The Blessing of Belonging: My Journey with MBI and Teaching Biblical Studies

Dr Rosalie Moloney, Research Associate at The Margaret Beaufort Institute writes:

It always intrigues me that, even for those no longer involved with education, the new academic year frequently seems to inspire a fresh start. This autumn, as we celebrate MBI's move to a new home in Madingley Road, it gives me great joy to be involved in two ventures related to the Institute.

As you will know from recent newsletters, the Leadership Circle of the Margaret Beaufort Association (MBA) has been discerning new ways of supporting the Institute and of fostering the links between past and present staff and students, friends, and supporters of MBI. As possibly the longest resident in Grange Road, being a member of the MBA Leadership Circle is part of my way of saying "thank you" for all the riches I have received and continue to receive from MBI.

In my PhD dissertation completed in 2019 I acknowledged my debt to MBI as follows: "For nearly eight years the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology has been my second home. It has been a rare privilege to be part of such a prophetic women-led community, who have studied and eaten together, laughed and prayed together. I am profoundly grateful for the many opportunities for friendship, learning and teaching, and for the practical and financial assistance I have received there." There followed the names of sixty-two (yes, sixty-two) members of the community: principals, staff, students, alumnae and alumni, directors, council members, residents and associates of that amazing place. MBI's move to Madingley Road and its expanded mission is just a continuation and further blossoming of its founding principles in 1993.

My second new venture is the opportunity to teach an MBI online course in November on the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 37-50). The fascination the figure of Joseph has exercised over the centuries is such that his story has been depicted in numerous media including literature, art, church music, oratorio, opera, ballet, and film. No wonder Hollywood and Broadway have been interested over the years; the story contains nearly everything: annoying adolescents, misguided parents, sibling rivalry, frustrated desire; imprisonment, famine, exile; political manoeuvrings, shady crimes, foreign customs. Underlying all these - and other - aspects is the quest to discover how God moves in mysterious ways and how humanity can be transformed under God's guidance. It makes one wonder why passages from these remarkable chapters are never read at Sunday Mass. It is more than time for the contents of the Lectionary, rather than its particular translation, to be reviewed and revised.

Meanwhile, I look forward to the insights and ideas that will be shared by old and new MBI friends during the four sessions. I know that, as always, I will learn more than I teach. While we discuss these intriguing and inspiring chapters we will bear in mind the concluding paragraph of the MBA prayer:

Guide us to follow Lady Margaret Beaufort's

example of fortitude, perseverance, and

love of your Word for prayer and study.

This we ask through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

If you would like to sign up for Dr Rosalie's online course: 'Beyond the Coat of Many Colours: Reading the Joseph Narrative (Genesis 37-50),' running from November 5 to 26, 5.30-7pm Please click place HERE!

You can Unlock your 15% ICN discount with the code: CATHOLIC2024

If you would like to know more about Margaret Beaufort Institute, please visit: www.margaretbeaufort.cam.ac.uk