

+ loyalty to family

The Story of a Matriarch: The Book of Ruth

• Week of 11.19—11.21: (text, pp. 112-17)

• Monday: Ruth 1: 1-18; Ruth 1: 19-22

• Tuesday: Ruth 2: 1-23; Ruth 3: 1-18; Ruth 4: 1-22

• Wednesday: Film, The Power of Myth

Some things to consider:

Brothers,

In the Book of Ruth, we are dealing with the theme of “filial piety”—a fancy way of saying, “family values.” We are also dealing with the themes of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and heroism—virtues that only a matriarch such as Naomi or Ruth could display. As we read, I would like you to keep in mind the strength and courage that these two women display and how their own willingness to fulfill God’s will relates to a female guardian or mother or mother-figure in your life, who has committed to taking care of you.

In an interview conducted by PBS TV journalist, Bill Moyers, the famous historian, Joseph Campbell, says that the act of giving birth is a truly heroic deed. He says this because the mother must in a sense die to herself in order to bring new life into the world—the act of giving birth is thus a commitment that requires a woman’s full attention to and care for a helpless and vulnerable human being. Interestingly, Ruth’s own metaphorical death—through the act of giving birth to Obed—brings hope for new life in a world of bitterness and violence; her deed brings about the birth of David who is ancestor to Christ.

Thus, as the preface to the New American Bible edition of The Book of Ruth notes: “In this, the universality of the messianic salvation is foreshadowed” (229). In other words, the coming of the messiah and the freedom from death through resurrection he guarantees is foreshadowed in the life of Ruth.

That said, please do the following in your notebook (and finish for homework as blog assignment (DUE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2007):

• Define “hero”/ “heroine” What are the characteristics of a hero or heroine in your eyes?

• Make a list of people—men and/or women—in your life who you consider heroes

• Give a brief description of each person and his or her relation(ship) to you

• Then, state why you consider each person a hero or heroine; be specific, especially if your reason for choosing him or her relates to a specific deed. Did this or that person help you get through a difficult time? If so, explain how and why.

• Lastly, do any of these characteristics or characters relate to either Ruth or Naomi, or any of the biblical characters we’ve read about so far? Explain.

In Peace,
BRobPeachFSC

Interpreting the Word: Joshua and Judges

Brothers,

We still have many stories yet to be explored during class-time. That said, please choose either two shorter passages (10-15 verses long each) or one long passage (at most about 33 verses) of the following scripture passages and, in a well-developed paragraph (or more) response, please interpret the deeper meaning of the text.

In other words: Summarize the passage(s).

Then, tell us: What is message is being communicated by the story? What are the symbols presented by the OT writers? What do they mean? How do they apply to your own lived experience in the present?

Hear it and Proclaim it! This assignment is due TUESDAY, NOV. 6, 2007

Options:

• Joshua 6: 1-21
• Joshua 7: 1-26
• Joshua 10: 12-14
• Joshua 20: 1-6
• Joshua 24: 1-33
• Joshua 21: 43-45

• Judges 3: 1-7
• Judges 6: 1-24
• Judges 6: 25-40
• Judges 7: 1-8
• Judges 7: 16-22
• Judges 8: 22-35
• Judges 9: 1-6
• Judges 13: 1-25
• Judges 14: 1-20
• Judges 15: 1-20
• Judges 16: 1-31

Envisioning Story through Film: The Prince of Egypt and Exodus

Brothers,

Just before the opening credits of the feature animation film, The Prince of Egypt, we are given a disclaimer which says something to the effect of: While the biblical story of the Exodus has been modified for dramatic purposes, the integrity of the original story remains the same. In other words, the film maintains most, if not all, of the religious truths and themes that were originally communicated to us in the written account.

In light of what we've read from the Exodus accounts and seen from the film, I'd like you to do the following:

• Explain any major differences or similarities you noticed between the film and the written account. What effect did they have on your perception of the story? Did they enhance your perception of the story? Did they create suspense? Did the film help you understand the story better? Or did it confuse you more? Explain.
• Pick and describe three major themes (deeper meanings) presented in the film and explain, in detail, HOW they are portrayed. Do they have any relevance to your own life?
  

Due Tuesday, October 16 by class time.

In peace,
BRobPeachFSC

Dreams: Understanding Ourselves Experiencing God

Brothers,

As we have discussed in class, dreams are an important medium of communication between the human and the divine. Think of Scripture, for instance. There, we have the writings of God's revelations to God's people, much of which were inspired by dream visions.

That said, take some time to write a prayerful reflection on YOUR dream experiences, answering the questions that follow in COMPLETE sentences:

1. During your life in what ways have you paid attention to your dreams? Have you done "dreamwork": writing down your dreams or processing them? How has dreamwork and/or paying attention to your dreams helped you?


2. Can you remember a significant dream in your own life that helped you resolve (settle) an inner or outer conflict? Or helped you to gain clarity around a life issue? Or fostered deeper inner healing? How was the dream helpful to you? Did you ever bring that dream into conscious connection with God? What was that like for you?


[OPTIONAL] 3. In your own dreamwork what techniques have you found helpful in processing dreams? What ways have you prayed with dreams? How have you helped others to pray with their dreams?

Interpreting the word

Brothers,

We still have many stories yet to be explore during class-time. That said, please choose either two shorter passages (10-15 verses long each) or one long passage (at most about 35 verses) of the following scripture passages and, in a well-developed paragraph (or more) response, please interpret the deeper meaning of the text.

Summarize the passage(s).

Then, tell us: What is message is being communicated by the story? What are the symbols presented by the OT writers? What do they mean? How do they apply to your own lived experience in the present?

Hear it and Proclaim it!

Options:

• Genesis 11:1-9
• Genesis 12:1-9
• Genesis 15:1-6
• Genesis 16:1-16
• Genesis 17:1-22
• Genesis 18:1-15
• Genesis 18:16-33
• Genesis 19:1-29
• Genesis 21:1-21
• Genesis 22:1-19
• Genesis 24:1-67
• Genesis 27:1-41
• Genesis 27:42-46; 28:1-5, 10-22
• Genesis 32:23-32
• Genesis 35:1-29
• Genesis 37:1-35
• Genesis 42:1-38
• Genesis 43:1-14
• Genesis 43:15-34
• Genesis 44:1-34
• Genesis 45:1-28
  

BRobPeachFSC

Exploring the Word

Spend some time exploring your Bible.

Find a passage in the Old Testament that you think is beautiful, powerful, or inspiring.

Write out the passage and explain why you chose it.

What does it have to say to you (what is the truth it offers you)?

Written on Our Hearts: The Story of God's Love in Faith and Scripture

Welcome, my young brothers, into an interpretive drama that we are, as believers and scholars, called to join by the Holy Spirit each time we enter the sacred space of this classroom.

In this course, we will delve into the foundations of the Catholic Christian faith tradition and its relationship to the stories and poetry of the Old Testament. We are dealing with long strands of oral tradition that intertwine to make that connecting tether between us and God called salvation history.

For Christians, this history culminates in the redemptive act of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Realize that, by stepping into this classroom, by opening up the text, by reading and writing and reflection, you are entering into the very experience that defined Christ’s own passionate existence: a dialogue with God.