This weekend, with Labor Day being celebrated, we traditionally end summer and begin our journey towards winter with the fall months upon us. It is a time where we wrap up the last things of summer and look back to see if we have “accomplished” all we wished to do during this time a slowing down, vacationing and warm weather. One of the traditional practices of summer was to read a book, especially for vacation. I remember hearing and reading about what are the best summer reads, those books for the days at the beach or just lazing around the pool. Normally these books weren’t heavy reading but were rather light or exciting and certainly the description of “it’s a page turner” was important.
As we have been covering Pope Benedict’s Wednesday Audiences from the May to August of 2011where he has been discussing prayer, today we look at the final talks where, as he is on vacation at Castel Gandolfo, we see the fruits of the journey of prayer. Pope Benedict tells us “I would therefore like to make a suggestion: why not discover some of the books of the Bible which are not commonly well known? Or those from which we heard certain passages in the liturgy but which we never read in their entirety?” (from General Audience, 3 August 2011)
Two quick examples…When I was a sixth grade teacher our religion curriculum call for us to study the Old Testament because as we study ancient civilizations in Social Studies this was a wonderful way to support this academic learning. During the course of my teaching I discovered the Book of Tobit. I had heard of the book and had read some short snippets or heard them in Mass from time to time but never the whole book. And much to the joy of my sixth grade students, especially the boys, the story of bird droppings falling into Tobit’s eyes that blinded him and leads to the rest of the story of depending upon God was a great hit. (Tobit 2:9-14) Taking time with the students to not just read the famous parts but also the whole book gave each of us a greater appreciation for the story of God’s goodness and love.
Secondly, a few years ago on my yearly priest retreat the retreat master suggested we read the Gospel of Mark from beginning to end as a form of prayer meditation, It had been years since I looked at the Gospel as one complete word proclaimed by Jesus to us. The connections missed in hearing only the snippets at Mass and the readings done out of sequence began to be filled in as I slowly read and then reread the Gospel several times.
Whether it is a book of the Bible that we are unfamiliar with like the Book of Tobit or another we have heard many times, such as The Gospel of Mark, the fruitfulness of this adventure will be bountiful as we pray with the word of God.
Try not to over analyze as you read and pray Sacred Scripture. There is a time and place for that but in reading and praying truly allow the breath of the Holy Spirit to fill your hearts and minds. You may also want to read the book of the Bible aloud as a family, sharing the good news together that can prompt discussions. Most of the books are short and easy to read in one sitting, for those longer books, set a timer and when it buzzes finish the part where you are at and then pick it up again the next time and continue.
Lastly, if you are interested in the commentary and explanations of Sacred Scripture simply buy a Catholic Study Bible which will give those nuggets of information that often help us to understand the fullness of God’s message to his people.
May you all be blessed with a peaceful and holy Labor Day weekend.
God bless
Fr. Mark.