Dear Friends,

 

Many people look to the bible to answer questions.

 

I have found the bible, on the contrary, to ask more questions than it ever answers.

 

Many people believe that the bible is sort of like God’s rulebook. I really can’t believe that.

 

I find that women in the bible are generally treated as unequal to men and I think this is nonsense because we are all made in the image and likeness of God.

 

I found animal sacrifice disgusting and I don’t believe that God is a tyrant running around slaughtering people. I don’t believe that God destroyed the “world” after He (sic) created it.

 

I don’t believe that strange story of Noah and the flood because it makes no sense at all.

 

The four Gospels confuse me with all of the internal contradictions and different versions of the same events.

 

They can’t even agree on how Jesus was born or on how He died, much less on what the resurrection means.

 

But, I don’t think I could live without the bible.

 

The bible is like oxygen for my soul and I do believe that I am possessed in a soul. I have no idea what a soul is but I know my soul when it starts asking questions without answers.

As a piece of literature the bible is notoriously incomprehensible, it never sticks to any point for very long. It is all over the place with bizarre characters.

 

Now I know that there are people who claim they “live” by the bible. What on earth does that mean? How can you possibly “live” by the bible, if you actually take the whole bible and not pick and choose.

 

Other than Jesus, there are very few people who pray in the bible.

 

So why the bible?

 

This Lent I invite you to take a look at the bible. You can find many versions on line.

 

The best current translation, in my opinion, is the RNAB, the Revised New American Bible.

 

The most impractical translation is the King James Version, although, the KJV is a most edifying piece of English language literature.

 

I am offering three opportunities to join conversations about the bible.

 

Every Monday evening in Lent, you are invited to join with one of our seventh and eighth grade classes in talking about the Gospel reading for the following Sunday.

 

On Tuesday noon at Sheffield’s Restaurant, you can join a conversation on the readings for the Easter Vigil.

 

These readings which most of you never hear are deemed the essential Catholic literary framework for understanding the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, as well as the sending of the Holy Spirit.

 

We will have another conversation on these readings on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Office meeting room from about 6:30 until 8:30.

 

On Wednesday evenings, we will study the book, Christianity in Evolution: An Exploration, by Jack Mahoney S.J.  We will meet from about 6:30 until 8:30 in the Parish office meeting room.

 

This book, as I have mentioned before, explores the ideas of original sin, creation, and redemption in the light of what the author believes to be the indisputable facts of science and history.

 

Father Mahoney concludes beyond a shadow of a doubt that we, everything, is part of an ever evolving reality. This leaves many conventional teachings of Christian religions hanging loose.

 

Additionally, every Sunday after 10:30 Mass you are invited to breakfast (free) in Casa Maria. You can continue the homily with me in asking questions, disputing ideas, or just thinking out loud together.

 

More information on all of these events will be sent to you in the mail and regularly announced in this bulletin.

 

Peace,

Father Niblick