Miscellaneous Rambling
Benedict Groeschel frequently recommended that people sit down and read a gospel in one sitting. He said it would take 30-60 minutes, depending on which gospel (Mark being the shortest) and it would prove a powerful experience. I've tried it. I'm not sure I'd call it "powerful" or even "riveting," but I found it worthwhile and a different experience.
A young rabid atheist, Anthony Bloom (the Patriarchate of Moscow's diocese for Great Britain and Ireland), once sat down and started reading Mark in one sitting in order to refute some Christian tomfoolery he'd just heard. He said that, by the time he got to the third chapter, he became aware of a presence: "While I was reading the beginning of St. Mark's Gospel, before I reached the third chapter, I suddenly became aware that on the other side of my desk there was a presence. And the certainty was so strong that it was Christ standing there that it has never left me. This was the real turning-point. Because Christ was alive and I had been in his presence I could say with certainty that what the Gospel said about the crucifixion of the prophet of Galilee was true...".
Perhaps this week a person should also consider reading an entire book of the Bible. If you're following the Liturgy of the Hours, you'll tackle the bulk of Hebrews.
Also from today's Office of Readings: "To attain holiness, then, we must not only pattern our lives on Christ's by being gentle, humble and patient, we must also imitate him in his death." St. Basil.
