Mary Healy on A Biblical Renewal In The Catholic Church

[djeter]

http://payingattentiontothesky.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/dr_healymary.jpg?w=181&h=205
Dr. Healy

I don’t know whether I am on an extended whine here or whether I am on to something. One of the difficulties I have found in learning my faith is the absence of well written, insightful exegesis. It is as though I almost run across it from time to time rather than knowing where to find it.

I read an interview with Catholic scholar Mary Healy that seems to echo some of what I feel. I’ve summarized it and, better yet, I found a sample of her work that seems to illustrate what she is speaking to.

It’s all here if you would like to pursue the topic a bit further:

payingattentiontothesky.com/2010/02/25/a-biblical-renewal-in-the-catholic-church/

dj

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I’m an ex-Protestant, and of course, in Protestantism the Bible is the be-all and end-all of Chrisitan faith and guidance. Hence Protestants are usually well versed in the Bible. I even remember a Catholic priest saying “The Protestants are generally better at it (Bible study and exegesis) than we are”.

When Protestants talk about a “Home Group” or “Study Group” they mean a “Bible Study Group”.

Now I don’t have any doubt that our trained clergy are very familiar with the Bible and what it means. But I also haven’t got much doubt that as a whole Catholic laity don’t read their Bibles with the same regularity that Protestants do.

Personally I think we should place more emphasis on it (although I am a bit hypocritical in saying this as my own private devotional life is somewhat scatty at the moment).

On the other hand, if we were to set up “Catholic Home Groups”, I would like to think they would cover more ground than just “Bible Study”. There would also need to be discussion on Tradition, Sacraments, Marianism, Saints, the Papacy, Church History and a number of other issues. In many cases, the Bible underpins these aspects of Catholic faith.

To do this would be both more demanding, and more interesting than the usual Protestant set-up, which to be honest, can be a bit boring at times.

 

[djeter]

I’m an ex-Protestant, and of course, in Protestantism the Bible is the be-all and end-all of Chrisitan faith and guidance. Hence Protestants are usually well versed in the Bible. I even remember a Catholic priest saying “The Protestants are generally better at it (Bible study and exegesis) than we are”.

When Protestants talk about a “Home Group” or “Study Group” they mean a “Bible Study Group”.

Now I don’t have any doubt that our trained clergy are very familiar with the Bible and what it means. But I also haven’t got much doubt that as a whole Catholic laity don’t read their Bibles with the same regularity that Protestants do.

Personally I think we should place more emphasis on it (although I am a bit hypocritical in saying this as my own private devotional life is somewhat scatty at the moment).

On the other hand, if we were to set up “Catholic Home Groups”, I would like to think they would cover more ground than just “Bible Study”. There would also need to be discussion on Tradition, Sacraments, Marianism, Saints, the Papacy, Church History and a number of other issues. In many cases, the Bible underpins these aspects of Catholic faith.

To do this would be both more demanding, and more interesting than the usual Protestant set-up, which to be honest, can be a bit boring at times.

I’m really focussing on exegesis here Bob. Bible Study Groups are more about fellowship than the Bible.

If you read the post I gave a couple examples of what I mean. Hopefully after reading them you have the AH moment that I’m referring to. And the question remains, why is there so little of this?

dj

 

[NotWorthy]

I think Mary is part of a coordinated effort that is helping to improve Catholic catechesis. She wrote a very good study in the Gospel of Mark in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture Series. I think there are only 4 books currently released, but I intend to get them all. Some of the writers included Tim Gray, Scott Hahn, Curtis Mitch and I think Edward Sri.

Mary’s book is very VERY GOOD!

 

[Lancer]

I purchased Dr. Healy’s The Gospel of Mark which is part of The Catholic Commentary of Sacred Scripture (BakerAcademic, a division of Baker Publishing Group).

Dr. Healy is one of the General Editors (along with Peter S.Williamson–not familiar with him)…the series is getting notable and rave reviews from many…Cardinal Schonborn (Vienna & CCC); Archbishop Chaput (Denver); Jeff Cavins (The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study System); Father Donald Senior CP [Passionists Order] (President, Catholic Theological Union)…Father Benedict Groeschel CFR (Founder, Author, Retreat Master).

Regarding this volume (by Dr. Healy herself as the author)…Father Robert Karris, OFM (The Franciscan Institute, Saint Bonaventure University) writes:

"Mary Healy skillfully and insightfully moves her readers to plumb the spiritual depths of Mark’s Gospel. I have found her commentary a boon in homily preparation. If the other volumes in the The Catholic Commentary of Sacred Scripture live up to the high standard that Healy has attained, Catholic Christians will be enriched and grateful"

I bought the book for a friend named Mark…on Saint Marks feast day…after a few glances at it…I bought a second copy to keep for myself. Dr. Healy is a “long ball” hitter in baseball terms…she has “…knocked this one out of the park…”! Whenever I open the Bible (The Gospel of Mark) in her book with her commentary…I feel like the little kid in the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream store …“31 flavors”… and they are all stunningly excellent!

For your consideration…
Pax Christi

 

[Spencerian]

http://payingattentiontothesky.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/dr_healymary.jpg?w=181&h=205
Dr. Healy

I don’t know whether I am on an extended whine here or whether I am on to something. One of the difficulties I have found in learning my faith is the absence of well written, insightful exegesis. It is as though I almost run across it from time to time rather than knowing where to find it.

I read an interview with Catholic scholar Mary Healy that seems to echo some of what I feel. I’ve summarized it and, better yet, I found a sample of her work that seems to illustrate what she is speaking to.

It’s all here if you would like to pursue the topic a bit further:

payingattentiontothesky.com/2010/02/25/a-biblical-renewal-in-the-catholic-church/

dj

Wow.

Reading that brilliant excerpt is why I enjoy *CAL *and apologetics. The meat of the story. I didn’t know that there was a word for what the OP noted. Now I’m going to use the word “exegesis” repeatedly like a toddler learning to speak.

We Catholics do get more opportunity for great exegesis, thanks to the Church fathers and the magisterium and many saints. But, as my still-neophyte Bible study as a 5-year convert attests, detailed exegesis like this for every major element of the Bible is lacking–or just lacking a easy-to-find single reference that can sit next to a Bible.

A personal analogy: I’m a big fan of the The Matrix movie trilogy. (I should write a book on “How The Matrix Made Me Catholic” ) There is a lot of exegesis that can be done to this movie series, but, like many Christians and the Bible, most don’t want to take the time to go “deep” with the material.

Exegesis is why the Bible is so important, why the mere words and meanings become stories and truth and history and nuances of humor and humanity in all its glory and vanity.

Now I have to add Ms. Healy’s books to my recommended reading list.

 

[danlaupat]

I am currently reading Dr. Healy’s commentary on the Gospel of Mark and I must say that I am enjoying it thoroughly. It is scholarly, and deeply spiritual, and is helping me to soak up understanding and meaning that I did not grasp previously. I’m looking forward to reading other published commentaries in this series and also anxiously await the release of further commentaries.

 

[Alan55]

I think that there is a distinct lack of user-friendly study materials on the scriptures and doctrine for small-group or individual use in the Catholic Church. It’s a real problem, I think. Some, but not nearly enough.

I like the Sacra Pagina New Testament bible commentary series for personal bible study. I’ve used several and liked them all.

 

[NotWorthy]

I think that there is a distinct lack of user-friendly study materials on the scriptures and doctrine for small-group or individual use in the Catholic Church. It’s a real problem, I think. Some, but not nearly enough.

I like the Sacra Pagina New Testament bible commentary series for personal bible study. I’ve used several and liked them all.

I’ve been interested in the Sacred Pagina, but I haven’t tried it yet.

For user friendly study materials, have you looked at “Come and See” bible studies. I know you can find them at EmmausRoad.org

 

[Bookcat]

Both

The Catholic Commentary of Sacred Scripture

and

The Navarre Bible Commentary

are excellent!

and I should note too that they go well together in that they do not replace each other…they are certainly different works …both great works!

 

[Crumpy]

I think that there is a distinct lack of user-friendly study materials on the scriptures and doctrine for small-group or individual use in the Catholic Church. It’s a real problem, I think. Some, but not nearly enough.

I like the Sacra Pagina New Testament bible commentary series for personal bible study. I’ve used several and liked them all.

I managed to retire early and reading scripture and commentaries has become my most enjoyable pursuit.

There’s an issue of money involved, because buying a good set of commentaries doesn’t come cheap.

It’s OK with the Church, so I’m reading Jewish commentaries on parts of the Old 'Testament. Their commentaries are very scholarly, but not exhaustive. For example, in reading about the ten plagues that God sent to the Egyptians, I notice several of them involve killing off the cattle. Dead is dead, isn’t it? Why are there repetitive plagues for killing off the cattle. the Jewish commentary did not explain that or even address it.

On the other hand, the commentary on Jonah that I’m reading describes the survival of Jonah in the fish as nothing less than “resurrection” based on the language in his psalm. That’s a pretty strong thing to say.

I’ve often wondered what the sign of Jonah was, that Jesus was referring to. There are several choices for outstanding things in the book of Jonah. But, taken as this Jewish commentary explains, about Jonah’s resurrection, I have to assume that is exactly what Jesus was referring to, Now, I have the internal evidence from Jewish commentators about how the text supports “resurrection.”

I saw Mary Healy first on EWTN talking about this commentary on Mark, which led me to look for it and purchase it.

I think we are all waiting eagerly for His Holiness Benedict XVI’s motu proprio follow-up to the Synod last year on the use of the Bible in the Church. I am expecting a wonderful revolution in emphasis on scripture in the Church.

Let us pray that Benedict will also give us the second part of Jesus of Nazareth, which he anticipated in that volume.

 

[Crumpy]

I think that there is a distinct lack of user-friendly study materials on the scriptures and doctrine for small-group or individual use in the Catholic Church. It’s a real problem, I think. Some, but not nearly enough.

I like the Sacra Pagina New Testament bible commentary series for personal bible study. I’ve used several and liked them all.

I have written a number of posts praising the quality of the Jewish Publication Society Commentary on the Torah (5 volumes). This series really sets a remarkable standard for Biblical exegesis.

I’m looking for a Biblical commentary that would cover good, traditional exegesis that has gone on in the Church, along with a deliberate exposition on the four senses of scripture, as enumerated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

St. Bonaventure was a scripture scholar and enumerated a larger set of levels of meaning in scripture, eight senses (as explained in Eerdman’s History of Christianity). So, if we ever get a true Catholic genius in our generation, they would have a wide open field ot opportunity to teach us about scripture.

As the NAB translates the Psalmist

PSALM 1

True Happiness in God’s Law

1:1 * I

• Happy those who do not follow
  the counsel of the wicked,
  Nor go the way of sinners,
  nor sit in company with scoffers.

1:2 * Rather, the law of the LORD is their joy;
God’s law they study day and night.

1:3 They are like a tree
planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
whatever they do prospers.