Our study of Scripture

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the study of the sacred pages of Scripture “should be the very soul of sacred theology (CCC 132).” Scripture is central to our spiritual growth; we, therefore, need to be most attentive to its content and unity.

Father George Montague, a Marianist Biblical scholar, in a work entitled Reading and Study Scripture raises important questions. He begins by asking, “What am I searching for?” We too must ask ourselves this question: “What are we searching for?” Are we looking for “nice” stories about Jesus? Are we searching for the poetry of the Psalms? Are we historians who are checking to see whether or not Scripture agrees with the details we have learned through general history?

All of the above can be noted as we read Scripture. They should not, however, be the most important aspect of our study. Hopefully, through our Scriptural study, we are searching for God’s direct message to us because, although in relation to almost each book of the Bible a human author is named, ultimately the author of each is God.

An important approach to reading and coming to know the Scriptural texts is to read the actual texts before reading about them. As we read the actual texts in our personal Bibles, let us question ourselves concerning what is described. Are these texts really familiar to us? Many of them are. In a few cases, we have even gone beyond reading to reflect on them.

But then we come across one that we have not noticed before. Why not? Is it saying something to us now that did not seem important to us previously? Do we understand what it is saying to us now? Then it is helpful to have someone with whom we can discuss this experience. And hopefully this will lead us to widen our whole approach to Scripture.

Going beyond discussion with someone who is willing to help us understand, we may come to learn about scholarly scriptural help–book length scriptural commentaries which lead us through a discussion of scriptural passages. Then we have to slow down, read and reflect on the commentaries, apply the result of our reading and reflect to the scriptural text.

Is it important to us in the present state of our spiritual life? Are we willing to respond positively to it in the light of our free choice? Is there someone in our life with whom we can share this text? When we find someone who has a good understanding of scriptural texts, we should try to share with that person or persons on a regular basis.

Over a period of time, let us reflect on how we can put into practice in our ordinary lives what the text says to us. Let us ask God to open up new avenues of prayer for us in the light of scriptural teaching.