Sacred Text Reading Group (Saturday)
Date(s) - 02/13/2021
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A twice-weekly online sacred text reading group. We meet on Saturdays, 4-5, and on Wednesdays, 12-1. All are wide open and you are welcome!
Using a spiritual-practice approach, in each session we will explore a different brief scriptural text in depth. The aims of the sessions are educational (learning something about the texts and traditions), spiritual/moral (discovering what the texts ask of us), and community-building (getting to know each other better). Our practice usually follows this version of Lectio Divina.
The facilitator will have a version of the text available to share; “bring” your own if you like. All are welcome, as are your suggestions of future texts. Group members also take turns facilitating, if they want to try that role.
To have check-in time, or if you are new and would like a brief orientation, arrive ten minutes early. And all are welcome to stay ten minutes after as well, for more getting-acquainted time.
How to join:
- Join this class from your Web browser: https://zoom.us/j/578882781
- Join this class using the Zoom app: Meeting ID: 578 882 781
- Join this class by phone: 669 900 9128 US (San Jose), Meeting ID: 578 882 781
- Join this class by on-tap on mobile phones: +16699009128,,578882781# US (San Jose)
- Phoning in, but not in the bay area? Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abL8clvIYT
Sacred Text Reading Group
Date(s) - 02/13/2021
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
A weekly online sacred text reading group with Amy
Using a spiritual-practice approach, in each session we will explore a different brief scriptural text in depth. The aims of the sessions are educational (learning something about the texts and traditions), spiritual/moral (discovering what the texts ask of us), and community-building (getting to know each other better). Amy will have a version of the text available to share; “bring” your own if you like. All are welcome, as are your suggestions of future texts. About half our readings so far have been those suggested by group members.
On Saturday, February 13, we’ll read this passage of the Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon:
Would that you were a brother to me,
suckling my mother’s breasts.
I would find you in the street, would kiss you,
and they would show no scorn for me. (they = watchmen mentioned elsewhere)
I would lead you, I would bring you
to my mother’s house, she would teach me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
from my pomegranate wine.
His left hand beneath my head,
his right hand embracing me.
I make you swear, O daughters of Jerusalem,
that you shall not rouse nor stir love
until it pleases. (8:1-4)
This earlier passage (3:1-4) provides some context:
On my couch at night
I sought him I love so.
I sought him but did not find him.
Let me rise and go round the town,
in the streets and in the square.
Let me seek him I love so.
I sought him but did not find him.
The watchmen who go round the town found me.
“Have you seen him I love so?”
I had barely passed on from them
when I found him I love so.
I held him and did not let go
till I brought him to my mother’s house,
and to the chamber of her who conceived me. (Robert Alter translation)
Bible Gateway has dozens of different translations of the Bible if you’d like to compare a few. The whole book is only these eight chapters long, if you want to read the whole thing.
How to join:
- Join this class from your Web browser: https://zoom.us/j/578882781
- Join this class using the Zoom app: Meeting ID: 578 882 781
- Join this class by phone: 669 900 9128 US (San Jose), Meeting ID: 578 882 781
- Join this class by on-tap on mobile phones: +16699009128,,578882781# US (San Jose)
- Phoning in, but not in the bay area? Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abL8clvIYT