"Exploring & Experiencing the Beatitudes"
Thursdays, 12PM (Mountain Time)
Summer, 2022
You are welcome to join us in person, or via zoom. ( Link to Join Zoom Meeting; Meeting ID: 882 9090 9040; Passcode: 690793)
For the first half of 2022, the Thursday Bible Study group at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, NM, met weekly at 12PM, both in person and online, to study the Gospel of Luke in the First Nation Version. Beginning Thursday, June 16, 2022 we will turn our attention to an experiential exploration of the Beatitudes that will continue throughout the summer and into the Fall on Thursdays at 12PM (Mountain Time.)
In our first session, St. Mark's members Marcel & Stephanie Varoz will invite us to enter into their personal process of praying with scripture, a creative process based on deep trust and listening that invites us to pray with our heart, imagination, and senses, not only with our words or our rational minds.
Throughout the summer we will return to this creative process, making space for the Spirit to speak to and through us, as we take time to linger in contemplation of the holy and mysterious words of Jesus that we have come to know as "The Beatitudes."
If you hope to join us (in person or online) please sign up here, so that we can keep in touch and share resources. (We know that summer schedules vary! We totally understand if you have to miss a session. We also understand that kids are out of school...they are most welcome to participate with you!)
Questions? Contact Mother Sylvia at [email protected].
In our first session, St. Mark's members Marcel & Stephanie Varoz will invite us to enter into their personal process of praying with scripture, a creative process based on deep trust and listening that invites us to pray with our heart, imagination, and senses, not only with our words or our rational minds.
Throughout the summer we will return to this creative process, making space for the Spirit to speak to and through us, as we take time to linger in contemplation of the holy and mysterious words of Jesus that we have come to know as "The Beatitudes."
If you hope to join us (in person or online) please sign up here, so that we can keep in touch and share resources. (We know that summer schedules vary! We totally understand if you have to miss a session. We also understand that kids are out of school...they are most welcome to participate with you!)
Questions? Contact Mother Sylvia at [email protected].
Session Schedule (Subject to Change)
You are invited to imagine the coming months as an extended spiritual retreat on the Beatitudes, with weekly gatherings providing an opportunity to anchor yourself in community, to share your discoveries, and to learn with and from your fellow "retreatants". We invite you to considering using the Beatitudes as your "spiritual anchor" throughout the coming months. Let the beatitudes become a mantra to accompany you as you walk, as you work, as you create, and as you pray each day. Be patient. Allow God's Word to you to unfold slowly, as the words of Jesus seep deep into your body and soul.
We will devote 2 weeks to each "leg" of our journey through the beatitudes and spend 2 group sessions exploring each Beatitude. Each session runs ~75 minutes (12:00-1:15PM Mountain Time) Here’s what you might expect in each session…
Session 1 (Focus: Experience, Contemplation, and Creative Response)
- Brief Group Check in
- Learn & Chant Aramaic together
- Individual Contemplation & Creative Response Time
- Brief Group Sharing
- Closing Song/Prayer
Session 2 (Focus: Discussion)
- Group Check in
- Watch “Beat” Invitation Video w/Mark Scandrette @ https://ninefoldpath.org/
- Group Discussion
- Closing Song/Prayer
During the first week of each "leg" of our journey (the week following Session 1) you are invited to focus your reflection on EXPERIENCE...simply making space to dwell with the words of Jesus in an open ended contemplative and creative practice...chanting, walking, sitting, praying, drawing, painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, writing, weaving, etc. Resist the urge to satisfy the demands of your analytical mind by jumping ahead to the readings. Give your heart and body a chance to listen and learn first.
During the second week of each "leg" of our journey (the week following Session 2) you are invited to supplement your EXPERIENCE with some EXPLORATION of optional readings related to each Beatitude (optional readings will be posted, below.)
- June 16 INTRODUCTION & INVITATION (Session 1)
- June 23 INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW (Session 2)
- June 30 BEATITUDE 1 (Session 1); Blessed are the poor in spirit...
- July 7 BEATITUDE 1 (Session 2); Blessed are the poor in spirit...
- July 14 BEATITUDE 2 (Session 1); Blessed are they that mourn...
- July 21 BEATITUDE 2(Session 2); Blessed are they that mourn...
- July 28 BEATITUDE 3 (Session 1); Blessed are the meek...
- August 4 BEATITUDE 3 (Session 2); Blessed are the meek...
- August 11 BEATITUDE 4 (Session 1); Blessed are they which do hunger...
- August 18 BEATITUDE 4 (Session 2); Blessed are they which do hunger...
- August 25 BEATITUDE 5 (Session 1); Blessed are the merciful...
- Sept 1 BEATITUDE 5 (Session 2); Blessed are the merciful...
- Sept 8 BEATITUDE 6 (Session 1); Blessed are the pure in heart...
- Sept 15 BEATITUDE 6 (Session 2); Blessed are the pure in heart...
- Sept 22 BEATITUDE 7 (Session 1); Blessed are the peacemakers...
- Sept 29 BEATITUDE 7 (Session 2); Blessed are the peacemakers...
- Oct 6 BEATITUDE 8 (Session 1); Blessed are they which are persecuted...
- Oct 13 BEATITUDE 8 (Session 2); Blessed are they which are persecuted ...
- Oct 20 BEATITUDE 9 (Session 1); Blessed are ye when men shall revile you...Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad....
- Oct 27 BEATITUDE 9 (Session 2); Blessed are ye when men shall revile you...Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad....
- Nov 3 CONCLUSION/WRAP UP
Gallery of Contemplation and Exploration
Feel free to explore the images and resources below to aid your exploration and contemplation!
If you have an image to contribute to the gallery, please email it to Mother Sylvia, [email protected].
If you have an image to contribute to the gallery, please email it to Mother Sylvia, [email protected].
Background & Introduction
In John's Gospel, Jesus promises his disciples that "the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach
you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:26).
We bring our trust in this promise of Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
In The Fifth Contemplation, "Application of the Senses", St. Ignatius (121) suggests using our imagination to experience "the total felt environment of the particular mystery of Christ's life, in whatever ways it can be most vividly mine."
We bring an openness to "the total felt environment" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
In the short sermon clip, below, Deacon David introduces Fr. Broderick Greer and the concept of "sanctified imagination".
We bring our desire to cultivate "sanctified imaginations" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." (John 14:26).
We bring our trust in this promise of Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit, to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
In The Fifth Contemplation, "Application of the Senses", St. Ignatius (121) suggests using our imagination to experience "the total felt environment of the particular mystery of Christ's life, in whatever ways it can be most vividly mine."
We bring an openness to "the total felt environment" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
In the short sermon clip, below, Deacon David introduces Fr. Broderick Greer and the concept of "sanctified imagination".
We bring our desire to cultivate "sanctified imaginations" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
In the video, below, spiritual director and sacred dancer Betsey Beckman interprets a well known prayer by Thomas Merton with her voice and body.
We bring our hopeful "unknowing" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
A Prayer of Unknowing By Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
– Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, page 79.
We bring our hopeful "unknowing" to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
A Prayer of Unknowing By Thomas Merton
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that, if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
– Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude, page 79.
In his invitation to enter into this sacred process, below, Marcel Varoz, invites us into a process of deep listening to scripture, to one another, and above all to the Spirit of God. At times this kind of listening might feel different, new, and uncomfortable.
We bring our longing for deeper connection with God and one another, along with the courage to risk both growth and discomfort for the sake of love, to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
We bring our longing for deeper connection with God and one another, along with the courage to risk both growth and discomfort for the sake of love, to our exploration of the Beatitudes.
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Readings & Handouts
Read the biblical text: Click here to read, print, or compare the text of The Beatitudes (Mathew 5:3-12) in several different translations
Weekly Session Handouts
Handout 1 (The Beatitudes: Possible translations from the Greek and Aramaic)
Handout 2 (The Beatitudes: Aramaic)
Handout 3 (Movements & Music for Dances of Universal Peace to the Aramaic Beatitudes.)
Handout 4 (Excerpts from "Prayers of the Cosmos, Reflections on the Original Meaning of Jesus's Words" by Douglas-Klotz)
Handout 5 (Excerpts on Beatitudes in Luke from "Blessings of the Cosmos: Benedictions from the Aramaic Words of Jesus" by Douglas-Klotz)
Handout 6 (Prayer Cycles for Praying the Beatitudes with Anglican Prayer Beads)
Handout 7 (Excerpts from "The Wisdom Jesus" by Cynthia Bourgeault)
Handout 8 (Comparing the Beatitudes with other Biblical Texts)
Weekly Session Handouts
Handout 1 (The Beatitudes: Possible translations from the Greek and Aramaic)
Handout 2 (The Beatitudes: Aramaic)
Handout 3 (Movements & Music for Dances of Universal Peace to the Aramaic Beatitudes.)
Handout 4 (Excerpts from "Prayers of the Cosmos, Reflections on the Original Meaning of Jesus's Words" by Douglas-Klotz)
Handout 5 (Excerpts on Beatitudes in Luke from "Blessings of the Cosmos: Benedictions from the Aramaic Words of Jesus" by Douglas-Klotz)
Handout 6 (Prayer Cycles for Praying the Beatitudes with Anglican Prayer Beads)
Handout 7 (Excerpts from "The Wisdom Jesus" by Cynthia Bourgeault)
Handout 8 (Comparing the Beatitudes with other Biblical Texts)
Supplemental Resources (Optional)
More resources that might supplement your personal experience and exploration of the Beatitudes include:
Websites:
Art & Theology Blog: https://artandtheology.org/tag/beatitudes/
The visual commentary on Scripture: thevcs.org/blessed
Ninefold Path: ninefoldpath.org/
Nine Beats Collective: https://9beats.org/movement/
Books:
"Blessings of the Cosmos" by Neil Douglas-Klotz
"Prayers of the Cosmos" by Neil Douglas-Klotz
"The Eight Doors of the Kingdom" by Jacques Philippe
"The Ladder of the Beatitudes" by Jim Forest
The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes by Mark Scandrette
Podcasts:
The Beatitudes Project (on Spotify & Apple Music): https://www.thebeatitudesproject.com/
Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast Episode 57: Back to Reality with Mark Scandrette (start at ~30 minutes)
Websites:
Art & Theology Blog: https://artandtheology.org/tag/beatitudes/
The visual commentary on Scripture: thevcs.org/blessed
Ninefold Path: ninefoldpath.org/
Nine Beats Collective: https://9beats.org/movement/
Books:
"Blessings of the Cosmos" by Neil Douglas-Klotz
"Prayers of the Cosmos" by Neil Douglas-Klotz
"The Eight Doors of the Kingdom" by Jacques Philippe
"The Ladder of the Beatitudes" by Jim Forest
The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes by Mark Scandrette
Podcasts:
The Beatitudes Project (on Spotify & Apple Music): https://www.thebeatitudesproject.com/
Mid-Faith Crisis Podcast Episode 57: Back to Reality with Mark Scandrette (start at ~30 minutes)
Move
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Listen
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Chant
Find the sheet music for each chant in Handout 3 (Movements & Music for Dances of Universal Peace to the Aramaic Beatitudes)
If you are interested in learning more, please purchase the CD set, "Healing Breath: Body Based Meditations on the Aramaic Beatitudes" by Neil Douglas Klotz.
The recordings below are provided to help facilitate your practice between sessions. If you find these chant resources helpful, you can find these resources and more, and make a donation to their creators using the links provided at https://abwoon.org/online-store/ or directly via PayPal.
If you are interested in learning more, please purchase the CD set, "Healing Breath: Body Based Meditations on the Aramaic Beatitudes" by Neil Douglas Klotz.
The recordings below are provided to help facilitate your practice between sessions. If you find these chant resources helpful, you can find these resources and more, and make a donation to their creators using the links provided at https://abwoon.org/online-store/ or directly via PayPal.
Opening/Grounding Chant
Allaha Ruhau
God is breath
Allaha Ruhau
God is breath
Tubwayhun l'meskanaee b'rukh d'dilhounie malkutha d'ashmaya
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Tubwayhun lawile d'hinnon netbayun
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Tubwayhun l'makikhe d'hinnon nertun arha.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Tubwayhun layleyn d'kaphneen watzheyn l'khenuta d'hinnon nisbhun.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Tubwayhun lamrahmane dalayhun nehwun rahme.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Tubwayhun layleyn dadkeyn b'lebhon d'hinnon nehzun l'alaha.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Tubwayhun lahwvday shlama dawnaw(hie) d'alaha nitqarun.
Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be called the children of God.
Tubwayhun layleyn detrdep metol khenuta dilhon(hie) malkutha dashmaya
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Tubwayhun immath damhasdeen l'khon waradpin l'khon wamrin eleykon kul milla bisha metolath b'dagalutha.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Haydeyn khadaw wa rwazw dagarkhun sgee bashmaya hakana geyr r'dapw l'nabiya d'men qdamaykun
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Pray
Experiment with using Anglican Prayer Beads as a tool for praying the Beatitudes. You are welcome to use the videos, below, as a guide. Additional videos will become available for each Beatitude as we move through our course together. You can learn more about praying with Anglican Prayer Beads here.
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