In 2010, I started taking Scripture study classes and my mind began to open to the Word of God and the Story of Salvation spanning the Bible. I met like-minded people who were curious too. Some had studied Scripture for years and others were novices like me. I am a cradle Catholic and had attended Mass faithfully for decades, yet probably like you, I grew up in a time where our religious education did not include studying the Bible. What I didn’t anticipate when I began my adult education was how much it would illuminate the Mass readings for me.

We hear some of the Old and New Testament readings year after year, so we feel that we know them well, but the excerpts read in Mass do not reveal what led up to that scene and what follows it. They don’t explain the connection between the Old Testament and the New. They don’t share insight about the authors and the reason why they wrote their books or the context and historical significance of why things happened the way they did. There are also many genres of literature in the library of books contained in the Bible and when we read them without an understanding of their differences, we may interpret readings literally that are intended to be figurative and figuratively those writings that are literal.

For instance, it is significant to know that Genesis does not aim to give a scientific explanation of the origins of the universe. It uses figurative language to describe real events that profoundly influenced the history of the human race. There is much to be clarified in the New Testament too. For instance, the Gospel of Mark was written first and is Peter’s telling of Jesus’ life and ministry. Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience and John wrote many years after the others explaining why he doesn’t include many stories that Matthew, Mark and Luke already told.

All of the Bible’s books, no matter the genre or author, are divine writings inspired by the Holy Spirit. Unlike every other book, its words are live and God speaks to each of us personally through them. Therefore, St. Jerome’s words, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ,” should be a call to action for us all to read and study Scripture to acquire the wisdom, consolation, and instruction only God can provide.

Scripture: Read Luke 24:25-27. What stands out?

Call to Action:  Dip your toes in the Scripture Study pool this summer and attend our two foundational events run by Kurt Herbstritt on June 20th and 27th. See the bulletin to register.