“What are you saying, man? That attending to the Scriptures is not for you, since you are surrounded by a multitude of cares?”
-St. John Chrysostom
To put it as plainly as possible: Living the Christian life without reading Scripture is impossible. There is no reason, no excuse, no explanation sufficient to free oneself from the responsibility to read the Bible regularly—no matter who you are and no matter what you do. St. Chrysostom, whom I quoted above, even said it’s necessary for salvation. Think about that.
It is almost a miracle, the understanding that comes from reading Scripture. So easily is confusion clarified, divisions of soul dissolved, grace given: all in the simple act of reading the Bible. So much misunderstanding and rancor, personally and in the Church, would simply cease if we’d just try to read the Bible more. More and more I’m convinced of it; putting aside all the gimmicks and programs and arguments, by simply reading the Bible, light would break upon our lives, our Church, and our world. It amazes me how simple it is, yet how so many Catholics refuse it. Common Catholic aversion to reading the Bible, I have come to believe, is the one of the greatest ills of the Church today.
To understand, to come to peace, to be better Christians, we must put ourselves in the position Luke describes. Our hearts must burn with desire as we seek truth in Scripture, and we must allow the Lord to open our minds (Lk. 24:32, 45). That’s the promise: the simple assurance that opening your Bible and simply reading it will be rewarded, that we will be enlightened. All we need to bring is desire and a little effort. It is God who will give you understanding; you simply must begin reading. So, don’t wait for an invitation. Don’t worry about joining a Bible study (although that’s a wonderful thing to do!). Just start reading! You’ll be amazed what’ll happen! And, by the way, what else is there to do while we’re staying at home?
Cooperate with Easter grace! Respond! Because you can still live Catholic life to the full—if for a season not at the Altar, at least in your heart and in Scripture, which is not locked up!
