Truth, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished dictation.
Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, would he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways, without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes are reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we are simply to read and pass by.

If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation of being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the Saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose. (#5 from “The Imitation of Christ”)
Humility in front of God is one of the greatest things we can learn in our life as a disciple, a Christian, a child of God. the above quote from “The Imitation of Christ” reminds us of this very important and central part of our pilgrim journey.
Don’t be afraid of simplicity. St. Augustine described in his “Confessions” how in his early reading of Sacred Scripture he found it lacking because of the crude nature and blunt pronouncements without the beauty of the poetry and other writings of the day. We can often miss the central message be trying to find more in a biblical phrase or story than God wants us to hear at the moment. I fall into this temptation often as I prepare my homily by saying to myself, “I hear you God, but that doesn’t seem to be the message I want to say.” In truth each time I read a passage of Sacred Scripture God reveals more to me and reminds me of his whisper of love and hope. Choosing to sit with the Word of God and allow it to speak to me rather than I dictating my desire is a lesson relearned over and over again. What God says to us is just that.
Don’t judge the book by the cover. I have many copies of the Bible in my office and in my rooms. Some have very sentimental attachments and some were gifts and others I have used and worked with for many years. Some are very beautifully bound and others the covers are falling off because of use. But when you open them, it is the same Word of God. In “The Imitation of Christ” we are reminded that we are to know the Word of God so that we may hear the his word whether it be from someone who looks impressive or someone who looks much less impressive because both can and do proclaim God, just as the opposite is also true more times than we can count. This is why it is important to immerse our lives in Sacred Scripture. To pray with, to sit with and to search within our hearts the mission and vocation God has given to us in the world.
Today is built on yesterday. We often get caught up in the latest fashion of the days. My high school pictures will attest to the reality that I grew up in the late 70’s and my clothing choices often reflected this truth. But it also is part of who I am. The mission of the Catholic Church is going on two thousand years and remains the same. The invitation to Jesus to follow him remains the same. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church remains the same. Knowing our history and listening to the fathers and mothers of the Church are important and life giving. Because we are not building on solely the institution but we are building a relationship with the Most Holy Trinity. It is like a husband and wife whose relationship is built on years and years of joys and sorrows, on sins and blessings, on hopes, disappointments and dreams and is build on mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. All of these moments contribute to the totality of who they are as individuals and who they are as the Sacrament of love and to remove any one part of this story would lessen the grace now present in their lives.
All of this is just the beginning. Trust, hope and live in the grace of God’s blessing.
God Bless
Fr. Mark