Word to the Wise
Friday, June 4, 2010 - St. Peter of Verona, O.P., first Dominican martyr
[2 Timothy 3:10-17 and Mark 12:28-34]All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy]
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Second Vatican Council may be found in its encouragement to all Catholics to become more familiar (or familiar at all!) with the scriptures! This encouragement is contained in the magnificent document, Dei Verbum, which I would urge all my Beloved Congregation to read. But it won't help to read this document if we don't follow its encouragement to read the scriptures. The scriptures referred to in the quote above, of course, would be what we call the Old Testament, particularly the "law" [the Torah, contained in the first five books of the Bible], the prophets and the book of psalms. The New Testament was not yet "collected" at the time of the writing of the Second Letter to Timothy. We, however, have the benefit of the decision of the Church, reached over a long period of time, as to which "books" of the Bible would be considered "inspired" and included in the "canon" of scripture. Although we Catholics are familiar with the term, "the Real Presence," we associate it with the Blessed Sacrament. The Second Vatican Council, in its document on the Sacred Liturgy, points out that Christ is truly present in his word when it is proclaimed at the celebration of the Eucharist. This same presence comes to us in the presence of the Holy Spirit when we read and meditate and preach God's word. This makes the Bible a kind of "tabernacle." Those of us who have visited Protestant churches may have seen a large bible open at the front. (I often accompanied my mother to her Presbyterian Church - she was the organist and had to practice - and saw the large bible that was front and center below the pulpit. She became a Catholic later on.) This respect and devotion to the Word of God is rather recent for us Catholics! We tend to look for the tabernacle (or in Eastern Churches, for the icons) and not for the Bible (or pulpit!) when we enter a Catholic church. Recent efforts to acquaint Catholics with the scriptures have accomplished much through such programs as the Little Rock Scripture Study and others. The practice of Lectio Divina was highly recommended in the recent synod of the bishops dedicated to the role of the scriptures in the life of the church. Again, I highly recommend to my Beloved Congregation that you consider this practice for becoming deeply immersed in God's Word. The advice given to Timothy is advice given to us. It is never too late to become more familiar with the Word of God. Hearing it on Sunday only is a very bare minimum. Although our Catholic faith admits that God's revelation is broader than what is contained in the Scriptures (Tradition), we do not admit traditions that are contrary to the Scriptures. To become "equipped for every good work" is a noble and practical goal, but it means opening, reading and praying with the Bible. AMEN
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