At Youth Bible Study in Nanuku last Wednesday, we did the Beatitudes. Matthew 5. 1-12. That's because it was yesterday's lectionary (Sunday 29th Jan) and we're very keen to keep one step ahead of the preacher.
Here's the Good News Bible version.
Jesus saw the crowds and went up a hill, where he sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them: “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! “Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! “Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised! Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully! “Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! “Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God! “Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children! “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.
Got it? Now here's the New Revised Standard Version.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
No prizes for spotting the most obvious translation difference. Which led me to ask Nanuku Youth...
Is there a difference between being ‘happy’ and being ‘blessed’?
You bet! They came up with loads of examples which can be inadequately summarised as, 'Anyone can feel happy about stuff but when you're blessed it's because God's done it to you'.
How do you say those words in Hindi and Fijian?
In Fijian-Hindi 'happy' is 'kushi' and blessed is 'ashish'. In Itaukei-Fijian, 'happy' is 'marau' and 'blessed' is 'kalougata'. Numerous example sentences offered. Nanuku youth know what they're talking about in a variety of languages.
In your daily life, what makes you ‘happy’? Explain to the group.
If Fiji are gonna win the WellySevens (Let's draw a veil...)
In your daily life, what makes you ‘blessed’? Explain to the group.
(No repetition of previous answer allowed).
Coming to our Church.
Good answer and no bribes! They're not saints - which of us is? - but they're impressively articulate about TBL. They didn't write the definitions below but they were pretty much on the same track.
Orientation week for new arrivals at the main College. Nisha and I really enjoyed today meeting brothers in ministry from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea, Congregational Christian Church of Samoa and the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands. Here we are, shamelessly 'selling' the Extension courses to them so they can transmit the good news to folk back home.
As it happens, we needn't have said much ourselves, because an enthusiastic ambassador for PTCEE was in our midst - little did we know - and gave a fantastic testimony. As a layman, he completed Certificate and Diploma courses up until 2006, recognising with appreciation the efforts and encouragement of PTCEE Director Deidre Madden at that time, then the call to full-time ministry came. He did his BA residentially at Bishop Patteson Theological College Kohimarama, just outside Honiara, and has been serving as an Anglican Priest in the Solomon Islands since. Now there's the opportunity to pursue a Masters here on campus at PTC.
Fr Harry Gereniu kindly posed with Nisha by our map of the Solomons and spoke with great warmth. 'After all these years it's wonderful to be in the place where all these courses actually come from. I feel proud to have done my early theological education through PTCEE and thoroughly recommend it'.
Thanks Fr Harry. You made our day and we thank God for your powerful testimony. Good that we'll be neighbours for the next couple of years and can draw on your solid experience of the agonies and ecstasies of Distance Ed!
Introduction to the Study of John, James and Revelation is the latest BD course on the shelf ready to go. We thank Biblical scholar Dr Michael Sandford for his work. I fiddled with the edit and Nisha made it neat and tidy. Always a good feeling to sign off another one. Let's keep 'em rolling.
We also updated our College Handbook section. I wondered if this was a bit boring for the blog, but you can always skip it. It is, however, the bright, shiny, up to date summary of what's offered and how it's delivered from the office-at-the-corner-by-the-sea to - we hope - an ever wider, ecumenical spread of God's people across Oceania. Can you whisper the good news too? We can't leave it all to Fr Harry...
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