Dei Verbum first part of paragraph 25
Very often people who have cooled to the faith return when
they have children. This is a good thing
and a bad thing. It’s good in that they
return because they see value in the faith and want to pass it on. It is a bad thing in that they missed years
of growing in the faith and won’t have those years of developed relationship
and understanding of God to pass on. You
can’t give what you don’t have.
In a similar manner, the Council Fathers exhort especially
priests, deacons, and catechists to immerse themselves in Sacred Scripture; to
draw ever more deeply from the well to nourish the faithful. You can’t give what you don’t have – and ignorance
of Scripture is ignorance of Christ – and what do we have to offer if we don’t
know Christ?
But clerics and catechists are not the only game in the sites
of the Council’s gun. If someone is
under the impression that dust is considered a good, Catholic, protective
covering for a Bible, the Fathers wish to relieve them of that misconception. They “forcefully and specifically exhort all
the Christian people . . . to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ.’
. . . Therefore let them go gladly to the sacred text itself.” They don’t use much more clearer language
than that.
We are all encouraged to engage the Scriptures at Mass, in
Bible studies, and in other forms of prayer and formation. But in a special way we are encouraged to use
Scripture in prayer. When we pray we
speak, when we read the Scriptures, we listen.
Read the Bible. If
you think you do not have time, be creative.
Buy a read version for your car ride and play it on the car stereo
system. Keep a Bible open in your
bathroom and read one paragraph a day while you brush your teeth. Have a service send you a verse a day on your
computer. Do something.
This year the Church will be exploring the Gospel of Mark in
particular. Maybe for Lent take a day
and read through his Gospel. Get to know
his style, his emphasis, and his personality.
In any event, engage this ancient writing that formed our
culture and changed the face of the earth. (I'm not recommending the book shown to the right - I don;t even know it - just liked the cover.)
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