Some of us have been reading the Bible and the teaching on the Eucharistic readings in this book, One Bread, One Body, almost every day for several decades. Many of us have heard God's Word at Sunday Mass or at other times for twenty, fifty, or even seventy years. Some of us have even read through the Bible. However, the question is not: "How many times have we been through the Bible?" but "How many times has the Bible been through us?" On Judgment Day, we will not be accountable for how much of the Bible we know but for how much of it we have lived. However, we have a much better opportunity to live the Bible if we have tried to know it. Consequently, the words of St. Jerome are true: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133).
If someone didn't know you, would they, by observing you, come to the conclusion that you believe that the teaching of the Church, especially as contained in the Bible, is not merely "the word of men, but...truly is, the word of God at work within you who believe"? (1 Thes 2:13) Abide in God's Word (Jn 8:31), do God's Word (Jas 1:22), and make any sacrifice to share God's Word (see 2 Tm 4:2). Only then will our lives proclaim "loud and clear" that the Church's teaching and the Bible are "the Word of the Lord."
| PRAYER: | Father, when the lector concludes the reading with the phrase, "The word of the Lord," may my life cry out, "Thanks be to God." |
| PROMISE: | "We encouraged and pleaded with you to make your lives worthy of the God Who calls you to His kingship and glory." –1 Thes 2:12 |
| PRAISE: | Mark moved into an apartment for seniors. Within a few weeks, he was leading a Bible study for his fellow residents. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College