As Lovers of Learning

Ecclesiasticus: The Prologue Now, those who read the scriptures must not only themselves understand them, but must also as lovers of learning be able through the spoken and written word to help the outsiders.

It struck me as I read this that this is one of the main purposes of this blog! This book, known as Ecclesiasticus or the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, is one of the group that we Protestants call the Apocryphal books, books that are not a part of the official canon of the church, but are nevertheless considered important as part of a larger understanding of scripture. It is full of daily wisdom. The Prologue was written by Jesus of Sirach's grandson, and gives some background to the writer, and includes the above statement as a kind of purpose for the writings. Not meant to be read straight through, it is meant as a guide for teaching how to live according to the Jewish law.

It seemed like an appropriate time for me to share where I have discovered whatever knowledge I have concerning the Biblical Scriptures. It has been primarily through a 4 year class at my Church called EfM -- Education for Ministry. A distance learning course through the Seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, it was originally intended for those seminarians who could not relocate and go to a residential seminary, but has been primarily utilized for lay people wanting to learn more about their tradition. The first year focuses on the Hebrew scriptures, what we Christians call the Old Testament; the second focuses on the New Testament. The third and fourth years trace both the history of the church and the development of its theology from the first century after Christ's crucifixion to the present day. What a fascinating journey it is, too! Four of us who have been in this class together across the whole four year span recently "graduated". The diocese held a wonderful ceremony for all of us, and we got a very impressive certificate from Sewanee that would be proud next to any other diploma you could find. It has been a fascinating journey, the end result bringing not so much an answer to my questions, as a whole different set of questions and an enormous set of books and theologians to explore in more detail. And my study enriches my reading of scripture every day, opens it up more fully and sharpens the message as it calls me to dig deeper, below the surface.

Prayer: Dear God, You have gifted me with such human knowledge of Your Holy Scripture as is available to me. Help me use that gift to open the Mystery of Your Presence to others, so they may know Your Saving Grace and Divine Peace. Amen.