Because many Catholics are not familiar with the Old Testament, presentations at the annual Little Rock Scripture Study Bible Institute covered a lot of new ground for many of those in the audience.
On June 15-17, about 110 people from all over Arkansas and the United States gathered on the campus of St. John Center in Little Rock to listen to Father Lawrence Boadt, CSP, explain the “Master Plan of the Bible.” Father Boadt, president of Paulist Press and author of “Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction,” condensed a semester of college work into two days by concentrating on the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books make up the Pentateuch of the Jews. The five books collectively deal with righteousness, meaning a right relationship with God, and justice, meaning a right relationship with our neighbor.
The presentations throughout the weekend dealt with the development of an oral tradition, which was written down by those inspired by the Holy Spirit. Father Boadt stressed that the Catholic Christian tradition is a direct descendant of the Jewish tradition. The Old Testament is the basis for the New Testament, and Christians must understand where they come from in order to understand where they are going and how to get there.
Michael Boze, a member of Christ the King Parish in Fort Smith, was a first-time participant at the bible institute. Boze, a student in the Little Rock Theology Institute, said, “At the moment, I am attending for my own enlightenment, but I feel that God is steering my boat and I’m not sure of what he sees as my destination.”
Jeff Faubert of Gross Point Woods, Mich., said his parish has nine LRSS groups.
“I come simply for my own benefit,” he said. “I have participated in Little Rock Scripture Study in my parish and appreciate the opportunity to come and deepen my knowledge.”
Peggy Flesher of Little Rock, Irene McGee of Lake Charles, La., and Mildred Zinser of Conway have been attending Bible Institute since its inception in 1990. Flesher, McGee and Zinser, three former residents of Morrilton, played a part in the formation of what has become known as LRSS. They were part of a group in the mid-1970s that requested a Catholic Scripture study program for the diocese. The three women were sent the suggested questions for the first LRSS lesson on the Acts of the Apostles. They would drive to Little Rock for discussions and editing of the questions before publication.
“Bishop (Andrew J.) McDonald decreed that every parish in the Little Rock diocese should sponsor a Little Rock Scripture Study group (in 1977),” McGee said. “We started it in our own parish of Sacred Heart in Morrilton. A few years after we started, I moved to Lake Charles, La. I have been facilitating or coordinating Little Rock (Scripture Study) at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish for 13 or 14 years.”
Bible Institute has become an annual pilgrimage for the three women brought together by their faith and shared interest in learning more about God’s Word.
“For me, anyway” McGee said, “coming here answers some things, but it always stirs up more questions. I go away and I have to study and reflect.”
Father Boadt said he is hopeful more Catholics will become involved in reading the Bible and attending Scripture study programs.
“We’ve all got our fingers crossed that the rest of the Catholic world will buy into this (Scripture study) with us,” he said.
“I wish every Catholic in Arkansas would read the Bible every day and join a Bible study group. The strength of their faith would be helped immensely.”
