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"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, con
cerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it ...." I John 1:1-2 (RSV)

"After his resurrection the disciples saw the living Christ, whom they knew to have died, with the eyes of faith (oculata fide)." Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, III, 55, 2 ad 1, as quoted in D. M. Stanley, Jesus in Gethsemane (New York, Paulist Press 1980).

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Help from the Carmelites

This  lectio section of the Carmelites' website where you find  Bible studies is a treasure trove for students of the Gospels.  They  probe deeply into the Gospel reading for each day.   And if you are like me you will especially enjoy their study technique where,  from the text, they come up with a list of questions.  For example, last Sunday we had the mission of the twelve, Mark 6:7-13.  In the lectio for that Gospel, which you can find here they list these questions: 
a) In Mark, why is the driving out of the unclean spirits so important?
b) What is the sense of this insistence on poverty of means?
c) What is the content of this first proclamation?
d) Why does Jesus place together poverty and courage and freedom?
e) Why does the proclamation have to be itinerant and not stable?
Now that is a dynamic way to study the Bible.  This lectio material is the best resource that I have found for daily reflection on the Gospels.   
By the way, I would add this question: What is our duty to missionaries?  My take on  Mark 6:10 ("Where you enter a home, stay there until you leave the place") is that those out on the mission should be able come to my house and stay as long as they see fit.  Proclamation of the word does not just happen.  It needs support from the homes.
***** 
Speaking of the Carmelites, this is the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill,  Town of Erin,  Washington County, near  Hubertus, Wisconsin, which is just a 30 minute drive from Mayville, where I live.  "Holy Hill" is run by the the Discalced Carmelite Friars and attracts more than 300,000 pilgrims and visitors each year.

Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, WI
Holy Hill, Town of Erin, Washington County, WI 

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