The Bible: A Treasure From The Lord

The Bible as we have it came to us over many centuries. For the early Church, the Scriptures were what we know as the Old Testament – those writings known to the Jews as “the Law and the Prophets.” Then, after the death and resurrection of Christ, and after the great event of Pentecost, the words of Jesus were written down, along with an account of His earthly ministry. These Gospel accounts were circulated around the Church so that people could hear for themselves what Our Lord had done and what He had taught. As events unfolded during the early years of the Church, so that its history was recorded, and as local churches were founded, there were letters written to these early communities – letters which contained teachings which reflected Christ’s own teaching – and soon some of these Christian writings were understood as being Scripture in the same sense as the Jewish scriptures were. Over the years, the Church discerned that there was a power in some of these written words – power which comes from God Himself – and this power – this “inspiration” – is a guarantee of truth. Through the inspiration of God Himself, He caused His word to be written down, and because of this, the Bible comes to us with certain unique properties, unique powers.

It comes to us with the power of tradition. We know, from our human experience, how words and sayings that are handed down from one generation to another by word of mouth have a tendency to become altered, or added to, or diminished. To protect His word from this, God caused His word to be written down. He entrusted the custody of His written word first to the Jews, and then to the Catholic Church. It was to His own people that He delivered this written word, and so the Bible comes to us with a power which no other book possesses. No other book has been witnessed to as being true, and guarded, and handed on from generation to generation, as this has. Other books may lay claim to truth, but this is the only one that can certainly known to be what it claims to be. God has caused His word to be written for our learning, and He has caused His Holy Catholic Church to be the witness and keeper of it, allowing us to know for certain that we are not reading myths or fables, but rather, we have the living and active word of God.

Also, the Bible comes to us with the power of prophecy. It’s full of the history of the ages, certainly – but not just of past ages. It tells us of the present and the future as well. And we can be certain that it contains all of God’s promises of salvation through Jesus Christ, and all of God’s warnings of the punishment that is due to sin. It tells us of how all the consequences of our actions, whether good or bad – will be fulfilled. This is the great power of prophecy – the “foretelling” of what God will do, and the “forthtelling” of all His truth.

The Bible also comes to us with the power of edification – that is, the power of building us up in all that is holy and pure and just and true. Parts of the Bible may be difficult for some people to understand, but certainly no one – however unlearned they may be – has ever yet studied it prayerfully and humbly, without finding that it did them tremendous good, and built them up in faith and love. Can this be said about any other book? Does any other book adapt itself so readily to our needs and circumstances, no matter what our condition, as does the Bible? In our sorrows, it says, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted…” In our loneliness, it reminds us of Christ’s words, when He said, “You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you…” When we seem overwhelmed by sin, we’re told “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…” When we feel despondent, our spirits are lifted with the promise that “heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning…” And so it is, in every circumstance and situation.

So as we see, there is great power and wisdom and strength which comes to us through the pages of Scripture. But how should we use it? What’s the best practical approach for us? First of all, we should read a little of it every day. Praying the Daily Office with its lectionary gives an ordered way of reading through the Old and New Testaments. For those who attend daily Mass, they are able to hear portions of God’s word every day in the context of the Holy Sacrifice. Perhaps you might tackle one of the Gospels, or an epistle, reading a chapter at a time. Whatever system you decide to use, decide something. Too many people who profess the Faith, still keep the Bible as a closed book, as though it is some rare treasure to be looked at, and not used. It’s a good thing to read at least a few verses each day, and keep them in our minds throughout the day so that we have at least those holy thoughts to carry us through the day.

Also, to use the Bible properly, we must read it with the definite desire to hear God’s voice speaking to us, and with the definite intention of hearing His voice as He speaks to us through His word. We’ve got to read it in a humble spirit – not approaching the Bible with our minds prejudiced, or coming to it only so that we can find some confirmation for our own theories and practices, but simply saying, “Lord, what do you want me to learn and do?” There is truth on every page. Remember – even the most eloquent sermon is only the voice of man; but even the simplest verse of Scripture is the voice of God.

Also, in order to gain what we should from the reading of Scripture, we must prepare our hearts and minds by prayer. If we just read it like any other book, we’ll gain little instruction, we’ll learn few lessons, we’ll find sparse comfort. But if we ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding and to direct our hearts, each time we read the Bible we’ll realize more and more that it is, in the words of the Psalmist, “a lantern unto our feet, and a light unto our path.”

There are all sorts of books that claim to have answers to our deepest needs, with the key to our greatest happiness. But those are false promises. The Bible is the best book for guidance; it is the best source of devotion; it is the best guide for spiritual growth. In it, we find the most beautiful prayers and the most solid truths, answering our every need, and hallowed by the use of the saints throughout the ages. Don’t be perplexed because there are some things in the Bible you cannot readily understand. Rather, take care that you put into practice all those things that you do understand.

And above all – when you read the Bible, see Jesus Christ, Perfect Man and True God, within its pages. Come to know the work that He accomplished, and the example that He gives us, and praise Him for what He has done for us, and copy the pattern which His own holy life has set. And remember, that we read of Jesus Christ not only in the New Testament, but also in the Old. The Old Testament is full of the presence of the Incarnate Word. The holy men and women whose lives are recorded there are all foreshadowings of the sanctifying grace that was to come through Christ. The sacrifices of the old covenant are types and pictures of Christ, who is the one truth and who is the perfect sacrifice upon the cross. Israel looks forward to Christ’s Holy Catholic Church, and the striving of others in past ages to know God speaks of our own hunger for Him. Use the Bible, and value it as the great “Book of books,” containing the Word of God – because when we believe its truth, we receive the very light of Christ Himself.

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Painting: "Still Life With Bible"

by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)