Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
A few years ago, the late Pope Francis declared the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time to be “Sunday of the Word of God” in an Apostolic Letter called Aperuit Illis. That title mean “He opened to them,” in reference to St. Luke’s telling of the Lord opening the minds of the disciples on the road to Emmaus how all of Scripture pointed to the death and resurrection of the Son of God.
Pope Francis wrote to the world to remind us that a deeper love and knowledge of Scripture will open for each of us a more profound and robust faith, to insist that Scripture has been revealed for all, that God’s Word is meant to touch every human heart. He encouraged priests to prepare homilies prayerfully, and to deliver them simply so that the profound mysteries contained in the Word can be more readily received by the faithful. He reminded us all that, since the authors of Sacred Scripture were inspired by the Holy Spirit, we too should call upon the Holy Spirit in our reading, study, and prayer of the Word.
That Sunday, the Sunday of the Word of God, is today, and it gives us each the opportunity to reflect: how is my relationship with Sacred Scripture? Am I familiar with the Word of God? Do I find the Bible comforting or daunting?
The Bible can be intimidating. Each book was written at a particular time to a particular audience, in a particular genre…there is critical context and nuance to understand. Before the “Bible in a Year” podcast came out, I recall a good few attempts I made to read the Bible cover to cover, getting so lost and overwhelmed, with confusion leading to frustration.
But where things began to change for me was in simply starting with the Gospels, where there is so much that is familiar, so many of the consoling words of Jesus that I’d heard at Mass, so many encounters He had that prayerful reflection could make come to life, revealing something the Lord had for me.
I invite you to prayerfully reflect today and this week on what parts of the Word of God have spoken to your heart and moved you in the past. The Prodigal Son, the Lost Sheep, the Beatitudes, the Passion Narrative, the Multiplication of the Loaves, the Transfiguration, the Wedding at Cana, the Woman at the Well… Is there something Our Lord said or did that has given you strength and hope? What from the letters of St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John, or St. James has “opened” your eyes, your mind, or your heart more to the Lord? Go back to these fonts of grace, as the Word of God can never be exhausted, asking the Holy Spirit to accompany you, helping you to be open to what the Lord is saying to you. Be open!
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
All you holy saints of God, pray for us!
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Michael Silloway
Pastor