This week's Gospel lesson is the story of the restoration of sight to the blind beggar Bartimaeus. In scripture there are many stories of blindness. Sometimes the blindness is punishment by God for sin; other times the blindness is congenital and still other times it is the result of old age. In John's gospel the disciples ask Jesus if a man is blind because of his own or his parents' sin. Jesus replies that he is blind so that God's work might be revealed in his healing.




All healings in the Bible are attributed to the power of God, but a variety of means are used. Test your Bible knowledge by picking the means of curing blindness from the following choices:

A) Touch
B) Spit
C) Spit and Dirt
D) Fish guts
E) Laser surgery
F) Faith


for hints check out biblegateway.com and one of my favorite children's books: The Tale of Tobias

The Bible has many stories including pairs of brothers, starting with Cain and Abel. Many of these pairs, like the first, were contentious and were involved in fights over who was most loved. Think of Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Another pair, Moab and Benammi were born in shame and their descendants were perpetual enemies of Israel.


In the Gospels two pairs of brother are among the disciples: the fishermen Peter and Andrew and the pair you hear of in this week's reading. Who are the two brothers - whose nicknames indicate they were not quiet, retiring types - we meet in Mark chapter 10?

A) Simon and Andrew

B) Simon and Garfunkel

C) Castor and Pollux

D) James and John

How much?

What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
Psalm 116:12

This week there is no multiple choice quiz or fill in the blank sentence with the right answer supplied by the deacon. Instead, read what others have answered and ponder what your response is to Christ.





The widow gave a penny; the Pharisees gave a tenth; Zacchaeus gave half; the rich man was asked to give all. The early church shared everrything in common; Barnabas sold a field; Jesus' disciples left their boats and nets. Jesus gave up equality with God.










What is Christ asking of me? What will I give?

This is an open hearted and open ended question.

The ACE of Hearts for October 7, 2006

This Sunday's Gospel focuses, in part, on marriage. In memory of some of my favorite tests in school, I offer an open book, multiple choice quiz on Christian marriage. It is acceptable and encouraged to ask for answers from parents, married couples, and even your own spouse.

Fr. Bob's blog or the BCP might also be of use. Good luck and the answers will be revealed on Sunday at 9:50 AM.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual:

a) admiration b) consideration c) joy d) destruction

for the a) tolerance and forebearance b) carping and goading c) help and comfort

d) space and room for growth given one another in prosperity and adversity;

and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in

a) academics b) artistic accomplishment c) athletic prowess d) knowledge and love of the Lord.