Alive in Christ
A Weekly Reflection on Faith, Prayer, and Life from Christ Our Pascha
Week 6
Make Room for God's Word
A few quiet minutes with Scripture can help us know Christ and follow him with love.
Begin with a little time
There is often something asking for our attention before the day has properly begun. A message arrives, a child needs help, or work starts to fill our thoughts.
By evening, we may long for quiet and still feel unsure how to pray. Opening the Bible can seem like one more thing we ought to do.
Yet Scripture is a gift we are invited to receive with faith. The catechism speaks of that gift in words meant for each of us:
From Christ Our Pascha
“Holy Scripture is the Word of God addressed to every human being.”
From Christ Our Pascha, paragraph 38, printed page 23.
That includes someone returning to prayer and someone opening a Bible for the first time. It includes the reader who has questions and the reader who feels tired.
We can begin with a little time and a heart willing to listen. We can ask Christ to help us know him through the words we read.
A gift from God, spoken in human words
The catechism teaches that the Scriptures were written under the Holy Spirit's guidance. The Church receives and preserves these books as the word of God.
They come to us through human language and the lives of their human writers. The books use different ways of writing, including story, prayer, and poetry.
Reading with care helps us understand what a passage means within the whole Bible. The Old and New Testaments belong together in God's one saving plan.
The Church reads them in the light of Christ, who brings that plan to fullness. We can grow in understanding as we listen, ask questions, and return to prayer.
We do not need to settle every question in a single sitting. We can receive the help of the Church as we keep learning to listen.
We have help along the way
The catechism recalls a traveler who was reading the prophet Isaiah without understanding the passage. Philip came beside him and explained how the words pointed toward Jesus Christ.
With that help, the traveler came to faith in Christ and received Baptism. The story reminds us that receiving help belongs within the life of faith.
We hear Scripture at Divine Liturgy and receive guidance through the homily. The Church's prayers also help us recognize the saving work of Christ throughout the Bible.
At home, we can bring a difficult passage to our priest or a trained catechist. We can ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we read with the Church.
God gives us companions for this way of listening and growing in faith. We can welcome their help without feeling ashamed of what we still need to learn.
Make room in an ordinary day
The catechism shares this counsel from Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky about reading Scripture:
From Christ Our Pascha
“Reading Holy Scripture every day, even for a brief moment, should become the custom of every Christian family.”
Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, quoted in Christ Our Pascha, paragraph 46, printed page 25.
Imagine setting aside your phone for a few minutes before the day's next task. You read a short Gospel passage slowly, then read it once more with care.
You notice what it reveals about Jesus and bring your response before him. A question may remain, or the reading may help you see a needed change.
Later, you try to carry that prayer into the way you treat someone. You may offer patience, seek forgiveness, or give another person your full attention.
Some days, the reading will feel clear, while other days will take more effort. A small, steady habit gives us room to keep receiving God's word with faith.
Hold on to this
Holy Scripture is God's word, offered to every person who comes to listen.
The Church helps us understand the Bible and recognize Christ within its pages.
Even a brief time of faithful reading can become part of daily prayer.
Take a quiet moment
Sit for a moment and bring your busy or tired thoughts before God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive his word with faith.
Read the first quote again, slowly, and consider the welcome it holds. You are among the people to whom God has addressed his word.
A small beginning this week
Read the Gospel passage for your next Divine Liturgy before you attend. Give it a few quiet minutes, then listen closely when it is proclaimed.
Keep one question or insight in mind as you hear the homily. Let the Church's prayer help you carry the reading into your week.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus Christ, help us make room for your word in our daily lives. Send your Holy Spirit to guide our reading and open our hearts to your truth. Give us patience with our questions and humble hearts to receive your Church's help. Teach us to follow you with love in the choices we make today. Amen.
An original prayer written for this reflection.
Read and look ahead
From the book: Christ Our Pascha, English edition, 2016, paragraphs 38-50, printed pages 22-26. The story of Philip and the traveler appears in paragraph 47, printed page 25.
Next week: We will reflect on sharing the faith through our families and parish life.
