For Wisdom Folks Miss Because They Think Reading The Bible Is Lame

Wait. Who said reading the Bible is lame?

Well, I can’t really say for sure. It just seems like it’s not done in the Catholic church, you know, apart from hearing the readings at Mass. This is one of the reasons why we can go on and on about “religious education,” but folks are still clueless and confused about things as rudimentary as understanding that John the Baptist didn’t write the Gospel of John (or any other book in the New Testament).

“Yeah, yeah,” you say. “Leave it to a former Protestant to bang the obvious drum that ‘Catholics don’t read the Bible.'”

I wouldn’t, you know, except for the fact that it’s true for the majority of Catholics. And we wonder why folks don’t seem to have a personal relationship with our Triune God? His inspired words are right there waiting to be tapped into, but instead of letting God speak to us through the scriptures, folks would rather watch Scott Hahn flipping through the Bible during one of his talks, and beam with Catholic pride.

Weird.

“But Frank, there is no time for me to read the Bible. Besides, where would I even start?”

Here’s three examples of the treasures that can be mined in the scriptures in less than 1 minute a day.

Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments. —Romans 13:8,10

Be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to rouse your temper; God’s righteousness is never served by man’s anger. Nobody must imagine that he is religious while he still goes on deceiving himself and not keeping control over his tongue; anyone who does this has the wrong idea of religion. —James 1:19-20,26

You must be scrupulously careful as long as you are living away from your home. Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ. —1 Peter 1:17,18,19

Go ahead. Time yourself reading those verses. Dried up the excuse well pretty quick, eh?

I found those verses not by searching the scriptures diligently, but by riding on the shoulders of giants who did. You can do the same, via the wonders of the internet site for the Liturgy of the Hours. I like Universalis, personally, and there are apps for your smart phone, etc.

Know what else? Keep flipping through the pages of the scriptures enough, and next thing you know you’ll figure out that Catholic doctrines are rooted in them.

Oh my. We can’t have that!

Nowadays, see, your sword can be carried in your phone. It’s never been easier.

“Sword? What are you talking about, man?”

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. —Hebrews 4:12

Question: What kind of swordsman doesn’t know how to use a sword and never trains with it either?

Answer: A dead one.

Snap out of it. Don’t be a zombie when it comes to the Bible. Read it. Bonus: It’s easier to listen to God when you’re reading his love letters to you.