As I journey on in faith, I’ve come to have a deeper love and appreciation for the Word of God. When I look back now, I think how foolish I was to believe that Catholics do not really have to read scripture, after all it is read to us in the Eucharistic Celebration on Sundays and more often then not it is explained to us as well. Oh I have better and more important things to do, besides even if I wanted to …where would I begin? Also how will I even understand what I am reading, it is just too hard sometimes.
Then there were the invitations for bible sharing or breaking of the Word…..BIBLE SHARING?! You’ve got to be kidding! How am I to share anything when I have a hard time understanding it myself? Or I’d look stupid or may say something that is wrong or contrary to the teachings of the Church.
With God’s grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit….
This is what I have learnt so far……
- Never approach or read the Bible like you would a storybook, magazine, history book etc. You can of course do it that way and get very little or nothing out of it. It is the Word of God! The Logos…
- Always say a prayer before reading the Word of God. A simple prayer from the heart would suffice. Example: “Heavenly Father we pray that you send forth your Holy Spirit to guide and teach us. Open our hearts and minds to your Word so that we may learn to do Your will always.”
- The Word of God speaks to each and everyone of us in different ways, even at different levels. The Word itself is One though it often consists of many parts. The same scripture passage you read at one time of your life and had one meaning for you, could have a totally new meaning for you this very day. So in a group setting…..if something, a passage or a word strikes you then don’t be afraid to share. It may be something new which the group did not see or experience and even if it is not new to them, then the Holy Spirit could have led you to open your own eyes for the very first time or to remind the rest of your group members whom might have forgotten.
- The Word of God is a living Word, it is always made new or present in a new light. It is life giving, it nurtures and it allows us to grow in faith and love. Even the brightest and most learned have been baffled and humbled by the wisdom shared by the least of their brethren through the council of the Holy Spirit.
- We are the clay in the potter’s hands, if we allow ourselves to be moulded then God will transform us through His Word. God our Father fills our cup till it runs over. But how can He fill our cup if it is already full? Full of what we think is best, our time, our hearts, our minds, our way of thinking, even our own interpretations of His Word.
Jesus our Lord and Saviour is the Word incarnate, what does this truly mean for us? Ponder deeply and reflect on this…… He is the Risen Lord who saves! Again I say to you that the Word of God is a living Word, it gives life, love, hope and so much more than can be articulated in human terms. The Word of God is only complete in us when we live it.
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