This week we return to School. No matter whether we are still in our years
of formal education or how long it has been since we have sat behind a desk,
this time of year reminds us that we are all meant to be learners. “Learn something new every day.” An active use of the mind for increasing
knowledge is one of the keys to keeping ourselves alert. Memory functions best when we consciously use
it.
God has invited us not only to a
life-long learning about the things of the world, but also to a deepened
understanding of how He works in time and in Eternity. Can you hear “what the Spirit is saying to
the Churches”? Are you listening with
your heart to God’s gentle, but insistent voice? Something New is being proposed among us that
will make all the difference. While the
rest of the world goes along on its effort to exist without God, we are being
called individually and collectively to draw nearer to Him and to be part of
what He intends to accomplish in our world by His Grace.
I hear the call in the enthusiasm of
our Youth Group who are seeking to start a Revolution. I hear it in the call of Pope Francis for us
all to stretch our willingness to seek out those who are marginalized and left
out of our usual daily routine. I hear
it in the zeal of our catechists for the Good Shepherd. I hear it in the willingness of so many to
learn a new way of understanding what it means to be Church in the 21st
Century. I hear it in the growing
awareness of the teaching of Christ the Good Shepherd and the call to a
conversion that allows our Faith to become central to all we do and all we are
as members of His Flock.
As the new academic year begins, I
invite you to make three decisions:
First, commit to giving God and Prayer
a greater place in your life. Move your
active practice of the Faith up in your list of priorities. If you do not already make attendance at
Sunday Mass a non-negotiable for yourself and your family, then do so. Nothing else is more important that teaching
your children to keep God and Eternity in their view.
Second, resolve to learn something
about the Faith by a use of the many means available: read the Catechism,
listen to CDs or watch DVDs that teach the Faith, or become part of a small
Faith-sharing group. Get involved in
the various activities sponsored by the parish organizations that allow for
deeper reflection on what it means to be a follower of Christ.
Third, choose a form of outreach,
where you “put your Faith into practice” in some concrete way that “costs” you
personally – not necessarily financially, but as a witness to Faith. If you have children at home, involve them in
this effort so that they see that Faith is more than going to Church or sitting
in a classroom. If you are not already
committed to Stewardship and Tithing of Time, Talent and Treasure in the life
of the parish, then take a step toward this.
Welcome back to all involved in the
Educational enterprise. May this year
unfold as a time of grace for all of us!
Year of Faith October
11, 2012 – November 24, 2013
We continue our journey through the Year
of Faith. As one way of observing
this year, each week a small section of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church is read before the start of Mass.
ARTICLE 3 SACRED SCRIPTURE IN BRIEF
134 All Sacred Scripture is but
one book, and this one book is Christ, “because all divine Scripture speaks of
Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ” (Hugh of St. Victor, De
arca Noe 2, 8: PL 176, 642: cf. ibid. 2, 9: PL 176, 642-643).
135 “The Sacred Scriptures
contain the Word of God and, because they are inspired they are truly the Word
of God” (DV 24).
136 God is the author of Sacred
Scripture because he inspired its human authors; he acts in them and by means
of them. He thus gives assurance that their writings teach without error his
saving truth (cf. DV 11).
137 Interpretation of the
inspired Scripture must be attentive above all to what God wants to reveal
through the sacred authors for our salvation. What comes from the Spirit is not
fully “understood except by the Spirit’s action” (cf. Origen, Hom. in Ex.
4, 5: PG 12, 320).
138 The Church accepts and
venerates as inspired the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the
New.
139 The four Gospels occupy a
central place because Christ Jesus is their center.
140 The unity of the two
Testaments proceeds from the unity of God’s plan and his Revelation. The Old
Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfills the Old; the two
shed light on each other; both are true Word of God.
141 “The Church has always
venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord” (DV
21): both nourish and govern the whole Christian life. “Your word is a lamp to
my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105; cf. Isa 50:4).
Comment: The
Catholic Church lives the Word of God.
The Sacred Scriptures are our inspiration and they offer guidance for
every generation. They allow us access
to the voice of God speaking to us as His People. How are you growing in your appreciation for
and understanding of the Bible?
‘If you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love
them.’ (Luke 6:32)
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