Over this weekend I am writing my presentation on Sacred Scripture for the parish RCIA class. I have before me the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Compendium of the CCC, the Bible, and a copy of the Vatican II document Dei Verbum (God's Word). I first encountered the latter on my Divinity course at Maryvale (alas, never finished). It is perhaps one of the best documents to come out of that Council of the Church; well written and a good guide to the study, interpretation and use of Holy Scripture in the Church.
It has always been a source of sadness to me that so many Catholics tell me that they "cannot", or "must not", or "are not allowed to" read Holy Scripture. Even sadder are those Catholics who cannot see the point of reading Scripture. It was Saint Jerome who said that "Ignorance of Scripture is Ignorance of Christ". This is so true.
I am, of course a convert to Catholicism and it is because I have a Protestant background that I have a good grounding in reading Scripture (although I also have some 'bad' (protestant) habits such as taking a verse of scripture out of context in order to prove a point!).
I am a Reader in my parish and so I have good reason and purpose in reading Scripture to myself regularly. It is important that the Reader is familiar with, and understands what they have to read. It helps to be able to understand the context, the historical era, the meaning and the accepted Church interpretation.
But above and beyond all the above reasons; I just love the Word of God. It fills me up to overflowing with Love and thankfulness that I can Listen to His Word and obey His Teachings. Amen.
I agree with that you said.Its important that we understand of what the book said.
~Ashley~
Posted by: flower delivery Philippine | 12/14/2009 at 03:20 AM