[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you saying, man? That attending to the Scriptures is not for you, since you are surrounded by a multitude of cares?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

-St. John Chrysostom<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\u2014no matter who you are and no matter what you do. St. Chrysostom, whom I quoted above, even said it\u2019s necessary for salvation. Think about that.<\/p>\n

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\u2019d just try to read the Bible more. More and more I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019t wait for an invitation. Don\u2019t worry about joining a Bible study (although that\u2019s a wonderful thing to do!). Just start reading! You\u2019ll be amazed what\u2019ll happen! And, by the way, what else is there to do while we\u2019re staying at home?<\/p>\n

Cooperate with Easter grace! Respond! Because you can still live Catholic life to the full\u2014if for a season not at the Altar, at least in your heart and in Scripture, which is not locked up![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] \u201cWhat are you saying, man? That attending to the Scriptures is not for you, since you are surrounded by a multitude of cares?\u201d -St. John Chrysostom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[49,225],"yoast_head":"\n