Hello Everyone,

Each Wednesday evening in March, at 6:45 pm., Connie Smith will facilitate a class based on Rocco Errico's book, Setting A Trap For God, The Aramaic Prayer of Jesus, and is one of our features this month. The book is devoted to Errico's interpretation and translation of The Lord's Prayer directly from the Aramaic language, which is the language Jesus spoke. However, Errico's choice of the title could use a little explanation.

The word for prayer in Aramaic is slotha. It comes for the root word sla, which means "to trap" or "to set a trap." Thus, prayer in its initial sense implies "setting your mind like a trap so that you may catch the thoughts of God." In other words, "to trap the inner guidance and impulses that come from your inner spiritual source." And, it suggests that we can trap all the love, joy, peace, truth, energy, and compassion we need when we are receptive to all which is rightly ours. It is an attitude of heart and mind that prepares us for whatever is necessary. This kind of prayer qualifies us to receive God's provision and, in turn, to express gratitude and thankfulness.

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring!    Blessings, Bill