Reading the bible

I speak about reading the bible in more general terms at this stage and hope soon I will start to focus on particular passages. The urge to look for such texts is furthered by comments such as how boring the bible(the bible as a positive book) can be. But first, just a bit of a background of what reading means to me.

I presided over a service today and though I was to give direction I found it hard to choose which side I was having listened to the gospel reading. It was hard to choose to be either Martha or Mary as many of us have grown up to choose (Luke 10: 38-42). To say the truth, I like the roles all of them play- busy running around and just sitting to listen- who would not. It is quite tempting for me to choose to be both but again I thought that is not being a 'good Christian'! I have to make my choice sometime though.

My choice will be influenced greatly by my final destination which I call home. For many there may not be a difference between home and house but from this location it is vital. When I go back home- I go back to my connectedness, my land, my people and all that it entails. Home is there to stay, it exists whether I exist or not, it is about belonging and identity. House on the other hand is temporary- a place where I stay meanwhile, I may not care so much what happens here as long as I’m in control and I can get what I want as I await going back home. At home, everyone who identifies with this land come and find a meeting point. Not that we are the same, but this place unites us in our diversity. Home is our space where we meet the sacred; so sacred while so secular that no one dare interferes with it. None would though coz for them to enter this space; we always find something to connect us.

I will have to admit however that often house takes over home and I ask why. I have lately been looking at some of the possibilities towards answering these questions. For illustration purposes, I have lived to participate in those Churches with ‘special seats’. The seats can stay empty for the whole year especially if the program of 'the office' could not allow. Yah, the bishop’s seat or any related name depending on your religious location. Maybe I'm beginning too far what about our own homes? Ever seen/heard of that special seat in the house where the ‘owner of the house’ sits? Now, I’m not saying the seats are bad but some questions need to be answered. Who determines who sit on that seat and for what purpose? When the other occupants start to hide and curse every minute the 'owner' is around, then there is a need to go back and examine the seat- the supposed facilitator of the house. When the seat directly or indirectly dictates whether I choose to be home or in a house then it bothers.

When I will be able to not leave home for a house or long to go back home, then I will have made my choice in Luke 10: 38-42. But I can not read alone, knowing how others read contributes to my going home.

Connecting to the connected

I connect to the connected as a young woman, multi cultured and from different locations defined by history, background and relationships among others. Bearing in mind all the above my reading is basically influenced by the small voice that remembers the words of Archbishop Tutu that often in our readings we give answers to questions no one may be asking. Is it possible to give relevant answers? To grow in faith for me is to allow the bible to dialogue with our locations. But when the bible starts to reinforce 'always the victim' attitude, then I get suspicious- something must be wrong somewhere and thats marks the beginning of my connection.

We can either be 'the minstered to', 'the minister' or both depending on who sat/is sitting at the mercy seat! How lovely would it be if we became both! I read the bible to be both.