Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius June 27, 2017 Spiritual Ponderings Sacred Scripture
Here is another quote from St. Gregory about Sacred Scripture:
The Holy Bible is like a mirror before our mind’s eye. In it we see our inner face. From the Scriptures we can learn our spiritual deformities and beauties. And there too we discover the progress we are making and how far we are from perfection.
9. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth The world Bible can form an interesting acronym Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth in the English Language and this can be a helpful reminder for us that the Bible is suppose to invoke in us a response a change of attitude. If we read the Bible and do not find it calling us to change a part or life for the better then we need to reread the passage again.
This probably nowhere more evident to us then in the Sermon on the Mount and the giving of the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel (Matthew 5) Jesus sets out a series of eight statements redefining what it means to be blest or to be successful and these eight statements go against what the world tells us will lead to happiness.
10. Even the Devil Can Quote Scripture Finally when we read the Sacred Scripture it is important to once again do so in the context of the faith community the Church. We see in the Gospel stories where Jesus is tempted in the desert by the devil himself that even the devil can try to use Scripture for his own evil purpose. Therefore, Sacred Scripture needs to be read and pondered under the light of Tradition.
The following are a list of sayings that someone gave me that concern Sacred Scripture.
1. A Bible in the hand is worth two in the bookcase.
2. Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.
3. The Bible was given to us to tell us how we can get to heaven, not to tell us how the heavens work.
4. "Most people are troubled by those passages of Scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I have always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand." - Mark Twain
5. "The Devil is not afraid of the Bible that has dust on it"
6. "The new Testament is the very best book that ever was or will be known in the world." - Charles Dickens
7. “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.” ― Ronald Reagan
8. “If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.” ― Augustine of Hippo
9. “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” - Charles H. Spurgeon
10. We were given the Scriptures to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing.” ― Rich Mullins
Finally, I would like to conclude this reflection with the following prayer that someone gave me:
Our Father, who art in heaven, sacred is Your Word, Your kingdom come, Your Words be heard on earth as they are in heaven. Give us today Your Sacred Word. Forgive our neglect of it in the past as we forgive those who neglect us. Lead us toward an encounter with You each time we delve into the Scriptures. For Your presence, Your power, and Your glory are ever present among us now and forever. Amen.