We had 3 sessions with Pino di Luccio on Matthew's Gospel (we have 2 x 3 sessions remaining) and we are only up to Ch 13 - it will need a real speed up to get through to the end.
He has given us a very different vision for how to read this Gospel and his material has been challenging and thought provoking. Today he was looking at the Parables in Ch 13 and he spent quite a deal of time on the Parable of the Sower - not to explain it away but to highlight the incredible linkages in the Hebrew Bible which would have been understood and known by the first hearers of the Gospel and how they relate to the Jewish Feast of Sukkot (which is happening around us at this time).
He then started to take the other 6 Parables and showed how they could be seen as being expanded on by Chapters 14-20 but he has promised more about that tomorrow.
After lunch (and a brief nap) we had an opportunity to reflect on our 4 days in Galilee. The invitation was to say something, sing a song, write a poem, do a dance or use some audio visual presentation reflecting your story.
We started in the classroom for two audio visual presentations and then move into the room next door (the Salle de Sion) where we were 'entertained' by people making their responses. Some were in the form of simply telling their story, others were in song or poem but all were filled with a passion about what we had seen and been part of. Mine was a poem (with apologies to any poet - it might best have been called doggerel) and I've included that as an extra blog today.
Shortly after we had finished there we headed off into the new City to visit the Hebrew Catholic Community but along the way we met many Jewish families celebrating Sukkot. There was a real sense of joyous celebration with street performances but always with families. We had the opportunity to have a light meal before heading off to Mass.
The Mass was in Hebrew but the singing, once again, was beautiful and we were invited to participate as much as we could using books which provided a transliteration of the Hebrew. After Mass we were able to listen to Rev Dr David Neuhaus on the topic of The Complex Reality of Israel - Palestine. After last nights presentation by Dr Samah Jabr I wasn't sure what to expect but what we got was great.
David didn't deny that there were many mistakes but reminded us that condemning the people did not achieve anything - we need to work to acknowledge the mistakes and then help to find new ways of changing attitudes into the future. The message from Samah was the same - their methodology might differ but they are both passionate about seeking a new future.
From there we walked back to Ecce Homo via still busy streets as the people started to disperse and return to their homes.
Now bed.
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