Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Dear Members of Our Saint Andrew’s Community:

As I stated in my BLOG yesterday, every day our “Witness Alongside Lambeth” has begun with study of the same Bible passages that the bishops are studying. In light of this parallel study effort, we are enabled to share spiritual insights with the bishops. This process also leads us to exercising “Compassionate Listening” to those around us with whom we disagree.

We are Studying the Gospel of John and seeing how John uses words and images as markers (signs) to guide his readers. Here are the passages we have studied thus far:

1. John 2:1-11: The Sign of the Wedding Feast at Cana – (please take your Bible and read this passage so you can participate in this Bible study). The following is a brief commentary to assist you in your own study of this passage. It will help you to understand the process we have been involved in:

The short exchange between Jesus and his mother in verses 3-4 is an example of the way that John encourages us to find more than one meaning in his Gospel stories. These stories describe what Jesus did and how different people responded, but they also proclaim who Jesus is. So, for example, verses 3-4 contain hints that more is going on than a simple conversation about the wine. John refers to Mary four times as “the mother of Jesus”, yet Jesus calls her “woman.” This was a respectful way for a man to address an unrelated woman in the Greek world, as we can see in John 4:21, 8:10 and 20:13 as well as in Matthew 15:28 and Luke 13:12. However, it was not customary for a son to address his mother in this way. Is John calling our attention to the unusual title “woman?” There is only one other occasion when Jesus calls his mother “woman,” (John 19:25-27) and his words to her in verse 7, “My hour has not yet come,” direct our attention to that occasion. John is again inviting us to ponder the mystery that everything in the ministry of Jesus, right from the beginning, is oriented toward the cross.

2. John 4:46-54: The Sign of the Healing of the Royal Official’s Son.
3. John 5:1-18: The Sign of the Healing at the Sheep Gate.
4. John 6:1-15: The Sign of the Feeding of the Masses.
5. John 6:16-21: The Sign of Walking on the Sea.

Arthur and I wish happiness and health and God’s peace for you all. You are in our prayers.

God Bless you. In Jesus’ love,

Sam and Arthur