A REFLECTION ON BIBLE STUDY: JAN 2017

In her 2015 book, “If the Oceans Were Ink,” journalist Carla Power writes powerfully and beautifully of “reading that’s not.” She relates her experiences as a Western journalist studying the Quran in depth with a Muslim scholar and sheik who also became a good friend. Her journey brought her to profoundly appreciate and be comforted by men and women reciting passages from the Quran from memory. Many of these devout Muslims have earned the designation of “hafiz,” indicating they have memorized the entire Quran.

While Power writes mostly about her scholarly study with the sheik who generously committed himself to bringing the beauty of the Quran to life for her, she was especially curious about people who recite it in Urdu and Persian without scholarly understanding. This is what she means by “reading that’s not.” Her initial reaction was to scoff at such reading, but all became clear for her on one morning when she just listened at dawn to a woman on a rooftop joyfully reciting her prayers. She writes: “I hadn’t understood the words, but hearing them brought me an uncanny sense of peace.”

As I read this fine book over the Advent and Christmas seasons, I was struck by the sweetness of this practice. Intimacy with Christ also transcends the meaning of words. While those who meet each week at St. Margaret’s and around the world, are awakened to meaning in the study of scripture in historical context and with a thoughtful search for meaning, it is also a wonderful thing to allow the words to wash over us as our hearts are aroused and moved beyond all reasoning or understanding. This is a very special space in which we commune with the sacred. May we each have many, many such moments as we lean into 2017 amidst the noisy fray of troubling world events and the gathering storms of anxious discontent.

In December, our Bible Study group read the Gospel of St. Luke as preparation for the Advent/Christmas seasons. Please join us in the New Year as we continue to study and learn. No special knowledge is required - just bring a seeking heart. Bibles will be provided if you forget yours.

Peace, joy and the blessings of Epiphany to you and yours.

~ Br. Anton Armbruster, TSSF

“Say, even if the ocean were ink
For [writing] the words of my Lord,
The ocean would be exhausted
Before the words of my Lord were exhausted,
Even if We were to add another ocean to it.”

            ~ The Quran (Chapter 18: Verse 109)