942 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070
Mailing Address: PO Box 575
860.658.7627
Mailing Address: PO Box 575
860.658.7627
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January 19, 2022Pope Francis has declared that this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, be observed as “Sunday of the Word of God” to highlight the importance of the Bible in our prayer and worship as Catholics. It is so appropriate to focus on the importance of Sacred Scripture on this Sunday which comes on the heels of the celebration of the Birth of Jesus who is, as St. John the Evangelist reminds us, “the Word [who] became flesh and dwelt among us,” (Jn. 1:14). With the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, inclusion of Sacred Scripture in our celebration of Mass was greatly expanded. A three-year cycle Lectionary for Sundays was developed so that we might hear more of the riches of the Bible at Sunday Mass. While we don’t read the entire Bible over the three-year cycle, we are exposed to much more of the Bible at Mass than ever before. (There is also a two-year cycle Lectionary used on weekdays). Also, the Second Vatican Council encouraged that “homilies” be preached at Mass that break open the meaning of the Word of God for us, rather than “sermons” that more narrowly focus on some specific tenet of the faith.
We are invited to make the Word of God, (i.e. Sacred Scripture, the Bible) a more central part of our faith experience. Reading and praying with Scripture, especially the practice of Lectio Divina (pondering and reflecting on a Scripture passage in prayer), is a time-honored practice in our tradition. Gathering in small groups to reflect on the Sunday Scriptures is also quite beneficial for our spiritual growth and understanding of the Bible. Listening attentively to the Scripture at Mass enables us to meet the Risen Lord present in the proclaimed Word which, as the Second Vatican Council reminds us, is one of the four primary ways Christ is present to us at Mass (Word, Eucharist, People & Priest). Studying Scripture in a more formal Bible Study can illuminate its meaning for us and help us to understand the Biblical texts within their historical and literary contexts. A greater familiarity of the Scriptures can also aid us in conversations with other Christians who share a common belief in these texts, and even help us in our task of the evangelization of others.
St. Jerome says, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” We grow in our understanding of and relationship with Jesus when we read, study and pray with the Bible. May each of us strive to make time and space for the Bible in our daily faith lives. Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization at the time when the Sunday of the Word of God was introduced two years ago explains: it is an initiative that the Pope has entrusted to the whole Church so that "the Christian community may concentrate on the great value that the Word of God occupies in its daily existence." Pope Francis, Fisichella concluded, wants to make sure everyone is entrusted with the Word of God: “This Sunday, he wants to stimulate all Christians not just to place the Bible on the shelf as one of many books, perhaps filled with dust, but as an instrument that awakens our faith.
Here at St. Mary’s, there are many opportunities to study and ponder the Scriptures:Deacon Art’s weekly Bible Study
Tuesday morning reading/reflection on Scripture
Men’s Ministry weekly meetings
Periodic Bible studies offered by our Adult Enrichment ministry
In addition, there are great podcasts and other online opportunities as well, like Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” podcast which you may begin at any time. Consider taking some time to enrich your spiritual life this week with a little additional Scripture reading as we celebrate this Sunday of the Word of God!
