Qohelet…the guy crying out from the canyon

Picture this: There’s a man standing in the middle of the Grand Canyon.  He feels so small standing in the midst of the towering rocks around him.  Eventually he comes to lament how small he actually is in the world.  He begins to think that he is nothing important compared to the huge, vast Creation around him.  It’s a vivid picture (a great illustration for us shared by Joy). 

This past Wednesday we talked about the Teacher philosophizing for us.  We breezed through about two and a half chapters!  One of the themes stemming from the readings was the reality of life and death.  If you weren’t able to join us, use the poem below to compare and contrast Ecclesiastes 6:10-8:17 with Dylan Thomas’ approach to this theme:

Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night

~ Dylan Thomas

 

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

We’re still hanging on to hear what you have to say, Qohelet

This week we are taking on a large task…reading Ecclesiastes 6:10- 8:17! It is a large section but follows the theme of ‘elusiveness.’ The journey has been long through this book but I hope that it has been filled with challenging questions and stretched you in ways that you may not have imagined when we started (but yes, it is still okay to think that our writer needs an anti-depressant or at least subtitles to go along with what he is talking about). And as we continue to walk along this path, let’s continue wrestling with the meaning for our own lives, the Lake View Presbyterian congregation, and how we see ourselves in the world. Keep on bringing the things that you wrestle with in your own life and your individual experiences…that’s what this space is for!

There are a lot of things to look forward to in the coming months. I have planned the remainder of our Ecclesiastes study to conclude the week before Thanksgiving. While there WILL NOT be young adult bible study the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when we return in December, it will already be the first week in Advent! In the coming weeks we will talk about what you would like to study for the Advent season or if you would like to take a break and return after the New Year. Think about it, comment on the blog, and/or bring your thoughts to bible study.

There was some lively discussion about the Reformed tradition and what it means to be Presbyterian last week…what a great way for us to learn about our congregation’s history and denomination, alongside of Scripture and conversation!  I hope that these discussions continue.  To help us along this journey, I have added two thinks to the “About” page on this blog.  One directs you to a page of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that shares a bit of information about the denomination.  The other will direct you to Wikipedia (yes, the most reliable source of online information…read that with sarcasm and a bit of a smirk!) and an article on the Protestant Reformation.  I hope this are a doorway into learning more about being Presbyterian and Reformed but, by no means, a stopping point for learning about this tradition and denomination.

I’m looking forward to our bible study this week!  Come with some goodies (if you want) and let’s continue walking with Qohelet in the mysteries of life.

Desiring and wanting

We’re back on track this week and continuing our study of Ecclesiastes. We will be reading and discussing Ecclesiastes 6 (click for the link).

We are moving to a new part of this text. Qohelet has taken us on a journey to illustrate that all is vanity…but now our writer is imparting wisdom about what to do with what we are given. From this shift in the book, well, maybe we will begin to get some more concrete answers?

See you all this Wednesday with the normal schedule:
6.30 Dinner
7-8.30 Bible study

A bit more contemplation

This Wednesday Joy will be leading the study on Ecclesiastes 4:9- 5:7. We’ll think about the benefits of being in community/ partnership, why we are drawn to underdogs as heroes (and what eventually happens even to these heroes), and our relationship to God.

Come with an open mind as we continue to explore Qohelet’s challenging text!

One more thing…

The text for this past week’s bible study reminded me of a sermon I delivered at a field education placement two years ago. Click on the “Gifts from God” page above to read the text of the sermon…it just so happens to be the same words we wrestled with Wednesday!

Food for Thought…musings from YABS

Last night’s study of Ecclesiastes left many of us wrestling with meaning in our lives, how we can be relevant in this world, and life in the “real world” (you know, when you are no longer subject to class periods and homework!). Below you will find some interesting links and conversation starters about these issues and the world in which we live. Feel free to post your thoughts!

Check out an article from Newsweek HERE. Jonathan Darman writes a letter to fellow young people in America…What do you think about his call to young adults? How do you forsee participation in this important election AND after the election?

The election is drawing near…and no matter what side you are on, it is important to be a part of it and give your voice a chance to be heard. Here is a celebrity call to action…What do you think? Does it make its point? Just who is the audience it is trying to appeal to?

Don’t forget the links below in last week’s post about science and religion!