Diocese of Toledo, Ohio

Browsing From the Pastor

A Suggested Guideling for Reading the Scriptures

 

   The Lord speaks to us in a powerful way in and through the reading and proclamation of the Scriptures. Reading and prayerfully reflecting upon the given Readings ahead of time that have been designated for each celebration of Mass can be a helpful way of opening ourselves to the impact that these Readings would have as they are proclaimed at Mass.

   As a guide to reading the Bible in a fruitful and appealing manner, I recommend reading each day those Readings that have been selected for the Mass of that day. The references to these Readings are indicated in the weekly bulletins of both St. Mary and Resurrection Parishes. Doing this can be helpful for reasons such as the following. First, it makes the endeavor to read the Bible bite-sized. Trying to read the Bible from cover to cover can be overwhelming. A second reason for reading the Bible in this way is that over a three year period, one can cover much of the content of the Scriptures, particularly the matter that pertains most directly to our eternal and temporal well-being. As many of us are already aware, the Readings to be proclaimed at weekend Masses are on a three year cycle. We are presently in Cycle C. Different Readings are used in each cycle. The change in cycles occurs each year on the First Sunday of Advent. For the weekday Masses, a two year cycle is used for the first Reading proclaimed at these Masses. The Gospel for weekday Masses remains the same.

   A third reason for letting the Readings designated for each Mass to guide our reading of the Bible is that over the course of time, we are exposed to the various facets of the Lord’s reaching out to us. We are instinctively drawn to the comforting and reassuring aspects of God’s Word. Perhaps, this factor contributes to why our churches are full at Christmas and on Easter. The Readings for these festive occasions proclaim Good News. We need to focus on the Good News of God’s redeeming love for us in our Lord Jesus Christ.

   At the same time, there are aspects of God’s reaching out to us that are challenging. We are urged to allow God’s Word to change and to transform the way we live. The Word of God has powerful implications for all aspects of our lives, both as individuals and for all of the groups to which we belong. We are continually reminded in the Scriptures of the need, with the Lord’s grace and help, to embrace a life of on-going conversion.

   Apart from the guidance that is offered to us in reading the Scriptures, our spiritual life can become lop-sided or out of balance. Hopefully, we will want to live in the light of the whole counsel of God. For our total well-being, we need to hear and to apply to our lives that which challenges us as well as that which consoles us and fills us with hope and confidence.

   Let’s always read and reflect upon the Scriptures within the context of celebrating the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. As we faithfully celebrate these Sacraments, we are offered the grace and strength to extend in our lives the message of God’s love to which the Scriptures testify in a unique, distinctive and authoritative manner.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Nelson Beaver – Pastor

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