God Addressed in Risky Ways:1 an Experience of Psalm 35 by Keith A. Joseph Kennific A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Regis College and the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Awarded by Regis College and the University of Toronto © Copyright by Keith A. Joseph Kennific 2017 1 Walter Brueggemann, The Psalms and the Life of Faith (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1995), 108. God Addressed in Risky Ways: An Experience of Psalm 35 Keith A. Joseph Kennific Doctor of Ministry Regis College and the University of Toronto 2017 Abstract This qualitative research study is situated within the Roman Catholic faith community, and explores its association with the imprecatory psalms in its prayer, reflection, and ministry. After tracing the history of the Church’s relationship with these scriptural texts, this question was posed for investigation in this phenomenological thesis: How do a group of informed, practicing adult Roman Catholics experience the imprecatory psalms? The study presented the imprecatory psalms in the context of the integral Psalter. Participants were provided the opportunity to enter into a dynamic experience of the psalmic curses—with particular attention to Psalm 35—over a period of seven weeks. Included were weekly group seminars, individual reading and writing assignments, as well as group and individual lectio divina encounters with Psalm 35. Verbal and written data were analyzed according to the parameters appropriate the phenomenological research. ii Findings disclosed some level of initial hesitancy and/or discomfort with these psalms— texts with which participants had minimal to no previous interaction. This preliminary uncertainty, however, did not appear to thwart their constructive engagement with the imprecatory psalms, nor their willingness to articulate their experience. Their responses and insights appear to support a place for these psalms in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. iii Acknowledgments I acknowledge with gratitude my director, Joseph Schner S.J., for his ready availability and insightful guidance; the bishop and Diocese of Charlottetown for generous material support; the members of my Ministry Base Group for their encouragement in the early stages of the project; the study participants for the diligent commitment that made this project possible; parishioners and others, with whom I have shared the pastoral ministry relationship, for teaching and inspiring me; and the late Bernice Cullen CSM, who first introduced a searching teenager to the Psalms. iv Dedication I lovingly dedicate this work to my Mom, June Marie Connolly, for her unflagging devotion to her children. v Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... iv Dedication ........................................................................................................................................v Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... vi Chapter I Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Personal and Ministry Context .............................................................................................1 1.2 Theology of Ministry ............................................................................................................4 1.3 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................................6 1.4 Outline ...................................................................................................................................7 Chapter II Review Of The Relevant Literature: Early Church To Enlightenment ..........................8 2.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................8 2.2 Patristic Views .....................................................................................................................9 2.2.1 Athanasius ................................................................................................................9 2.2.2 Evagrius ..................................................................................................................17 2.3 Ambivalence ......................................................................................................................19 2.3.1 Emotion ..................................................................................................................19 2.3.2 Anger ......................................................................................................................21 2.4 Integral Psalter ...................................................................................................................23 2.5 Other Patristic Voices. .......................................................................................................25 2.6 A Word from the Scholastics .............................................................................................28 2.7 Reformation and Response ................................................................................................30 2.8 Interpretive Diversity .........................................................................................................34 Chapter III Review Of The Relevant Literature: The Reforms Of Vatican II To The Present .....39 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................39 3.2 Mixed Reviews ..................................................................................................................40 3.3 Contemporary Discussion: “Thick” Reading .....................................................................42 vi 3.3.1 The “Other” ............................................................................................................42 3.3.2 The Loss of Lament ...............................................................................................44 3.3.3 Freedom of Speech and Self-Awareness ...............................................................48 3.3.4 God and Justice ......................................................................................................52 3.3.5 Story .......................................................................................................................56 3.3.6 Jesus and the Enemy ..............................................................................................59 3.3.7 Context: the Hermeneutical Key ............................................................................64 3.4 Verbum Domini .................................................................................................................66 3.5 Pastoral Care and the Bible ................................................................................................68 3.5.1 Applied Imprecation ..............................................................................................71 Chapter IV Research Methodology ...............................................................................................80 4.1 Introduction. .......................................................................................................................80 4.2 Phenomenology ..................................................................................................................80 4.3 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................82 4.4 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................89 Chapter V Results ..........................................................................................................................91 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................91 5.2 Themes ...............................................................................................................................91 5.2.1 Theme 1 .................................................................................................................91 5.2.2 Theme 2 .................................................................................................................97 5.2.3 Theme 3 ...............................................................................................................101 5.2.4 Theme 4 ...............................................................................................................106 5.2.5 Theme 5 ...............................................................................................................110 5.2.6 Theme 6 ...............................................................................................................114 5.2.7 Theme 7 ...............................................................................................................120 5.2.8 Theme 8 ...............................................................................................................124