SACRED SCRIPTURE

(1/24/07) TOPIC OF DISCUSSION)

PRESENTED BY: Fr. Ed Jocson

 

 

Opening prayer

 

This session is about Sacred Scripture.  This past Sunday’s readings refer to Sacred Scripture or the bible.  In Catholic Theology the definition of the Word is Jesus Christ.  In the beginning, according to St. John (John 1:1-5), the Word was present, i.e. during creation.  In fact, the entire Trinity – Father Son and Holy Spirit were present.  This particular reading, however, focuses on the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, Jesus the Son.  The entire theology is contained in the 1st line.  Jesus is one with the Father.  He is God and The Word of the Father.  Everything came into existence through Him.  He is The Light that shines in the darkness without being overcome.   References to the Light are really speaking about Jesus Christ.  The homily this Sunday focused on the Good News. 

 

In the course of three weeks we moved from the Christmas Story – the birth of Jesus to Him grown up.  We went from a baby to a mature man.  We skipped 30 years of his life - from the angels proclaiming His descending to be among men as a babe in the manger to His baptism in the river Jordan when the Heavens opened with the Father proclaiming “This is my Beloved Son in Whom I well pleased.”  Again the Blessed Trinity is revealed for the Holy Spirit descends upon the Son in the form of a Dove. 

 

We move from Christmas to Jesus’ public ministry.  He goes back to Nazareth to reveal Himself.  He enters the Synagogue, is handed the scroll and begins reading     a passage from the prophet Isaiah (last Sunday’s Gospel reference Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21).  He begins with “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me.”  Thus Jesus announced to those present that this scripture was fulfilled in their presence.  The word became flesh in order to become one with us.  The quoted words of Isaiah capture the essence of Jesus’ ministry to the blind the captives and downtrodden.  

 

Last Sunday’s first reading was Nehemiah Chapter 8:2-4, 5-6, 8-10.   It is a reminder of what we, today, do during our liturgical celebrations.  Nehemiah summarizes the format of our present worship pattern.  We listen to the first and second readings, and sing the Psalm in between joining in the responsorial.  Then, out of respect for the words of Jesus, we stand to receive the Gospel.   We all ascent to the truths contained therein by our response “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.”  The homily presents a reflection on the readings, explaining their significance.  The congregation then proceeds with worshiping and thanking the Living God, recommitting themselves to the covenant, and participating in the Sacred Meal.


In the days of Nehemiah the people who had been in exile return to a destroyed heritage.  Their lives and familiar environment were unrecognizable.  They then commit to rebuilding their lives and culture.  Note how long the readings took in those days – from daybreak to midday.  This emphasizes the commitment they had to knowing the word, dedicating themselves to its contents and demonstrating their commitment by how they lived it out.   When we encounter God in his word and understand what he wants of us our level of commitment should be the same.  It is therefore important to make time to read Sacred Scriptures.  The selections of Sunday or even weekday readings are always thematic.   Reflecting prayerfully on these readings, or even the bible as a whole, can give us direction as to what the Lord wants of us.  With his grace we can live out His word in obedience. 

 

In the second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 12:12-30) we are reminded that we are One Body in Christ.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a whole section on Sacred Scriptures (CCC 100-141).   One is directed to read this text for a better understanding of our discussion today.  Christ is the unique reference to the Word.  Just as Jesus took on a human form, God speaks to us via human words/language; in ways that we are familiar with.  Pope John Paul II wrote a beautiful book entitled “Theology of the Body.”  The book traces God’s transcendence into the human experience so that we can be raised to the Divine.  Sacred Scripture is God’s communication in a language that we can understand.  The entire Bible is about Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament promises His coming, and the New Testament describes His living among us.  It then projects to His return in glory.  The New Testament reveals His message and how we are to live it out.  The Bible, then, is essentially The Word made Flesh for our understanding, tangible encounter and relationship.  Again, the premise of “The Theology of the Body” is that God communicates through our created bodies.  Consider that God is present in the bedroom; in that life-giving, intimate communication between a husband and a wife.  Via human sexuality, physical love between man and woman,  represents God’s physical love for us.  In the Old Testament’s Song of Songs this illustration becomes clear.  Pope John Paul’s book makes this discussion much easier to conduct.  Human sexuality, in God’s plan, therefore, is sacred and beautiful when understood in this context and according to His will.  The New Testament reiterates the fact that Jesus is the Word made flesh and this truth is not only evident in His humanity but also in the human stories that He told.  He made the human experience, love, suffering even to death, relevant and meaningful.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to Sacred Scripture as inspiration and truth; not just mere words of people, but inspired by the Holy Spirit in human language so the Father can communicate with His created beings.  These words are specially chosen.  They have power and meaning.  Although written by  human beings, the real source is the Holy Spirit.  There has been endless discussion through the ages regarding the Bible and how it came to be.  Translations from the original languages of the Old and New Testaments have for the most part tried to be true to the original intent however the subject is complicated and not relevant to this discussion.  Suffice it to say that the Author is God via the inspiration of the chosen writers and the content is precisely what God wanted to communicate and nothing more.  In CCC 106, 107 and 108 the Catechism describes how God used the natural faculties and powers of the writers so that the language was authentic to the writer but the intent was inspired.  God acted through and by them.  Understand that the Bible is not a dead letter but a Living Word – the Word of God, Jesus Christ.   The use of the human language was a concrete way to communicate with us in a manner that we would understand.  Therefore the most appropriate approach to reading Sacred Scripture is by first praying to the Holy Spirit, the One who inspired the authorship.  He will lead you into truly understanding the Word. 

 

Our religion, therefore, therefore is not one of the book but rather of the Word, the Living Word that became incarnate and lived among us.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you into a real understanding of Jesus Christ who will open up our minds to a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Godhead; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Some play Russian Roulette with the Scriptures, selecting verses at random.   Sometimes a certain verse will speak to you in a particular circumstance, but it is wise not to make a habit of it.  Be attentive to the content and the unity of the whole Scripture.  In the Catholic Church we not only have the Bible but also Sacred Tradition.  This represents reflections by holy men and women on the Word of God over the centuries.  The literal sense is explained by exegesis or deciphering, and requires the reader and interpreter to be in tandem with the church.  Spiritual understanding of Scripture is achieved by keeping Christ at the center of its true intent.  Thus we will understand how the crossing of the Red Sea is a symbol of Christ’s life death and resurrection and consequently the gift of baptism.  Scripture contains Analogy, Allegory and Anagogy.   According to St. Paul, the moral directives which are gleaned from reported events in scripture are  written for our instruction.  These directives lead us to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God.

 

Last Sunday’s 2nd Reading from Corinthians talks about One Body with many parts.  As such we must work together.  Body parts cannot exist independent of each other.  St. Paul was addressing the early church and his words are still relevant.  Critical issues of division were threatening to tear asunder the infant church.  We are indeed a single body with Christ as the Head.  Mutual acceptance results in a healthy, loving community which functions to promote the common good.  It knows how to deal constructively with divisions.  This is the moral sense that gives us an eternal perspective and leads us back home to the Heavenly Jerusalem.   We must be careful about using scripture to justify activity that is not in accord with the will of God.  That could be presumptuous.  We should instead use Sacred Scripture, in humility, as a yardstick to help us measure up to God’s expectation of us.

 

The books of the Bible were compiled into what is now the cannon of Sacred Scripture.  Consensus of those who attended an early council of the church determined that these 46 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament comprised the Canon of Sacred Scripture.  The four Gospels tell the story of Jesus Christ and His teachings.   The rest of the New Testament expands on this theme and shows us how to apply these teachings to our lives.  It formulates a belief system and shows us how to live it out.   How we live our lives and treat one another, therefore, is a direct result of how we apply God’s word to our lives.  Walking humbly with God begins with reading, receiving and appropriate applying the Word to our lives.  The inspired Word of God has the power to change us.  It is the force that adds vigor and provides nourishment to the children of the Church.  It is Spirit and Life, food for the soul and comfort for the suffering as it gives meaning to our sometimes painful existences.  In these modern times it is readily accessible to the faithful.   This was not so in the past, for the written word was not available to the simple who could not read.  This is explained in CCC 100-141.   The Liturgy of the Hours was a prayer recited by those in monastic life and it still is.  There are nine sets of prayer in 4 volumes according to the Seasons of the Church – Advent, Lent, Easter and Ordinary time.  The monks observed a life of prayer and work.  Their whole vocation was to be in constant communication with God.  Without actually being able to read a word the early simple members of Christ’s Body were instructed on Sacred Scripture by these monks.

 

In summary, Jesus is the Word of God, before, during, and after creation.  The Sacred Scriptures are Gods communication or revelation to us.  The Father sent His Son, The Word.  His coming was predicted and His chosen prophets prepared the way.  When He came He taught us about His Kingdom and our ultimate destiny, an eternity with the Triune God.  It is therefore our privilege and responsibility to know Sacred Scripture, and to prayerfully reflect on the Holy Word so that we are equipped to live the life God expects.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

Cecilia Cordeiro

Documentor