For nearly three years, a group of six women have been studying Scripture under the leadership of Sr. Sarah at San Benito Monastery. We meet for two hours every Tuesday morning around the dining room table. The group includes a retired librarian, two retired teachers, a retired office manager, a retired accountant, and one who is both a retired secretary and a former airline stewardess. All have stories to tell. Over time, the class has become a welcome weekly diversion, as well as an opportunity to share on a variety of topics. One woman confesses that it is a good time for her to get away from her husband, who, now that he, too, is retired, is often under foot! We often enjoy a good joke.
If asked what we like best about the class, we would probably admit to preferring the coffee break. Initially we took turns bringing a treat to share, but this past year we have just taken a chance. There are times that we enjoy a dessert buffet of cookies, brownies, pastries, bars, and cakes, sampling a bit of each.
When the class began, it began at the beginning of the Bible, “in the beginning” with Genesis 1:1. The Book of Genesis, which is so full of wonderful stories, took a whole year for us to read and discuss, with breaks for Christmas and Easter, and a summer vacation. The next year we continued with Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. We skipped or summarized some of the legal portions, but even then we took the important passages. This year, we began with Deuteronomy and are now up to 1 Samuel. The current plan is to finish the stories of the prophet Samuel and Kings Saul and David. Then next year we will switch to Ruth, Esther, and at least one of the later prophets.
It seems like a good idea to extend some of this wealth to others. We hope you enjoy this blog and that it inspires you to pick up the good book and read it for yourself!