BIBLE SUNDAY: LIVING BY THE WORD (Part I, II & III)

BIBLE SUNDAY: LIVING BY THE WORD (Part I)

This Sunday has been designated Catholic Bible Sunday by the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Team (PMPT). It presents an opportunity for us to hear afresh and be renewed in our attentiveness to God’s Word through reading and reflecting on the Word of God in our Church, in all liturgical celebrations and at home.

 WHY PEOPLE DON’T STUDY THE BIBLE:
1. “It’s archaic, out of date.”
2. “I don’t know the technique of studying the Bible. I don't have the   skills of reading.”
3. The problem of priorities. “I just don’t have the time.”
4. “I have my doubts about the Bible. It is difficult to understand.”
5. Laziness: “It’s such a boring and dull book, and I don’t enjoy reading it.”
6. “I can’t seem to make the Bible come alive.”

The Bible leads us to Jesus Christ and eternal life! It transforms us into the image of Jesus by renewing our minds and hearts. On this Bible Sunday we shall commit ourselves to study the Bible for personal improvement and find fulfilment in our lives.  Even if the Bible were the most boring book in the world; dull,  uninteresting and seemingly   irrelevant, it would still be our duty to study it!

Pope Francis encourages parents and children to share a few verses of Scripture when together at home in the evening. Such a habit without fail creates a prayerful atmosphere within a family, because Christ is speaking to that family.

The Word of God is inspired by God and it has the power to change and transform our lives. We always fail in our duty to study the Word of God. Success or failure in our Christian life depends upon how deeply we study the Bible and get it into our heart and our lives on a regular basis, and how obedient we are to it. If we are not reading the Word of God, then it only will be a matter of time before we fall apart spiritually. Ultimately the main  reason why we should read the Bible is because it is our duty! It is our Christian duty and not an option. When we study and imbibe God’s Word, it becomes a source of strength for our lives and we will be more effective in our Christian living.

Get into the Word! Read your Bible! Love your Bible!

 “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12)

BIBLE SUNDAY: LIVING BY THE WORD (PART 2)

We hear the Word of God proclaimed at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Church teaches that through this proclamation Christ himself speaks to us. It is essential therefore for lectors to speak the Word to the congregation clearly. When the Scriptures are read, Christ communes and dialogues with his people - especially when gathered for the Holy Eucharist.

Carry with you a bible or missal when you come for Mass. These days, one can download useful applications on to one’s smart phones. Many Catholics, for example, use UNIVERSALIS (www.universalis.com) where they can access Readings At Mass, Order of Mass, Yearly Calendar and other useful information. You are most welcome to follow the readings from your gadget while the Lectors/Priest proclaim the Word from the     pulpit. It is said that by following the prescribed readings of the day for three years, one would have read the whole Bible.

 A Brief Appreciation of the Catholic Bible:  The Catholic Bible was compiled by a Catholic Council 300 years after Jesus Christ died. The Catholic bible comprises 73 books (46 books of the Old    Testament and 27 books of the New Testament), written over a period of about eight centuries. Although originally written in   Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, it has been translated into more than 1000 languages. 

Please take note: The most popular section of the Old Testament is the 150 Psalms which are classified as hymns, petitions and thanksgiving. You are encouraged to pray with the words of the Psalmist. It is in the Book of Psalms that God said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm: 46:10)

A Suggestion: The printed prayer below can be cut and pasted onto the inside cover page of your Bible. Pray it daily each time you open your Holy Bible:- 

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Word. May it sanctify us by your truth, because your Word is Truth and it is alive and active. Help us by your Holy Spirit so to listen to your holy Word, read it, study and imbibe it and always hold fast the joyful hope of everlasting life.  May it be a guide to our steps, a light to our paths and a source of strength for our lives.

May your words abide in us so that when we pray, you will grant us the clarity, joy and peace to overcome the strongholds of    bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, fear, doubt, discouragement and other negativities. Give us faith to receive your Word, understanding to grasp the truth and the will to practise It. Amen.”

BIBLE: LIVING BY THE WORD (PART 3)

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God, understanding it and assimilating it into our lives. Therefore, preaching the Word of God is necessary and that’s why Jesus says:

                      “A sower went out to sow his seed,” (Mt 13: 3; LK 8: 5). 

The sower who went out is the preacher and we (not only the priests) are commissioned to preach God’s life-giving Word.

Moses preached the Law of God to the whole people of Israel in the land of Moab, (Deut 1 & 2). In the times of the  Old Testament , God appointed prophets as His messengers to speak His word to the people. In the time of the New Testament , God sent His Holy Spirit to His people to preach His Word to all.

Finally Christ, both in his humanity as well as divinity, came to preach the Word of God. He sent out the apostles to preach to all nations and to baptize them (Mt 28: 19 - 20). Preaching the gospel is therefore an apostolic as well as a divine task for all Christians.

The Word of God is so filled with manifold goodness that it is like a treasury of all good things. From this Word comes faith, hope, charity, love, all the virtues, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all the gospel beatitudes, all good works, all merit in this life and the glory of paradise.

Let us first cleanse our hearts from all evil and humbly accept the Word which God has planted in our hearts and which can save us. For the word of God is light to the mind and fire to the will, enabling every listener to know and love God and to discern His will. When we obey His Word, we can triumphantly live out His way of life and become a trusted light to our neighbours, family and friends.

Let us pray for all missionaries, priests and religious working with Mother Church, that they may have the courage and heart for the Gospel. And let us together be involved in the sowing of the seed!

I hope you do spend time in reading, meditating and praying with the Word of God on a regular basis. I am happy to see that a majority of you come to church to fulfill your Sunday obligation as the Lord's Day. However, there is one thing that I find disturbing while celebrating Mass. It’s seeing some of you standing outside the Church and participating in the celebration. Why won’t you come inside and worship together with the rest of the community? Even if you come late, it’s ok. You are still welcome to enter the Church.

How would you feel if I came to your house, stood outside your door, greeted you and left without entering your house? I am sure you would feel that it was not right and would be unhappy about it. Similarly, when you come to God’s house and remain outside, how do you think God feels?

Do give this some serious thought. Do you want to disappoint God? If you want to grow spiritually then you must improve yourselves little by little. Do take your seats inside the Church and participate as one community, one Church for the Sunday liturgy.

I would also like to urge all of you to prepare yourselves when you come for the Sunday Eucharist. If we receive Jesus with little preparation, poor participation in the Holy Mass, with a cold heart and no thanksgiving, you may find a kind of stagnant in your spiritual growth. St Paul warns us to be aware of whom it is that we are receiving (1 Cor 11: 17-33).

We are all unworthy sinners, yet God welcomes us with open arms ... so the doors of the Church are always open to everyone ... saint or sinner ... all of you are welcome, so don’t be stranger. Do help someone back to Sunday Mass. God bless you and your family..