Mark+1+Writing+Assignment


 * March 28/29/30 - Writing Assignment**

God's word is infinitely deep. We are always discovering new applications and insights as the Holy Spirit guides the Church. This assignment will give us a first-hand taste of Biblical research using three very different research sources.
 * Objective **

1) Reread Mark 1:1-13 with an eye for 3 specific points that you find interesting or may have a question on. They can be large over-arching questions or very detailed (such as the meaning of specific words or actions). 2) Reread Mark 1:1-13 again and make note of the specific verse for each of these three points. (Not all three points can be in the same one verse.) 3) Complete this form.
 * Preparation **


 * Assignment **

You are to research your three points or questions. I am giving you three sources to use. Please try to use all three. __You must use two.__ The assignment is to be completed in your Google Doc and the final product will be assessed on Thursday, although we will be reviewing drafts before then.

**Procedure** 1) Open a new Google Doc. Name the Google Doc //<< Last Name >>// Mark 1 Writing Assignment. 2) Drag the Google Doc into your New Testament folder right away. (So I can keep an eye on your progress...) 3) In your Google Doc, put your name at the very top of the page. 4) State your first Point or Question. 5) Research using the 3 sources I am giving you. You may use other professional sources, but you must tell me what they are and they must be professional from a recognized publisher (no private web-sites or Wikipedia). 6) Answer the question using complete sentences, careful pronoun use, and proper English grammar. Tip: if there is a red line under a word, give your spelling another try. 7) Your total assignment should be about 500 words. Nothing under 400 words will be graded. Check your word count under the tools option. 8) You do not need to use full academic citation for this first project - unless you use a different source than the three provided. 9) Do your own work. Don't even think about copying and pasting into your Doc! 10) Try to approach this with a spirit of inquiry - not as a task to be completed.

Your Bible The footnotes of your Bible can be very helpful. Use them. Sacra Pagina ("The Sacred Page") This is a Catholic resource that reviews the Gospel one verse at a time giving extensive commentary and often on the detail of word use and history. After it meticulously examins each verse, it offers an over-all interpretation of the whole section (Mark 1:1-13).
 * Research **

Matthew Henry's Commentary Matthew Henry was a famous Biblical scholar. He was not Catholic, and some of his works are not spot-on, but he offers a good and generally helpful set of explanations. His text will seem the most "Old Fashioned". It is organized in much larger groups of verses than Sacra Pagina and its focus is generally more of meaning and spiritual relevance on a large scale. It is almost devotional - and this is reflected in the sometimes archaic language.

The Golden Chain ("Catena Aurea") The Golden Chain is the work of St Thomas Aquinas (d.1274) in which he complies the thoughts of the Church Fathers on the verses of the Gospels. As with everything by Aquinas, it is well organized into small sections each on a verse or two. The Church Fathers are very important to us as Catholics because they show the opinions of the first Christians. They lived much closer to the time of Christ than we do and it is important that we maintain this continuity with their early teaching.