Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 8: You do not read alone.

"By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,  USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 5  Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. (Luke 3:1-2)

Why all the names? (Honestly, isn't it hard not to "tune out" at the beginning of this week's gospel reading?)

Who are all these people? Emperors, governors, local rulers, high priests: these are the political power brokers of Jesus' day. Authority, domination and military might usher in the opening scene of this Sunday's gospel. Could this be a deliberate act on the part of Luke to provide a striking contrast to what will follow?

The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Luke 3:2-3)

In the starkness of the wilderness, a WORD will come forth to silence the raging powers.  Is this not the Word that will bring forth an even mightier kingdom? Is this not the “all-powerful Word that leaps down in the stillness of the night” as the author of the biblical Book of Wisdom tells us? Such a powerful contrast to Rome and its mighty earthly rulers!

Ponder this amazing scene: a humble, gentle Word (Jesus, the Incarnate Christ) will break through to bring forth a new age and a new kingdom.  It will be a kingdom not of domination and injustice, but one of salvation when all things will be made new.

Advent Prayer
May the Word who is Christ enter our hearts
        in quiet and gentle ways;
May the Holy Spirit help us to appreciate more fully
        the gift of salvation;
May we celebrate our own “baptism of repentance”
        by turning (or returning) to God during this season.
May all our thoughts, words and actions
        help to prepare the way of the Lord.

Every time we open the Bible our hearts should tremble.
 

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 7: The Old relates to the New.

"The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings."

From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 4 First Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jeremiah, a prophet of the 7th century B.C., spoke to a nation in crisis.  Religious reform in the land of Judah (Israel), initiated by King Josiah, had given way to idolatry and  infidelity.  Babylon was about to crash through the gates of Jerusalem, taking Israel captive in a foreign land, and there was no help for it.

Today's brief reading is part of a longer passage that promises that, even though Israel is suffering for its sins, one day God will restore and heal Israel, bringing abundance and lasting peace. So even when the people is mired in faithlessness, God looks kindly upon his people.

Today's reading is kind of short, but it contains three very powerful messages. Through Jeremiah, God promises:

• "The days are coming…when I will fulfill the promise I made…." Not even Jeremiah could imagine such a savior who came to free us from the bondage of our infidelities and sinfulness. Oh, what a gift!
• "The one I raise up will do what is right and just in the land …." God's promised savior would bring about justice and righteousness and would become our teacher in the ways of righteousness. Oh, what a gift!
• "Jerusalem shall dwell safely.…" God's promised savior would restore peacefulness to the land, healing the people from the ravages of their oppressors. In God we learn to find a safety and security far beyond what earth could ever provide. Oh, what a gift!

In Advent we reflect on these three gifts given to us by God in the person of Jesus: (1) Our renewal and forgiveness of sins; (2) God's forming us in righteousness; (3) God's deeply needed gift of peace, for ourselves and our world.

Prayer
May the words of Jeremiah speak to your hearts today as we journey through the week. In this way we hope to be informed, formed and transformed by God's Holy Word this Advent.