Reflection on Sacred Scripture

Sacred Scripture is a collection of ancient writings that Christians believe are inspired by God to reveal Him
to us. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the many different individual human authors of the
Sacred Scriptures. All Scripture reveals truth, but not all in the same way; some reveals actual history, but
others reveal theological, moral, metaphysical or metaphorical truths. Scripture is called “the Word of God”
because the Holy Spirit inspires and reveals God Himself in an utterly unique and irreplaceable way.

The Scriptures are divided into individual books. The books written prior to Christ are known as the Old
Testament and the books written about Jesus Christ are known as the New Testament.

The message of the Old Testament is that God created the world and has a plan for it through the People of
Israel. Specifically, God plans to save the world from sin and death.

The message of the New Testament is that God has saved the world through His Son, Jesus Christ.

It is important to understand that the Bible was developed over two thousand years and that it was written by
many authors and edited over the centuries until it finally became codified by early Christians. Despite it’s
long development and the many hands that went into it, the Holy Spirit was present, revealing God in and
through the authors and editors.

The Catholic Church, in it’s earliest days, collected, codified and interpreted the Scriptures from among
numerous ancient spiritual writings. The Scriptures began to be venerated because they were seen as authentic
revelations of God.

Some Christians err in reading the Scriptures by thinking that the Bible is a history or science book and other
Christians err by thinking it is only a collection of myths or moral codes. The Catholic Church resists these
two extremes and asserts that Sacred Scripture is the revelation of the Hidden God. God shares truths about
Himself through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and His interaction with human authors, who express these
truths through a variety of means.

The study of Scripture is very important. Though comprehending the meaning of ancient words, geography
of ancient lands, and familiarity with ancient cultures, one’s understanding of Sacred Scripture is enlightened
and enriched. Yet, even if one lacks these things, Scripture provides simple and clear messages for all who
read it.

St. Jerome says, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” But Christ says, “Seek and you shall find.”
If one begins reading Scripture, it will enflame their heart to know Jesus, love Him, and serve Him and it will
lead one to be happy with Him forever in heaven.

Questions for reflection:

Do I listen to the Sacred Scripture as it is read at Holy Mass?
Do I take time to reflect on Scripture’s meaning in my life?
Do I seek wisdom from the Word of God?