- 1st Reading – Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
- 2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:12-30
- Gospel – Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21
How many people here like to read? Those of us who do probably have fond memories of being read to when we were little. I know I do. Therefore, we probably read to our children when they were little, and then now to our grandkids. We learn from an early age that reading is good, that reading nourishes and feeds our mind. The question is—- what we read. By choosing what we read, we choose how we feed and nourish our mind. Do we read books that are helpful and uplifting? Do we protect our minds by not reading some things?
The best nourishment for our minds is, of course, the Bible. That’s why in our first reading today from Nehemiah we heard the priest, Ezra, read “The Law”, that is—-the Torah, or the first five books of the Old Testament. He read to the whole Jewish community, all that were of age. And as it says, “They listened attentively”. Can you imagine that the whole books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy? We come here on Sunday mornings and listen to three short readings, just a handful of verses.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus read from the scriptures in the synagogue in Nazareth. Scripture is the Word of God, and is, therefore, the most nourishing food for our minds. That’s why we read Holy Scripture every time we assemble here, whether for Mass or a communion service or any other kind of liturgy.
Sometimes we forget how precious the Word of God really is. In a document from Vatican II, Dei Verbum, we are told, “The Church has always venerated the scriptures, equally as she venerates the Lord’s body.” So, do we venerate the presence of Jesus in the Bible? A quote from a priest in the third century expressed it like this, “You receive the Body of the Lord with special care and reverence, lest the smallest crumb of the consecrated gift fall to the floor. You should receive the Word of God with equal care and reverence, lest the smallest word of it fall to the floor and be lost.” That reminds us that in every celebration of the Eucharist, there is both a Liturgy of the Eucharist, and a Liturgy of the Word. We have the opportunity to hear the Word of God every time we come here.
I challenge each of you to go home every Sunday with some idea from the scripture readings, or the explanation in the homily, and ask yourselves, what is the Lord saying to you when you hear these readings proclaimed and explained? If we don’t look for, or listen to what the Lord is saying, it should be no surprise if we don’t hear the Lord. Those of you who proclaim the Word of God have a privileged duty. The Church teaches that when Sacred Scripture is proclaimed, it is Christ himself who is speaking. So, lectors need to prepare well, and allow Christ to speak through them to the rest of us. Remember that Jesus is using your voice to talk to the rest of us.
We also hear the Word of God by reading the Bible in our own homes. We should try to nourish our minds every day by reading Sacred Scripture for at least a few minutes. Everyone should spend a short time every day in prayer, so why not read a short passage from the Bible as well; then think about it and what it means to you. Open your Bible, and maybe light a candle as a sign of the presence of Christ. When you’re not reading it, keep your Bible in a prominent place in your home, as a reminder of the presence of the Word of God.
We should nourish our minds every day with the Bible. The Word of God brings healing and helps us cope with life’s problems. We may not find an answer to every problem, but it certainly brings us peace. Let us receive the word of God with care lest the smallest word of it fall to the floor and be lost.