1 September 201322nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
As summer winds down and new beginnings take shape, we pause to offer some reminders and helpful hints for Bible study and reflection. Let us give ourselves permission right now to be “takers.”
Take yourself into the passage. Place yourself at the feet of Jesus as one who finds comfort, healing, enlightenment. Respond to the Lord from this experience. Immerse yourself in the faith struggles and triumphs of the men and women of the Hebrew Scriptures. Join in the sentiments of the psalmists as they cry out in joy, anguish and gratitude.Take time to understand the passage you are reading. Consult footnotes and commentary to help put the passage in its proper context, enhancing its meaning.
Take the opportunity to “sleep on the Gospels” as the monastics tell us. Prepare your heart for receiving the proclaimed word by reading the passage before bedtime. This practice allows the sacred word to gracefully "seep into" the subconscious mind, allowing you to hear the word more deeply when you hear it proclaimed at Mass.Take a specific phrase with you as the reading is concluded. Listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit who may speak a word of comfort, encouragement or chastisement directly to your heart. Continue to ponder this message throughout your day. Let it lead you more deeply into the Scripture reading, into deeper self-knowledge, conversion of heart, prayer and action.
Renewed and refreshed we return next week to our continuing study of the weekly readings.
