The third Thinking Scripture week took place at Boarbank from 30th August to 6th September 2008. The topic was the Gospel of St Matthew. Once again, the talks examined the Gospel from three points of view. Fr Richard Taylor presented the literary aspects of each of the five texts which were our focus, Dr Geoffrey Turner the historical and Sr Margaret Atkins the theological.

We focused especially on the discourses, including two sets of sessions on the Sermon on the Mount, covering chapters 5 and 6, and one each on the mission of the twelve in chapter 10 and the community discourse of chapter 18. We also examined the episode at Caesarea Philippi in chapter 16. Fr Taylor brought out in particular the way in which Jesus in Matthew uses aphorisms and everyday images to evoke a world of thought, and an ideal of community life. Dr Turner looked at Matthew’s references to the Old Testament to set the Gospel passages in their Jewish historical context. He also argued for the basic historical reliability of Matthew’s account. Sr Margaret emphasised in particular the relation between Jesus’ picture of God as a providential Father and its ethical implications: the removal of anxiety and the consequent freedom to give and forgive. There was plenty of opportunity for questions and discussions, and we also held two sessions with smaller groups.

The group met together each day for Morning Prayer and Mass, and joined the Boarbank community for Sunday Mass and daily Evening and Night prayer. There was chance during the afternoons to be quiet and relax or to socialise. Evening activities included a showing of Pasolini’s film The Gospel according to St Matthew, an evening with the local poet Neil Curry reading very movingly from his own work, and a selection from Bach’s St Matthew Passion, conducted by Nicholas Harnoncourt. The weather prevented over-ambitious walking, but some managed to visit Cartmel and Grange, to climb Hampsfell, and even to get soaked to the skin in Grasmere! On the final evening we enjoyed a social gathering with some of the sisters from the community.

The Guest House was full for the course, and we were joined by several local participants: about 28 of us in total. It was a pleasure this year to welcome participants of all ages, from students to a lady in her 80s (one of our most active members!), old friends and new, from a range of backgrounds, including a priest, three religious sisters and several teachers. Two young Korean ladies came, both currently in Edinburgh, who had found out about the course quite independently! The international dimension was enriched by a priest who had served many years in Peru and a Canadian graduate student. One of the delights was the way in which the participants mixed and made friends so easily with one another. Much of the serious thinking seemed to take place informally, during meals and free time. Finally, warm thanks should go to Ruth for her discreetly competent practical assistance, which made life very much easier this year for the organisers.

For more information, contact Sr Margaret@Boarbank.