In a few lines, I wish to attempt to explain a few points about reading a spiritual text, such as a passage from the Bible. To my surprise, two persons recently told me that they had difficulty understanding Jeremiah’s prayers in which he wrestled with God. The words are in everyday speech, the experiences are common to all of us, God is ever God, so I am puzzled by a difficulty in understanding. It occurs to me that many Christians do not understand how to read the Bible well, and that in the present period, not many persons even attempt to study sacred scriptures or read spiritual classics in our culture. Many Protestants, especially of the more fundamentalistic bend, read the Bible as if they were reading a history book with information, or as if the texts were written just for them. Most Catholics have not been
schooled in reading the Old and New Testaments; their familiarity with them is limited to the snippets of passages read at Mass, and to which they may pay little attention. The use of biblical passages at Mass assumes that our parishioners pray over these texts in silence, and study the sacred scriptures, but I have found few who make the effort. Catholics seem to have a much easier time appreciating Gospel stories than passages from the Old Testament, or the Psalms, or the letters of Paul, let alone apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Revelation. In private, people who have active minds often tell me that they do not understand what is read at Mass, and so appreciate it when the priest makes the material come alive for them. And I have long noticed that if I question parishioners immediately after hearing the Mass readings, not much, apparently, came across. Occasionally it brings to mind the words of Amos: “The time is surely coming, says the LORD God, when I shall send a famine on the land: not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD” (8:11).
In making short reading assignments from the Bible for all to do each week, the goal is for you to attain spiritual nourishment, to increase your awareness of God and of your need for God. Our common goal is not to engage in scientific or scholarly study of the scriptures, for we lack the proper tools for such study—knowledge of the original languages, historical knowledge, understanding of literary forms, intentions of various authors, and so on. This kind of study is for well educated and spiritually sensitive scholars. We everyday Christians, on the other hand, are reading these passages to allow ourselves to be read by God, to be scrutinized, to let the light of divine wisdom shine into our souls. Such reading is done slowly, quietly, either alone or with a close friend, and must be immersed in prayer. If one is not listening by the holy Spirit for the silent Word in and through the words, one cannot read any Scriptures—Hebrew, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist—with understanding. Again: In reading a spiritual work, one must allow oneself to be read, to be searched, to be opened up to the presence of God. To read the Scriptures prayerfully is to share in the mystery of God unfolding in time—here and now.
How is this done? By asking for divine assistance, and then reading the words slowly and thoughtfully, questioning, thinking, seeking to understanding, letting oneself be confronted by divine judgment. For example, today at Mass we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son. I suspect few of our parishioners have ever bothered to read this remarkable story on their own, at home. Sadly, our people do not make the effort to become spiritually nourished. This is the “famine for the Word” of which Amos wrote; our culture has low interest in things of the Spirit. But if one makes the effort prayerfully and thoughtfully to study the masterful story of the two sons, one may discover that he or she is the prodigal son, and the elder brother, and perhaps at times, the merciful father. One must face the fact that one needs to “come to his senses” and turn around and return. The reader is forced to examine the ways in which one envies others for their spiritual and material blessings. And one gains insight into the God of Jesus Christ, for this parable presents Jesus’ image of God. Every word chosen by the evangelist Luke is rich in life-giving nourishment, if one but slowly reads and patiently attends—and takes the words to heart. Spiritual reading takes work, and many do not want to take the effort.
Our reading assignment for this week: The Book of Exodus, chapters 11-15, the account of the 10th plague, Passover, and the Exodus event. Also, please remember to do our common Lenten practices which I have urged on all of us: (1) Sit or walk in silence daily; (2) Prayerfully read Scripture daily; (3) Attend an additional Mass weekly (and Stations of the Cross); 4) Visit our elderly or shut-ins.
“May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD let his face shine upon you; may the LORD look upon you with kindness and give you peace.” Shalom!
