POPE FRANCIS: On the importance of the Word of God: the NEW Apostolic Letter for the 1600th anniversary of the death of Saint Jerome. - Read
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said that Sacred Scripture (the Bible) is not something of the past. The Lord speaks to us today, in the present. The Lord enlightens us, the Lord shows us the way through life. St Francis remarked that to read Sacred Scripture is to turn to Christ for advice. To be a Christian means to unite oneself more and more with Christ. Saint Richard of Chichester's famous prayer says it simply: 'Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us, for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us. Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.' "He who has ears, let him hear.” (Mt.13:9) Our bible, especially the Gospels, is a meeting-place between the Risen Christ and ourselves. When we are attentive to the words of Holy Scripture, God 'speaks' to us, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and minds to the word of the Lord. Christ Jesus becomes flesh in us, so that we might begin anew his life and live the Good News in a new place and time in a new human setting. "I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
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