It's
sometimes said that individual Catholics don't do enough Bible
reading.
It's
true that many Protestants do stress individual Bible reading much
more than we do.
And
no doubt, we could all gain from more Bible reading.
And
from meditating and contemplating—and acting—on what we read.
But
the Bible isn't so simple a book to just pick up and understand.
It's
filled with references, allusions and expressions from thousands of
years ago.
It
uses a mix of familiar and unfamiliar literary devices.
It's
literal and figurative; prosaic and poetic.
There
are fundamental truths that are stated clearly and repeatedly,
And
jump right out at us.
Even
though they might be beyond natural possibility,
One
without the gift of faith would have to ask,
Is
this Bible saying that Jesus actually rose from the dead?
Literally?
There
are also less-clear statements, exaggerated language, and seeming
contradictions.
How
do you trace Jesus'
human genealogy?
(The
Gospels give us two very different versions.)
Did
Jonah actually survive for three days inside a whale?
Does
Jesus want us to actually pluck out our eyes and lop off our hands?
It
would take a lifetime of study to correctly understand every detail—
If
even a lifetime would be enough.
Over
the centuries, great scholars have led the Church to an authoritative
interpretation.
They've
come to agreement on the most important truths of Scripture.
But
even those scholars have differed on some of the details.
So,
where do we get our own understanding of Scripture?
For
many of us it begins with our parents, our first teachers.
Then
from our teachers at Catholic school or Sunday School or Bible Study
Class.
From
our own reading and study and discussion.
From
this first half of every Mass—where we celebrate the Liturgy of the
Word.
From
our relationships with God and with others.
And
from our life experiences.
In
today's Gospel we see the most authoritative and excellent teaching
of the Scriptures.
Jesus
himself continuing his direct, personal instruction to his disciples.
Throughout
his ministry he taught them by his words and actions.
By
living out the truths that would later be recorded as the New
Testament.
Then,
in his resurrected glory, he opened their
minds to understand the Scriptures.
And
he sent them out to spread the Good News to all the nations.
But
he didn't leave them alone to accomplish their mission.
He
instituted his Church, with himself as its head.
He
promised to stay with it always, in Spirit, and guide it until the
end of time.
So,
his Church is here to guide us today.
Its
witnesses and scholars have devoted thousands of lifetimes to better
understanding the Scriptures.
They've
written letters, treatises, commentaries, lessons and books.
They've
held debates, conferences, synods and councils.
They've
developed, preserved, and passed down to us, the wisdom and truths
they found.
Sharing
in all of that is one great benefit of our being part of the Church.
We're
each still responsible for ourselves.
For
developing our own understanding of Scripture.
For
developing our own well-formed conscience.
For
attending to and nourishing our own relationship with God.
For
listening for any direct, personal instruction he might be offering
us—
His
current day disciples.
For
carrying out our own actions and good works.
And
for spreading the Good News so that others can hear and begin their
own journeys.
But
we don't have to figure it all out alone, or carry it all out alone.
As
members of Jesus' Church, we have him, his Holy Spirit, and the rest
of the Church.
Like
those disciples in the locked room, and those disciples on the road
to Emmaus—
We
have guides and companions to help us along our way.
3rd Sunday of Easter
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