This week's journal reflection will be on the Introduction and Chapter 1 of Megan McKenna's Not Counting Women and Children. I look forward to reading your reflections.
introduction: I like the way she starts off her book. It's like something I would do. The way she expresses how God's always speaking although we are all to loud to hear it. How we preach through stories that get retold for those after us. I wonder if our voice could be the voice of God. As if our voices our being drowned out by mindless things. If we are to represent Christ, why are cover our voices and not standing out. She says that the Word is open to different interpretation, that there are many meanings to one section, but ultimately it does center off, to God. I think at times we all miss the center. I know that when I read the Bible sometimes, I totally miss what the story is suppose to say. I suppose we take it to literal and we also don't understand the culture that happened back then. She chooses the lesser stories, which I think is great. It shows new light to those stories and also help us the human-like things that we missed with the bigger stories. It's true with what she says. God is that woman, that child, the poor, the forgotten.
The first thing that struck me in this section of the book is the first sentence of the introduction. Words aren’t only written down on paper or spoken. They don’t have to be tangible to be known and remembered. Reading the intro lead me to understand why we write these reflections. We are writing “midrash”-weird word, but powerful. We are looking for the deeper meaning, just like McKenna did with the story of feeding the 5,000- not including women and children. When she starts dissecting this story, the actual miracle actually changes. It’s not being able to feed all those people, a lot more than originally thought, with such a small amount of food; it’s having all those people, the ones ignored and pushed aside, being giving enough to give what they brought to those who had nothing. The way the author puts light on the disciples makes them seem selfish. I didn’t like this at first, but then I realized the 12 disciples are humans, not men who never made mistakes. We are like these disciples- we’ve all had a moment in our life where we wanted to be selfish and keep the one who could comfort us to ourselves. We have to take a page out the book of the “women and children,” and be prepared to give to others. I have always put aside the comment about the women and children. It had upset me that women were grouped with the children, as if their minds weren’t developed enough to be seen as important or useful, but I had just said it was because of the time of Jesus, the belittling of women was the usual. I hadn’t thought of it the way McKenna does- that they were mentioned because of the fact that they held so much importance. I also hadn’t thought about how the women and children meant more than just them but the unacknowledged at that time. They were the ones who lived their lives as Jesus wants, giving and not being selfish, like those who have a lot tend to be. We have to be the ones that bring the baskets and supplies just in case. We also have to know when to give these supplies, physical and spiritual. I liked the story of the oranges, but it makes me wonder whether I would have remembered to feed her. I feel strongly that I would give to the others and remembered them, but I’m not certain about giving to the reader. I hope to one day be in a similar situation, and remember that everybody needs sustenance, whether it is food, water, words, or just a hug.
I agree with Ana about us being too loud to hear the Word of God. I liked the part where McKenna said if we were all silent we would hear God saying the Commandments. I also agree with Ana's thoughts on the core of each interpretation. It can't be something completely different than in other interpretations, only shaped in a different way. We have to try to understand the literal while maintaining the seeing and hearing of the undercurrents in the scripture. I like how you think Ana; can't wait to hear more.
Like Erika mentioned, the first sentence to me was a really big eye opener. We hear her point of view of how she believes in Christ and how powerful He truly is that even His words live on. One thing that really struck me was a comment about how His word lives in all of us. I think beyond all things she has mentioned it has allowed me to realize how truly blessed we are. In the Bible, it mentions how Christ is literally the walking Word of God. Here we are some of us not even knowing we have this gift and in this way can even relate to Christ. Good Intro.
Chapter 1: She writes to us like Novel-a teaches us. Always remember to pray before you begin. I love it. -laughs- In a way I agree with Erika, my reaction was like hers, but I also took into account the time period. Ever since we have read Luke, I try to put myself in their time period when I read. Megan has a point, the scriptures do say," not counting women and childen," but doesn't that imply then as important. Jesus did say that the least of these are like me. Maybe not in those words, but like it. If we must give importance to the less of us, then in those times it was the women and children. I wonder if they considered the poor and sick apart of the women and children. I know they were the "untouchables," but aren't they somewhat doing that to the women and children. Maybe I'm being to hypocritical about it, but it just boggles me. The way she explains that story is amazing. I did neglect that John the Baptist was going to be killed, and that John was Jesus's cousin. I understand it more now. Like she said he needed time to reflect and mourn. I know if I was in the situation, I would want to go after the person that did this. It also sheds more light on the fact that Jesus is human. He is one of us. The pain he must have felt, must have been horrible and to know that your following to do something similar, also must take a toll. It's sad though, that he couldn't get away from the people to mourn. That they follow him, while all he wants to do is be. I know that if I was in the situation, I probably would've blow up in someone's face. At times, I think we all do that to each other. When someone wants alone time, other think something is wrong. At times I like to be alone, reflect, and think. I know that I can't if people are around. Most people assume something happened and then they become nosy. I kno I'm sometimes the person that comes and becomes nosy. I've been on both sides. I can relate to Jesus, which is awesome. -laughs- Wow. When she explains pity, I now see it in a totally new light. I knew what pity was, but not like this. She hits it right on the nail. I understand where she comes from with the pity is seen as a negative because I always thought that. Now I understand. I could never explain that emotion to someone when I felt it and now I can. When he spends the day with them, that is selfless of him. He could've gone on his own like he wanted to, but he didn't. When she explains the healing of the sick, I got it right away. I knew that saddness and pain, is sickness. At times we need to be healed emotional and spiritually, not always physically. I think that most people over looked the fact that at times those can be hurt.
Intro & Chapter 1: I get the feeling that this book is absolutely right, but again attacking the reader. While I was reading and it's mentioned, our practices in church originate from all the actions Jesus does in the gospel. I like the way she pin-points these actions. I would have read it like a normal story, but the interpretation gives a closer view to the meaning of the gospel. She starts with "Not Counting Women and Children." It illustrates the amount of people that were actually there BESIDES the men or the "included" contrary to the "excluded." We see this a lot in our everyday activities and vernacular. Whether it may be choosing a dodge ball player- in grammar school- the fat boy or the skinny boy, or when we refer to a party that our best friends are at, but we exclude the kids we do not like or that we feel indifferent about when we speak to our friends. The author puts Jesus out there as the "I am the leader and servant", but the righteous win here- I am not going to be disgruntled or change my mission because my cousin died. He will not die in vain. I will take up his walking stick and do a mile more. Jesus turns around and commands his disciples to do what they need and must do. We do not act like this everyday. It is the perfect model behavior in which we need to reflect and act upon. Jesus did it, why can’t we do it?
ANA what you wrote is really interesting. It is intriguing to me just by reading the first couple of sentences that talk about how we need to shut up so the man up stairs may be heard. We do not listen at all and when we are quiet we totally null and void all we hear. ERIKA I comprehend what you wrote about the women being counted among those of less reasoning as if they were not at all intelligent. Megan does point out that women were the smart ones. They always bring extra, but they bring. If it was not because of them the left over baskets would not have been recuperated by the disciples. BIONICA I agree. We do not see what we have in front of our eyes. Many times we totally disregard any and all gifts given to us because we are ungrateful, but at times distracted by the worldly influences and pressure of society or our homes.
I like the way Ja-mes put real life things we went through with this. The dodge-ball thing was an awesome example. Your right Ja-mes, why can't we just do what Jesus did.
Wow. Big reality check and a totally new understanding about this story. I honestly can say that i really didn't know that John died before this story. I had heard in middle school that this woman demanded his head but never to the extent of when this took place. When the author explains about what pity is, it kinda opened my eyes up to its meaning. I had always felt that pity was something those who are weak ask for in all actuality. After this, if anything, it's how one expresses it. As humans, we all need time to recuperate and we can see Christ's divinity represented when he hears about his cousin's death, takes it, and then performs this beautiful miracle. She then shows us that yes this is liturgy but not because of the multiplication of loaves, but people actually giving up and sharing. Another question that rises up is who exactly served? in fact who counted these five thousand? Not because i am a woman, but especially due to the social times, the women, the children even the poor, the sick, etc were probably the ones serving. It leads me to wonder is maybe Christ purposely summoned these people to serve because like he is serving, he relates to not only the powerful but is a child, a mother and a son. He represents every single person and serves as "dispenser" for the Lord.
I absolutely love the way Megan McKenna writes. Its amazing how she says that words can never disappear; they are always there. I had never thought about it and it is so true. I think that it gives this book and the author more credit because she knew that these words would be around forever in her book and in people's minds. So she wouldn't just put any information without research. I don't know how many times I have heard this scripture, yet I see it now completely different. The way she broke it down made so much sense to me. This scripture entails almost everything about our lives as Christians and how we have to live it. It's funny because I think we all find ourselves as each one of the characters at some point in our lives. Many times we are the crowd that is lost and needs someone's help or some advice. I know that I find myself going to people that I trust often for help. Other times we are the ones people go to for help. As a LIFE leader I am very happy to put myself behind others when I see they need help as I did recently in school. It's kind of wierd because I hadn't thought about that after it happenned until now and what it was that I did at that moment until now because it just came natural to me at that moment. Then of course many times we are the selfish disciples that want to keep a friend all to ourselves and get jealous when our friend begins to spend a lot of time with someone else. I was one of those people that thought it was like a miracle of just bread appearing out of mid-air, but now I see that people sharing and giving at a moment like that is an even bigger miracle.
Bianca I totally agree with you about her explanation on pity. It amazed me because I was one wouldn't want people to pity me because I felt tlike that would be looking down on me as if they were superior. I can see what your saying about the women and children serving but I thought that Jesus told the disciples to serve and hand out the loaves of bread and fish. Well, if everyone was sharing then wouldn't everyone be openly serving each other.
I’m not much of a reader actually if you ask people I hate reading I find it really boring and it takes a writer to be really good to keep me reading their book and many haven’t done it to tell you the truth a lot of books leave me not wanting to read them but I do only because my school is making me in order to take a test on them so I need to read the book so I can past the test an even then knowing that I don’t even read the book. But just in the introduction Megan McKenna got me hooked on the book and I want to read more and see what else she has to say and just to add to how good the introduction was this would be one of the first times that a write can get my attention in just the introduction. I agree with Megan all the way if we would stop talking as she say that I took it as push are views and what we think is right on everyone we meet and actually stop an listen to what other have to say an their views we will be able to hear what God has to say to us for he talks to us threw others but if we don’t let others talk to us we will never hear what HE has to say to us. I also agree that the word never disappear its always there for us when we are willing to listen and give it the time it deserves for it is the truth and like we hear many preachers say the truth shall set us free we just have to let it into are hearts and are minds another thing I agree with that she mentioned in the introduction is that the word goes on and we are called to spread it on to all the generations after us any way we see fit to do we just got to get it done even if it never disappear if we don’t remind people its there they will never give the time to it that the should be doing because I know that I don’t give as much time as a I should sometimes because I get caught up with my day to day so I just push it aside for another day when really I should give it the time now an not later. In the first chapter it talks about the story of the feeding of the thousand not counting women and children, and how the ratio leaves us really say it’s really thirty five thousand. It also say how Jesus is human and he is worried about what is next and also what he should do about the death or Joan because he know if he picks up the role of John he would be killed no matter what but even then when he feels horrible and needing time to him selves he is fallowed by a group of people that fallowed Joan and they are lost with no leader so they know of Jesus an take him up as their leader and even though he needs his time to think of what is next for him in his life he sees the masses needing his life and puts them first over his own needs but remembering whatever he does now will define his future. An so Jesus spends entire day with them and him and the crowd build a relationship with each other and want to stay with him to learn and hear the word as we are called to do but the disciples that have also been there all day are being like we are at times and only thing of themselves an the needs they have an wanting to have Jesus for themselves and not wanting to share they even go to the extent of telling Jesus to get rid of them so they can be alone but Jesus say no because that isn’t right an we are all called to serve those that really need are help no matter if it means putting are own needs second an so Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd with whatever they have on them that originally was only sufficient for them alone. I go a totally new out look on the story of the multiplication of the bread and fish in the fact that the women and children not counted really stood for all those people in society that are pushed aside for many reason and at the same time most likely brought whatever they need to t survive and at the end them see Jesus sharing what he and the disciples had showed them they should do the same and we are called to do that to give of what we have to those that don’t have and really need because is that the world will be a better place and the kingdom of God shall be on earth I believe it but I find it super hard for it to happen especially in the world we live in because all we care about is me first then everyone else and even me that I don’t mine helping people can find myself worrying about me then letting others deal with their own stuff because I want to see that I am happy and don’t really care about other people. So I agree we are called to serve and taking the word fully and see what God is trying to really get to us but at the same time I believe that the world including myself to reach this goal fully needs a lot of work and dedication that I don’t see in many people at all.
Intro: I found the introduction very interesting and it made me want to continue and read on more. Megan McKenna did a very good job giving a description of what to expect from the novel and for this I was interested in reading on. I was really lured into what she was saying because everything stated in the introduction was true, "They have a home among us, waiting for us to recognize and hear them again."("they" being the words of God) I thought that this quote was very powerful because the word of God is constantly living among us, it is up to us to choose to hear it or ignore it. The way McKenna wrote it was perfect and made a lot of sense to me. I also feel that this novel isn't going to be one of those novels that only a scholar would understand, but a novel that everyone can relate to and understand, which I like. This introduction has really made me think and learn a lot that I have never thought about before until i read it, so I'm excited to see what the rest of the novel will expose me to.
The first sentence of the book is a great attention grabber. "Words do not disappear". How right can she be? Words never do disappear because when we remember situations, we always seem to remember the words spoken. Or when someone hurts us, words always seem to hurt more than physical pain, because they stick with us a lot longer. Aslo, she is absolutely right when she says the Word of God never disappears because it's all around us, but we never seem to listen to it or don't seem to notice it.
When I read the passage of the feeding of the five thousand, I was shocked at the end, because I have read that passage so many times and I have never taken into account that the last sentence words are "not counting women and children". I agree with McKenna that it's a real hanging phrase in the aspect that if u read it a certain way those last words just stay suspended in the air after the passage is finsihed. Why not counting women and children? I would have never interpreted this passage the way she goes ahead and does and now I do not see how this story can make anymore sense any other way. It was a real eye opener because she uncovered the real miracle beign told in the story. Because I was one of those people who thought that Jesus miraclously made loaves of bread and tons of fish appear out of nowhere. After reading what she had to say, I can actually believe that that is what actually happened. The bread and fish couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere, even though Jesus could have made it happen(because Jesus rocks like that). The food had to come from somewhere, and maybe the uncounted people were the ones responsible for it. Like McKenna said, the true miracle was getting all those people trust each other enough to share their food, not the creation of the food. There was even enough food left over! I also liked the way she talked about the disciples giving up their food and ate after the crowd had their fill. Thats is what Jesus was trying to teach them. We must learn how to put others' needs before our own and take in our needs after everyone has had their fill. I think it'll be a good idea to have the priest to have the Eucharist after the congregation has eaten for themselves, in order to show the real way Jesus would have done it. But old traditions are hard to break, and there is really nothing we can do.
Nikki, I love how you explained how we are each a different character of this story at different times. Being the advice gover or taker, the selfish or the selfless. It's true that sometimes we must put the needs of others before ours, but we should also remember that this favor will be returned to us eventually, even if it isn't in this life.
Nikki I totally agree with about seeing this gospel reading in a new light and how it explains different times of are lives and how we real do play a role in each character in the story and I also thought the miracle was the bread coming out of no were but now I see the real miracle is everyone sharing with each other because that’s something that is actually harder to believe I think then Jesus making bread come out of thin-air. James I’m with you in the truthfulness of her writings and in the point of attacking the reader yes you are right that it does but I understand in the way she is getting her point across because if you try to sugar coat things people loose the point so its better to just be blunt about it so there is no chance of being misunderstood but I have to say the comparison to a dodge-ball game in middle school is a really good one and agree with it all the way and I ask the same question that you did if Jesus can do it why cant we? Ana I agree with you all the way about us being to loud to hear the word of God that is around us if we really stop to listen to it and I also agree that at times we do miss the meaning of what scripture is trying to tell us because it happens with me but I say that with time, practice, dedication, and the experiences we get threw are lives we will learn how to really understand fully what scripture is trying to tell us.
Yea Ana, when she started talking about John the Baptist's death, I realized that I had totally not taken the card into effect. I would totally understand why Jesus would want to be alone and left to grieve, but he is Jesus, come one, He wouldn't leave that huge crowd wandering around aimlessly.
I agree with you Kat- Jesus just rocks like that. He makes us see the true way to be a child of God, by serving others in their time of need, even if you are in need too. I also am like you in the sense that I saw the magic appearing of the food before, but now I understand the miracle of trust and understanding. As for the tradition of the Eucharist, I think the church will need a lot more time before they even consider changing the Mass in such a way, even though I agree that it would make the Eucharist even more real.
James, I think you are right about Jesus not letting his cousin die in vain, but as humans this would be much more difficult for us to let go. I think our instinct will kick in (the one that tells us that we should care for ourselves first) and we get all the time we need to grieve. But I still think we should try it, like Jesus did.
Chapter 1 I like how in the very beginning of this chapter McKenna requests that readers ask the Holy Spirit to help them understand and open their ears.
Well, this chapter focuses on miracle where Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and fish and gives it to thousands of people. When I would read the actual scripture as it was written before, I didn't even notice the part "not counting women and children". Now that I think of it, I wonder why whoever wrote this passage in the bible would have to single out the women and children.
McKenna also points out that Jesus is human, which I tend to overlook a lot of the time. Jesus was man and he had needs too. I like how she in a way presented things in Jesus' point of view. Take John the Baptist's execution for example, did people care that Jesus was greiving and filled with sorrow? Jesus is human and he is going to hurt, but a lot of the people were busy caring about only themselves to realize. Thinking about this makes me feel bad because Jesus had to constantly cater to the needs of the people first and worried about himself last.
Another imporant point that I found inspiring was McKenna's views on discipleship. She says everything straightforward without any small talk and gets straight to the point,which is what everyone needs to do to get their point across. I can learn a lot about discipleship, and follow her advice simply because I think that we all need to take that risk and let go. These words are very inspiring to hear but words are easier said than done.
Already this chapter has so many good points that everyone can learn from. I realize that Jesus did so many things for us and is the perfect example that we should all be inspired by. He did so much for us and my eyes have been opened because I am guilty of forgetting that Jesus too was human and had to do everything for himself as every other human would. It is amazing to know that this one man has changed the world.
"People always begin to realize the practical dimensions of getting what we need, rather than what we choose or want." Well said. Sooner or later if we allow it, I think we will be able to realize what is good for us rather than what makes us happy. The reward is in the end, and we just need to realize. It doesn't matter how long it takes us to realize this, as long as we realize it.
Gaby, I'm really glad this book actually coaught your attention because it really sucks when you have to read a book you don't like. And I agree with you that the world has to learn what dedication really means, but it can't be changed all at once, we have to start out small.
I totally agree with kat. It should change, but like Erika said," It'll be awhile." I'm so excited about all of this. I love all of your points of views. It helps round the jagged edges. I love what Jill wrote. Totally true. This book has me on hook, line, and sinker. Blogging rocks by the way. It's like a new insight on all the people I already knew. :0]
ANA I have to agree with your view on the definition of pity. I was really confused when McKenna used that term to show how Jesus feels toward his people but as I kept reading on I understood and was like, "Wow I've never thought of that word to be used in that way."
Erica I really liked your point on how women and children were always put aside. Reading on in the chapter, I also started to realize that maybe the women and children weren't put aside to be mean or anything like that, but put aside as an example to show everyone else that there are people who obey God's word and do their best to follow Him.
James I really liked your reflection, and like McKenna's writings, you wrote it very well. I understand where you are coming from and these exclusions back then of the women and children take place today as well, maybe just not for women and children though, but for people who are different. I also very much agree that Jesus is the perfect example that we should follow, and he was on this earth to show us that it is not impossible to do what is right because Jesus did it.
sorry I'm late in posting guys. rough week. ANYWAYS i loved the intro/chapter. i especially liked the twist she put on the story of the feeding of the 5000. i always pictured it as the disciples just passing out bread and fish to everyone and they just waited for it to get to them and there never ran out. very "miracle-y" in my vision of the story. But she just completely flipped my entire view of how the stories of the Bible work. The people in the Bible, that includes Jesus, functioned so much like they do today. they aren't fictitious people that do things in very foreign ways. The women and children part for example. Ive read that story several times and never once even considered that sentence fragment to be so important. i gave it no meaning at all and continued reading. I think the chapter is also going to help me read the Bible in a new light, like being able to read deeper into the story and not see the story for just the surface. one way that really helps this is midrash. reading the commentary/footnote things on the bottom of the Bible pages can help you get a feel for whats happening around the time of the story so you can understand the story better. Through midrash of different generations, we learn from many interpretations and then we can form our own and pass it down. We as a community function with and through everyone else and we learn from everyone around us.
Nikki: I completely agree with your view on her writing style. She writes so clearly, its almost conversational. like i can hear her someone explaining this to me verbally y with the same words. It makes it easier to read and understand, especially when she is trying to explain a familiar story in a completely different way from what we are used to.
James: I dont agree that she is attacking the reader, one because her tone is rarely forceful. If anything she is reinforcing the need for us to be community and selfless by using the explanation of the story in a way we haven't seen it before. As for everything else i agree with you. The story shows that Jesus was in fact human, but also that he had amazing will power to act so selflessly in the situation given. He's the man.
Jill: Agreed. The intro was a great setup and made me want to read more. and i also agree with the fact that the book seems to be easy to read and understand. i have a feeling the book is going to be influential to our ministry, just by reading the intro and first chapter.
Introduction: I like how Ms. McKenna writes converstaionally. I agree with her statement saying that "The word of God never disappear." However, I do think that words can disappear with time, especially if they aren't repeated or remembered. But if they're written on paper and in our hearts and souls it has value. Words can go a long way.
Words are ways of expressing a person's self and emotions. I find it easier to type or write words to another person than say it to their face. And I think a lot of people are like that. They really don't like to have that confrontational conversation becuase of the fear of rejection.
I agree with what Ms. McKenna is saying that the bible is full of commentaries and commentaries on comments. Her introduction has really gotten my attention to read and listen to her views, comments, and interpretations.
I think sometimes we should just sit and learn to listen to others opinions even if we disagree.
Responding to Ana: I do truly believe that our voice is the voice of God because he created us in his image and likeness. And whatever we day or do is a reflection of God, which why I sometimes get angry at others for treating people in an unloving manner.
When I first heard the title, I became angry because why wouldn't they count women and children? Women make up more than half the world. It's women who give birth to children and men. But then when I started thinking about it. I remembered that throughout history, and even still today, it is a patriarchal society. We have men who are priests. Men are considered the head of the household. Women give up their maiden name for their husband's last name, of course if she chooses, but not in the old days.
When I first read the quoted passage, I responded like how I normally respond. "This is a great story. Look at how Jesus turned those few loaves of bread into a multiple amount to feed the masses. What a miracle!" Then, as I read along, McKenna explained the production of more loaves of bread and fish with an excess amount of twelve baskets full logically. It made sense that these crowds of people would take food with them. But that made me think. If I thought it was a miracle just like how Jesus turned the water into wine, what would other people think? Would they get angry at McKenna for explaining the passage logically? And perhaps blame her of undermining God's powers? Despite these questions, I applaud McKenna for helping me understand the details of this short, but powerful story.
What hit me the hardest though is what McKenna said about putting ourselves aside and going out performing the activities that Jesus did and what God only asks of us - that we should feed everyone else before we feed us. And before she even mentioned the priests and clergy members, I thought about how the priest feeds himself with the body of Christ and then the clergy. At that point it also made me realize about somehitn my dad said while we were conversing about religion - why do we call the priests "Father so-so". They are not our fathers, God it OUR FATHER. Isn't that like idoling flase idols or something?
McKenna gives us a better understanding of this passage and reminds us to do what God asks of us. We should always share and feed those who are less unfortunate than us. But I think it will take a huge amount of people to stand up to the government like she said, and I think it might not be done, at least at this time and age.
James: I agree with James about saying how we exclude the fat or skinny kids or unpopular from our lives. and how many times have I heard this senior year some kids say that I've never seen those kids before my entire life here at Pace. It's because we choose to do that.
Jill and Alex: I agree with both of you on how the introduction made you want to read the book, but I must I was a little afirad because I know that somethings McKenna will state will reflect on my actions and words.
Mr. Novela: We should try out that orange feeding activity.
Thank you all so much for your reflections, i enjoyed reading them all. I hope you also enjoyed reading each other's insight and most importantly, the book itself. I look forward to your future posts.
The introduction was ok.it made me think alot about how a moment in life can be such a big thing. and i thought it was amazing the thought of everyone in the world stopping with there busy lives just to listen to the voice of god. chapter 1 i liked from the real number of the crowd that followed him to what his disciples could and could not do. i liked the fact that the author brakes down the scripture.and i understand it more and never saw all the hidden messages. and reading the book show me that all the people behind the scenes made a difference whether they were aknowledged in the bible or not.
I beleive that the beginning of chapter 1 started off very well because it showed how god is in all of us and i'm a firm beleiver of that. i beleive that the middle of the first paragraph became even more exhilarating it was as if the author was speaking with tongues of fire, i became even more arroused with every word, it erected a feeling of self empowerment and faith in God wich empregnated my mind with such love for the purity of God. I beleive that the ending of paragraph 1 was a climax of a great mind expresing the gospels in a way i have never experienced before in my life.
34 comments:
introduction:
I like the way she starts off her book. It's like something I would do. The way she expresses how God's always speaking although we are all to loud to hear it. How we preach through stories that get retold for those after us. I wonder if our voice could be the voice of God. As if our voices our being drowned out by mindless things. If we are to represent Christ, why are cover our voices and not standing out.
She says that the Word is open to different interpretation, that there are many meanings to one section, but ultimately it does center off, to God. I think at times we all miss the center. I know that when I read the Bible sometimes, I totally miss what the story is suppose to say. I suppose we take it to literal and we also don't understand the culture that happened back then. She chooses the lesser stories, which I think is great. It shows new light to those stories and also help us the human-like things that we missed with the bigger stories. It's true with what she says. God is that woman, that child, the poor, the forgotten.
The first thing that struck me in this section of the book is the first sentence of the introduction. Words aren’t only written down on paper or spoken. They don’t have to be tangible to be known and remembered. Reading the intro lead me to understand why we write these reflections. We are writing “midrash”-weird word, but powerful. We are looking for the deeper meaning, just like McKenna did with the story of feeding the 5,000- not including women and children. When she starts dissecting this story, the actual miracle actually changes. It’s not being able to feed all those people, a lot more than originally thought, with such a small amount of food; it’s having all those people, the ones ignored and pushed aside, being giving enough to give what they brought to those who had nothing. The way the author puts light on the disciples makes them seem selfish. I didn’t like this at first, but then I realized the 12 disciples are humans, not men who never made mistakes. We are like these disciples- we’ve all had a moment in our life where we wanted to be selfish and keep the one who could comfort us to ourselves. We have to take a page out the book of the “women and children,” and be prepared to give to others.
I have always put aside the comment about the women and children. It had upset me that women were grouped with the children, as if their minds weren’t developed enough to be seen as important or useful, but I had just said it was because of the time of Jesus, the belittling of women was the usual. I hadn’t thought of it the way McKenna does- that they were mentioned because of the fact that they held so much importance. I also hadn’t thought about how the women and children meant more than just them but the unacknowledged at that time. They were the ones who lived their lives as Jesus wants, giving and not being selfish, like those who have a lot tend to be. We have to be the ones that bring the baskets and supplies just in case. We also have to know when to give these supplies, physical and spiritual. I liked the story of the oranges, but it makes me wonder whether I would have remembered to feed her. I feel strongly that I would give to the others and remembered them, but I’m not certain about giving to the reader. I hope to one day be in a similar situation, and remember that everybody needs sustenance, whether it is food, water, words, or just a hug.
I agree with Ana about us being too loud to hear the Word of God. I liked the part where McKenna said if we were all silent we would hear God saying the Commandments. I also agree with Ana's thoughts on the core of each interpretation. It can't be something completely different than in other interpretations, only shaped in a different way. We have to try to understand the literal while maintaining the seeing and hearing of the undercurrents in the scripture. I like how you think Ana; can't wait to hear more.
Like Erika mentioned, the first sentence to me was a really big eye opener. We hear her point of view of how she believes in Christ and how powerful He truly is that even His words live on. One thing that really struck me was a comment about how His word lives in all of us. I think beyond all things she has mentioned it has allowed me to realize how truly blessed we are. In the Bible, it mentions how Christ is literally the walking Word of God. Here we are some of us not even knowing we have this gift and in this way can even relate to Christ. Good Intro.
Chapter 1:
She writes to us like Novel-a teaches us. Always remember to pray before you begin. I love it. -laughs- In a way I agree with Erika, my reaction was like hers, but I also took into account the time period. Ever since we have read Luke, I try to put myself in their time period when I read. Megan has a point, the scriptures do say," not counting women and childen," but doesn't that imply then as important. Jesus did say that the least of these are like me. Maybe not in those words, but like it. If we must give importance to the less of us, then in those times it was the women and children. I wonder if they considered the poor and sick apart of the women and children. I know they were the "untouchables," but aren't they somewhat doing that to the women and children. Maybe I'm being to hypocritical about it, but it just boggles me.
The way she explains that story is amazing. I did neglect that John the Baptist was going to be killed, and that John was Jesus's cousin. I understand it more now. Like she said he needed time to reflect and mourn. I know if I was in the situation, I would want to go after the person that did this. It also sheds more light on the fact that Jesus is human. He is one of us. The pain he must have felt, must have been horrible and to know that your following to do something similar, also must take a toll.
It's sad though, that he couldn't get away from the people to mourn. That they follow him, while all he wants to do is be. I know that if I was in the situation, I probably would've blow up in someone's face. At times, I think we all do that to each other. When someone wants alone time, other think something is wrong. At times I like to be alone, reflect, and think. I know that I can't if people are around. Most people assume something happened and then they become nosy. I kno I'm sometimes the person that comes and becomes nosy. I've been on both sides. I can relate to Jesus, which is awesome. -laughs-
Wow. When she explains pity, I now see it in a totally new light. I knew what pity was, but not like this. She hits it right on the nail. I understand where she comes from with the pity is seen as a negative because I always thought that. Now I understand. I could never explain that emotion to someone when I felt it and now I can.
When he spends the day with them, that is selfless of him. He could've gone on his own like he wanted to, but he didn't. When she explains the healing of the sick, I got it right away. I knew that saddness and pain, is sickness. At times we need to be healed emotional and spiritually, not always physically. I think that most people over looked the fact that at times those can be hurt.
Intro & Chapter 1:
I get the feeling that this book is absolutely right, but again attacking the reader. While I was reading and it's mentioned, our practices in church originate from all the actions Jesus does in the gospel. I like the way she pin-points these actions. I would have read it like a normal story, but the interpretation gives a closer view to the meaning of the gospel.
She starts with "Not Counting Women and Children." It illustrates the amount of people that were actually there BESIDES the men or the "included" contrary to the "excluded." We see this a lot in our everyday activities and vernacular. Whether it may be choosing a dodge ball player- in grammar school- the fat boy or the skinny boy, or when we refer to a party that our best friends are at, but we exclude the kids we do not like or that we feel indifferent about when we speak to our friends.
The author puts Jesus out there as the "I am the leader and servant", but the righteous win here- I am not going to be disgruntled or change my mission because my cousin died. He will not die in vain. I will take up his walking stick and do a mile more. Jesus turns around and commands his disciples to do what they need and must do. We do not act like this everyday. It is the perfect model behavior in which we need to reflect and act upon. Jesus did it, why can’t we do it?
ANA what you wrote is really interesting. It is intriguing to me just by reading the first couple of sentences that talk about how we need to shut up so the man up stairs may be heard. We do not listen at all and when we are quiet we totally null and void all we hear.
ERIKA I comprehend what you wrote about the women being counted among those of less reasoning as if they were not at all intelligent. Megan does point out that women were the smart ones. They always bring extra, but they bring. If it was not because of them the left over baskets would not have been recuperated by the disciples.
BIONICA I agree. We do not see what we have in front of our eyes. Many times we totally disregard any and all gifts given to us because we are ungrateful, but at times distracted by the worldly influences and pressure of society or our homes.
I like the way Ja-mes put real life things we went through with this. The dodge-ball thing was an awesome example. Your right Ja-mes, why can't we just do what Jesus did.
Wow. Big reality check and a totally new understanding about this story. I honestly can say that i really didn't know that John died before this story. I had heard in middle school that this woman demanded his head but never to the extent of when this took place. When the author explains about what pity is, it kinda opened my eyes up to its meaning. I had always felt that pity was something those who are weak ask for in all actuality. After this, if anything, it's how one expresses it. As humans, we all need time to recuperate and we can see Christ's divinity represented when he hears about his cousin's death, takes it, and then performs this beautiful miracle. She then shows us that yes this is liturgy but not because of the multiplication of loaves, but people actually giving up and sharing.
Another question that rises up is who exactly served? in fact who counted these five thousand? Not because i am a woman, but especially due to the social times, the women, the children even the poor, the sick, etc were probably the ones serving. It leads me to wonder is maybe Christ purposely summoned these people to serve because like he is serving, he relates to not only the powerful but is a child, a mother and a son. He represents every single person and serves as "dispenser" for the Lord.
I absolutely love the way Megan McKenna writes. Its amazing how she says that words can never disappear; they are always there. I had never thought about it and it is so true. I think that it gives this book and the author more credit because she knew that these words would be around forever in her book and in people's minds. So she wouldn't just put any information without research.
I don't know how many times I have heard this scripture, yet I see it now completely different. The way she broke it down made so much sense to me. This scripture entails almost everything about our lives as Christians and how we have to live it. It's funny because I think we all find ourselves as each one of the characters at some point in our lives. Many times we are the crowd that is lost and needs someone's help or some advice. I know that I find myself going to people that I trust often for help. Other times we are the ones people go to for help. As a LIFE leader I am very happy to put myself behind others when I see they need help as I did recently in school. It's kind of wierd because I hadn't thought about that after it happenned until now and what it was that I did at that moment until now because it just came natural to me at that moment. Then of course many times we are the selfish disciples that want to keep a friend all to ourselves and get jealous when our friend begins to spend a lot of time with someone else.
I was one of those people that thought it was like a miracle of just bread appearing out of mid-air, but now I see that people sharing and giving at a moment like that is an even bigger miracle.
Bianca
I totally agree with you about her explanation on pity. It amazed me because I was one wouldn't want people to pity me because I felt tlike that would be looking down on me as if they were superior. I can see what your saying about the women and children serving but I thought that Jesus told the disciples to serve and hand out the loaves of bread and fish. Well, if everyone was sharing then wouldn't everyone be openly serving each other.
I’m not much of a reader actually if you ask people I hate reading I find it really boring and it takes a writer to be really good to keep me reading their book and many haven’t done it to tell you the truth a lot of books leave me not wanting to read them but I do only because my school is making me in order to take a test on them so I need to read the book so I can past the test an even then knowing that I don’t even read the book. But just in the introduction Megan McKenna got me hooked on the book and I want to read more and see what else she has to say and just to add to how good the introduction was this would be one of the first times that a write can get my attention in just the introduction. I agree with Megan all the way if we would stop talking as she say that I took it as push are views and what we think is right on everyone we meet and actually stop an listen to what other have to say an their views we will be able to hear what God has to say to us for he talks to us threw others but if we don’t let others talk to us we will never hear what HE has to say to us. I also agree that the word never disappear its always there for us when we are willing to listen and give it the time it deserves for it is the truth and like we hear many preachers say the truth shall set us free we just have to let it into are hearts and are minds another thing I agree with that she mentioned in the introduction is that the word goes on and we are called to spread it on to all the generations after us any way we see fit to do we just got to get it done even if it never disappear if we don’t remind people its there they will never give the time to it that the should be doing because I know that I don’t give as much time as a I should sometimes because I get caught up with my day to day so I just push it aside for another day when really I should give it the time now an not later.
In the first chapter it talks about the story of the feeding of the thousand not counting women and children, and how the ratio leaves us really say it’s really thirty five thousand. It also say how Jesus is human and he is worried about what is next and also what he should do about the death or Joan because he know if he picks up the role of John he would be killed no matter what but even then when he feels horrible and needing time to him selves he is fallowed by a group of people that fallowed Joan and they are lost with no leader so they know of Jesus an take him up as their leader and even though he needs his time to think of what is next for him in his life he sees the masses needing his life and puts them first over his own needs but remembering whatever he does now will define his future. An so Jesus spends entire day with them and him and the crowd build a relationship with each other and want to stay with him to learn and hear the word as we are called to do but the disciples that have also been there all day are being like we are at times and only thing of themselves an the needs they have an wanting to have Jesus for themselves and not wanting to share they even go to the extent of telling Jesus to get rid of them so they can be alone but Jesus say no because that isn’t right an we are all called to serve those that really need are help no matter if it means putting are own needs second an so Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd with whatever they have on them that originally was only sufficient for them alone. I go a totally new out look on the story of the multiplication of the bread and fish in the fact that the women and children not counted really stood for all those people in society that are pushed aside for many reason and at the same time most likely brought whatever they need to t survive and at the end them see Jesus sharing what he and the disciples had showed them they should do the same and we are called to do that to give of what we have to those that don’t have and really need because is that the world will be a better place and the kingdom of God shall be on earth I believe it but I find it super hard for it to happen especially in the world we live in because all we care about is me first then everyone else and even me that I don’t mine helping people can find myself worrying about me then letting others deal with their own stuff because I want to see that I am happy and don’t really care about other people. So I agree we are called to serve and taking the word fully and see what God is trying to really get to us but at the same time I believe that the world including myself to reach this goal fully needs a lot of work and dedication that I don’t see in many people at all.
(Sorry guys for the bulkiness)
Intro:
I found the introduction very interesting and it made me want to continue and read on more. Megan McKenna did a very good job giving a description of what to expect from the novel and for this I was interested in reading on. I was really lured into what she was saying because everything stated in the introduction was true, "They have a home among us, waiting for us to recognize and hear them again."("they" being the words of God) I thought that this quote was very powerful because the word of God is constantly living among us, it is up to us to choose to hear it or ignore it. The way McKenna wrote it was perfect and made a lot of sense to me.
I also feel that this novel isn't going to be one of those novels that only a scholar would understand, but a novel that everyone can relate to and understand, which I like. This introduction has really made me think and learn a lot that I have never thought about before until i read it, so I'm excited to see what the rest of the novel will expose me to.
The first sentence of the book is a great attention grabber. "Words do not disappear". How right can she be? Words never do disappear because when we remember situations, we always seem to remember the words spoken. Or when someone hurts us, words always seem to hurt more than physical pain, because they stick with us a lot longer. Aslo, she is absolutely right when she says the Word of God never disappears because it's all around us, but we never seem to listen to it or don't seem to notice it.
When I read the passage of the feeding of the five thousand, I was shocked at the end, because I have read that passage so many times and I have never taken into account that the last sentence words are "not counting women and children". I agree with McKenna that it's a real hanging phrase in the aspect that if u read it a certain way those last words just stay suspended in the air after the passage is finsihed. Why not counting women and children?
I would have never interpreted this passage the way she goes ahead and does and now I do not see how this story can make anymore sense any other way. It was a real eye opener because she uncovered the real miracle beign told in the story. Because I was one of those people who thought that Jesus miraclously made loaves of bread and tons of fish appear out of nowhere. After reading what she had to say, I can actually believe that that is what actually happened. The bread and fish couldn't have just appeared out of nowhere, even though Jesus could have made it happen(because Jesus rocks like that). The food had to come from somewhere, and maybe the uncounted people were the ones responsible for it. Like McKenna said, the true miracle was getting all those people trust each other enough to share their food, not the creation of the food. There was even enough food left over! I also liked the way she talked about the disciples giving up their food and ate after the crowd had their fill. Thats is what Jesus was trying to teach them. We must learn how to put others' needs before our own and take in our needs after everyone has had their fill. I think it'll be a good idea to have the priest to have the Eucharist after the congregation has eaten for themselves, in order to show the real way Jesus would have done it. But old traditions are hard to break, and there is really nothing we can do.
Nikki, I love how you explained how we are each a different character of this story at different times. Being the advice gover or taker, the selfish or the selfless. It's true that sometimes we must put the needs of others before ours, but we should also remember that this favor will be returned to us eventually, even if it isn't in this life.
Nikki I totally agree with about seeing this gospel reading in a new light and how it explains different times of are lives and how we real do play a role in each character in the story and I also thought the miracle was the bread coming out of no were but now I see the real miracle is everyone sharing with each other because that’s something that is actually harder to believe I think then Jesus making bread come out of thin-air.
James I’m with you in the truthfulness of her writings and in the point of attacking the reader yes you are right that it does but I understand in the way she is getting her point across because if you try to sugar coat things people loose the point so its better to just be blunt about it so there is no chance of being misunderstood but I have to say the comparison to a dodge-ball game in middle school is a really good one and agree with it all the way and I ask the same question that you did if Jesus can do it why cant we?
Ana I agree with you all the way about us being to loud to hear the word of God that is around us if we really stop to listen to it and I also agree that at times we do miss the meaning of what scripture is trying to tell us because it happens with me but I say that with time, practice, dedication, and the experiences we get threw are lives we will learn how to really understand fully what scripture is trying to tell us.
Yea Ana, when she started talking about John the Baptist's death, I realized that I had totally not taken the card into effect. I would totally understand why Jesus would want to be alone and left to grieve, but he is Jesus, come one, He wouldn't leave that huge crowd wandering around aimlessly.
I agree with you Kat- Jesus just rocks like that. He makes us see the true way to be a child of God, by serving others in their time of need, even if you are in need too. I also am like you in the sense that I saw the magic appearing of the food before, but now I understand the miracle of trust and understanding. As for the tradition of the Eucharist, I think the church will need a lot more time before they even consider changing the Mass in such a way, even though I agree that it would make the Eucharist even more real.
James, I think you are right about Jesus not letting his cousin die in vain, but as humans this would be much more difficult for us to let go. I think our instinct will kick in (the one that tells us that we should care for ourselves first) and we get all the time we need to grieve. But I still think we should try it, like Jesus did.
Chapter 1
I like how in the very beginning of this chapter McKenna requests that readers ask the Holy Spirit to help them understand and open their ears.
Well, this chapter focuses on miracle where Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and fish and gives it to thousands of people. When I would read the actual scripture as it was written before, I didn't even notice the part "not counting women and children". Now that I think of it, I wonder why whoever wrote this passage in the bible would have to single out the women and children.
McKenna also points out that Jesus is human, which I tend to overlook a lot of the time. Jesus was man and he had needs too. I like how she in a way presented things in Jesus' point of view. Take John the Baptist's execution for example, did people care that Jesus was greiving and filled with sorrow? Jesus is human and he is going to hurt, but a lot of the people were busy caring about only themselves to realize. Thinking about this makes me feel bad because Jesus had to constantly cater to the needs of the people first and worried about himself last.
Another imporant point that I found inspiring was McKenna's views on discipleship. She says everything straightforward without any small talk and gets straight to the point,which is what everyone needs to do to get their point across. I can learn a lot about discipleship, and follow her advice simply because I think that we all need to take that risk and let go. These words are very inspiring to hear but words are easier said than done.
Already this chapter has so many good points that everyone can learn from. I realize that Jesus did so many things for us and is the perfect example that we should all be inspired by. He did so much for us and my eyes have been opened because I am guilty of forgetting that Jesus too was human and had to do everything for himself as every other human would. It is amazing to know that this one man has changed the world.
"People always begin to realize the practical dimensions of getting what we need, rather than what we choose or want." Well said. Sooner or later if we allow it, I think we will be able to realize what is good for us rather than what makes us happy. The reward is in the end, and we just need to realize. It doesn't matter how long it takes us to realize this, as long as we realize it.
Gaby, I'm really glad this book actually coaught your attention because it really sucks when you have to read a book you don't like. And I agree with you that the world has to learn what dedication really means, but it can't be changed all at once, we have to start out small.
I totally agree with kat. It should change, but like Erika said," It'll be awhile." I'm so excited about all of this. I love all of your points of views. It helps round the jagged edges. I love what Jill wrote. Totally true. This book has me on hook, line, and sinker. Blogging rocks by the way. It's like a new insight on all the people I already knew. :0]
ANA I have to agree with your view on the definition of pity. I was really confused when McKenna used that term to show how Jesus feels toward his people but as I kept reading on I understood and was like, "Wow I've never thought of that word to be used in that way."
Erica I really liked your point on how women and children were always put aside. Reading on in the chapter, I also started to realize that maybe the women and children weren't put aside to be mean or anything like that, but put aside as an example to show everyone else that there are people who obey God's word and do their best to follow Him.
James I really liked your reflection, and like McKenna's writings, you wrote it very well. I understand where you are coming from and these exclusions back then of the women and children take place today as well, maybe just not for women and children though, but for people who are different. I also very much agree that Jesus is the perfect example that we should follow, and he was on this earth to show us that it is not impossible to do what is right because Jesus did it.
sorry I'm late in posting guys. rough week. ANYWAYS i loved the intro/chapter. i especially liked the twist she put on the story of the feeding of the 5000. i always pictured it as the disciples just passing out bread and fish to everyone and they just waited for it to get to them and there never ran out. very "miracle-y" in my vision of the story. But she just completely flipped my entire view of how the stories of the Bible work. The people in the Bible, that includes Jesus, functioned so much like they do today. they aren't fictitious people that do things in very foreign ways. The women and children part for example. Ive read that story several times and never once even considered that sentence fragment to be so important. i gave it no meaning at all and continued reading. I think the chapter is also going to help me read the Bible in a new light, like being able to read deeper into the story and not see the story for just the surface. one way that really helps this is midrash. reading the commentary/footnote things on the bottom of the Bible pages can help you get a feel for whats happening around the time of the story so you can understand the story better. Through midrash of different generations, we learn from many interpretations and then we can form our own and pass it down. We as a community function with and through everyone else and we learn from everyone around us.
Nikki: I completely agree with your view on her writing style. She writes so clearly, its almost conversational. like i can hear her someone explaining this to me verbally y with the same words. It makes it easier to read and understand, especially when she is trying to explain a familiar story in a completely different way from what we are used to.
James: I dont agree that she is attacking the reader, one because her tone is rarely forceful. If anything she is reinforcing the need for us to be community and selfless by using the explanation of the story in a way we haven't seen it before. As for everything else i agree with you. The story shows that Jesus was in fact human, but also that he had amazing will power to act so selflessly in the situation given. He's the man.
Jill: Agreed. The intro was a great setup and made me want to read more. and i also agree with the fact that the book seems to be easy to read and understand. i have a feeling the book is going to be influential to our ministry, just by reading the intro and first chapter.
Introduction:
I like how Ms. McKenna writes converstaionally. I agree with her statement saying that "The word of God never disappear." However, I do think that words can disappear with time, especially if they aren't repeated or remembered. But if they're written on paper and in our hearts and souls it has value. Words can go a long way.
Words are ways of expressing a person's self and emotions. I find it easier to type or write words to another person than say it to their face. And I think a lot of people are like that. They really don't like to have that confrontational conversation becuase of the fear of rejection.
I agree with what Ms. McKenna is saying that the bible is full of commentaries and commentaries on comments. Her introduction has really gotten my attention to read and listen to her views, comments, and interpretations.
I think sometimes we should just sit and learn to listen to others opinions even if we disagree.
Responding to Ana: I do truly believe that our voice is the voice of God because he created us in his image and likeness. And whatever we day or do is a reflection of God, which why I sometimes get angry at others for treating people in an unloving manner.
Chapter 1: Not Counting Women and Children
When I first heard the title, I became angry because why wouldn't they count women and children? Women make up more than half the world. It's women who give birth to children and men. But then when I started thinking about it. I remembered that throughout history, and even still today, it is a patriarchal society. We have men who are priests. Men are considered the head of the household. Women give up their maiden name for their husband's last name, of course if she chooses, but not in the old days.
When I first read the quoted passage, I responded like how I normally respond. "This is a great story. Look at how Jesus turned those few loaves of bread into a multiple amount to feed the masses. What a miracle!"
Then, as I read along, McKenna explained the production of more loaves of bread and fish with an excess amount of twelve baskets full logically. It made sense that these crowds of people would take food with them. But that made me think. If I thought it was a miracle just like how Jesus turned the water into wine, what would other people think? Would they get angry at McKenna for explaining the passage logically? And perhaps blame her of undermining God's powers? Despite these questions, I applaud McKenna for helping me understand the details of this short, but powerful story.
What hit me the hardest though is what McKenna said about putting ourselves aside and going out performing the activities that Jesus did and what God only asks of us - that we should feed everyone else before we feed us. And before she even mentioned the priests and clergy members, I thought about how the priest feeds himself with the body of Christ and then the clergy. At that point it also made me realize about somehitn my dad said while we were conversing about religion - why do we call the priests "Father so-so". They are not our fathers, God it OUR FATHER. Isn't that like idoling flase idols or something?
McKenna gives us a better understanding of this passage and reminds us to do what God asks of us. We should always share and feed those who are less unfortunate than us. But I think it will take a huge amount of people to stand up to the government like she said, and I think it might not be done, at least at this time and age.
James: I agree with James about saying how we exclude the fat or skinny kids or unpopular from our lives. and how many times have I heard this senior year some kids say that I've never seen those kids before my entire life here at Pace. It's because we choose to do that.
Jill and Alex: I agree with both of you on how the introduction made you want to read the book, but I must I was a little afirad because I know that somethings McKenna will state will reflect on my actions and words.
Mr. Novela: We should try out that orange feeding activity.
this is my first post.
Thank you all so much for your reflections, i enjoyed reading them all. I hope you also enjoyed reading each other's insight and most importantly, the book itself. I look forward to your future posts.
The introduction was ok.it made me think alot about how a moment in life can be such a big thing. and i thought it was amazing the thought of everyone in the world stopping with there busy lives just to listen to the voice of god. chapter 1 i liked from the real number of the crowd that followed him to what his disciples could and could not do. i liked the fact that the author brakes down the scripture.and i understand it more and never saw all the hidden messages. and reading the book show me that all the people behind the scenes made a difference whether they were aknowledged in the bible or not.
I beleive that the beginning of chapter 1 started off very well because it showed how god is in all of us and i'm a firm beleiver of that. i beleive that the middle of the first paragraph became even more exhilarating it was as if the author was speaking with tongues of fire, i became even more arroused with every word, it erected a feeling of self empowerment and faith in God wich empregnated my mind with such love for the purity of God. I beleive that the ending of paragraph 1 was a climax of a great mind expresing the gospels in a way i have never experienced before in my life.
Post a Comment