All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching,
for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work. (2 Tm 3:16-17)
In the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, we hear at this morning’s Mass about the importance of scripture.
Yikes.
I am well aware that this reflection is being sent out via email to a bunch of Catholics, so I repeat: scripture is important!
I know, we can all chuckle at that. However, it is well known that Catholics, by and large, do not do two things: we do not have a rich tradition of singing at worship and we do not read the Bible.
Christians of all sorts of other denominations read the scriptures on a regular basis. They are well versed on sacred scripture. Sadly, they often miss the mark even though they read much more than us.
For so many Christians who read the scriptures, they pick and choose the verses they use in order to do verbal battle with others or to win their point in discussing with others. They pick and choose scripture to “prove” to others Christians (including Catholics) why those other people are doomed to hell, are wrong in their beliefs, et cetera.
Paul tells us that “all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness”; however, scripture should never be used as a weapon or to belittle.
Scripture, properly used, properly meditated upon, can build up the Christian and make that Christian into a much better person. Scripture, ill used, makes the “Christian” look like a phony, like a charlatan.
Scripture is important to all believers. As with everything else that is important, it should be used and not abused.
FAITH ACTION: Doesn’t matter what it is today: Old Testament or New. Gospel or Epistles. Psalms or Lamentations. Spend a half hour reading from the Bible today. Before doing so, ask God to open your mind and your heart to what you are about to read.