BU returns on Tue. Jan. 5! Sheil Lower Level (7pm)

Join us on January 5 as we begin reading the Book of Genesis!

Next Meeting: Nov. 24 in Sheil Lower Level (7pm) - no need to have attended previous meetings!

We will begin with Ruth chapter 4, verse 1.

As promised, here is Lord Byron's rousing account of the Assyrian King Sennacharib's attack on Jerusalem. It is a poetic rendition of the events described in the Book fo Isaiah, chapters 36 and 37.

Next Meeting: Nov. 17 in Sheil Lower Level (7pm) - no need to have attended previous meetings!

We'll begin with Ruth chapter 3, verse 1.

Next Meeting: Nov. 10 in Sheil Lower Level (7pm) - no need to have attended previous meetings!

This week we'll begin with Ruth chapter 2 verse 8.

Something to think about: what is the role of "chance" in the Book of Ruth (consider Ruth 2:3)? How much seems to be directly influenced by God's actions, and where is God to be found in each of the relationships among the characters? Ruth is not a book in which God's presence and actions are often overtly discussed (as, for example, in Genesis).

Some passages to consider in which this concept of "chance" arises (at least, the same word in Hebrew is used) are: Ecclesiastes 2:15 and 1 Samuel 6:9.

Next Meeting: Nov. 3 in Sheil Lower Level (7pm) - no need to have attended previous meetings!

Would you buy a used Bible from this man?


After a football game of biblical proportions, come join us for the real thing! Next time we'll begin with Ruth 1:15.

Next Meeting: Oct. 27 in Sheil Lower Level (7pm)

Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah, William Blake

This week we begin reading the Book of Ruth.

We kick off with Ruth 1:1. If you can, try to read through the first chapter of Ruth in advance. If you don't get to it, no worries. We will always read the passages together before discussing them.

What kind of Bible should I have?

Everyone should have at least 1 Bible on their shelves! Why not 2 or 3? The more translations of the Bible you own, the more insights you are likely to gain by comparing the different ways in which the same passages are rendered. If you can read more than 1 language, it is especially useful to compare translations in multiple languages.

While there are literally dozens of English translations of the Bible (and most of them are quite good), you cannot go wrong with either of these:

Catholic Study Bible - this is the best scholarly edition of the New American Bible (NAB) translation that all Catholic churches in the U.S. read from in their liturgies.

New Jerusalem Bible - a superb translation reflecting top biblical scholarship; includes excellent notes.

Welcome - a Bible Group for Sheil Undergrads

Are you looking for an opportunity to read the Bible with new vision and spiritual depth?

Are you sometimes turned off or confused by the way that God is depicted in the Bible?

Do you wish you had a deeper understanding of the people, cultures, and languages of the ancient biblical world?

Would you like to learn to pray with scripture in your personal spiritual journey, rather than only hearing it read at Mass?


Then Sheil's new Bible Underground is for you!

Join your fellow Sheil undergrads as Fr. John leads us every week in a gathering devoted to the careful, prayerful reading of complete texts from both the Old and New Testaments. We'll fold in a good deal of Catholic theology and spirituality, as well as relevant background material on the cultures of the ancient Near East.

WHEN: Every Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm
WHERE: The Sheil Catholic Center - 2110 Sheridan Rd
(look for us on the lower level, meeting room 2)
WHAT TO BRING: a Bible (and a friend!)

All NU undergrads are welcome!!