Encountering the power and beauty of the Sacred Scriptures: Catholics celebrate the recently instituted Sunday of the Word of God
The following article by Rev Justin Stanwix was published by La Croix International on 23 January 2021.
A major new Sunday celebration awaits Catholics this year.
It will be a reminder that after 55 years, Dei Verbum — the document on Divine Revelation that the Second Vatican Council issued in November 1965 — remains alive and well!
But even more so, that the Sacred Scriptures are still alive, even after thousands of years.
That’s what most Catholic parishes around the world will testify to this weekend when they celebrate “Sunday of the Word of God”.
Those of us in Australia, currently on summer holidays, will do so on February 7.
Pope Francis fittingly announced the establishment of Word of God Sunday on September 30, 2019 — the liturgical feast day and 1600th anniversary of the death of Saint Jerome. The pope said he wanted to set aside
“a Sunday given over entirely to the Word of God, so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people”.
“He opened their minds…”
The apostolic letter he issued to inaugurate this special Sunday is called Aperuit illis — “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk 24, 45).
Francis commences his discussion by referring to one of the last statements the Risen Lord made before his Ascension into heaven. It’s the compelling story of Jesus suddenly appearing to two rather despondent disciples who are on the road to Emmaus.
Jesus also walked with them along that road and, without distracting the conversation, did not immediately disclose his identity. Instead, he conversed with them about the recent events in Jerusalem.
Recognizing their sadness of heart at the extraordinary events of the past days, during which they had seen their Lord and Master condemned to death and crucified on a cross, Jesus reminded them that the Messiah had to suffer and die, just as it was written, just as their Jewish scriptures foretold.
“He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” Luke tells us.
A uniquely beautiful account and source of deep meditation
They were of course amazed by the conversation and invited the apparent stranger to join them at their proposed lodgings.
As they shared a meal together the two disciples recognized with incredulity that they were in the presence of their Risen Lord. Unsurprisingly, they reversed their plans and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples what had occurred.
It is a uniquely beautiful account and the source of deep meditation.
Why were they so despondent as they walked that road? Did they not know that Jesus had to suffer and die? How come they did not immediately recognize Jesus with whom they had spent so much time? What happened at that meal that enabled them to see they were talking with the Risen Lord?
Imagine the speed and determination of their journey back to Jerusalem and the excited fervor with which they would have unfolded the drama to their fellow disciples.
Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus appeared to the assembled disciples, including his mother and his apostles. He broke bread with them and opened their minds to the understanding of the sacred Scriptures.
They were in fear and bewilderment as Jesus unveiled the meaning of the paschal mystery: that in accordance with the Father’s eternal plan he had to suffer and rise from the dead, in order to bring repentance and the forgiveness of sins (cf. Lk 24:26.46-47).
Jesus then promised that the Holy Spirit would follow, who would give them strength to be witnesses of this saving mystery (cf. Lk 24:49).
“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”
“The relationship between the Risen Lord, the community of believers, and sacred Scripture is essential to our identity as Christians. Without the Lord who opens our minds to them, it is impossible to understand the Scriptures in depth,” the Pope explains in Aperuit illis.
“Yet the contrary is equally true: without the Scriptures, the events of the mission of Jesus and of his Church in this world would remain incomprehensible,” he points out.
Francis says this is why Saint Jerome (d. 420 AD) could rightly claim that “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”.
What a very sobering thought!
Catholics often lament that we do not know the Bible as well as other Christians. Or that we have less understanding and basic knowledge of Scripture than they.
While this may still be true to a great extent, huge strides towards biblical literacy have been made in the wake of Vatican II.
It is probably the case for many of us that we do not read, study or pray the Bible often enough, and that we don’t know it as we should.
But that is changing, and significantly so, especially in those places where an increasing number of parishioners are seriously exploring and understanding the Word of God.
They are seeing the links in the readings we have all heard proclaimed for years, appreciating the continuity of the story that is possible from reading extended portions in a reading/prayer/study session.
They are appreciating that sacred Scripture is not a set of disconnected silos selectively disclosed in weekly Mass readings.
Through biblical insights, they are comprehending better the mission of Jesus and his Church.
Additionally, Catholics recognize how many Scriptural references permeate the Mass and the liturgy of the Church generally, particularly the Liturgy of the Hours; and of course, in our daily prayers.
Word of God Sunday offers a special opportunity
The Lord’s Prayer, so aptly so named, is found in the Scriptures. (Mt 6, 9-13 and Lk 11, 2-4), as is the first half of the Hail Mary (Lk 1, 27 ff).
Increasing numbers of lay people are encountering the Scriptures in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Hopefully, pastors will increasingly offer guidance in praying and opening up this Prayer of the Church to laity everywhere.
This Sunday of the Word of God is an ideal opportunity to launch or re-launch a Bible Study Group in our parishes. Participants could ideally read, study and pray with St Mark, whose gospel account is in the current liturgical season.
Many also pray using Lectio Divina at retreats, prayer gatherings and/or privately. These special encounters reflect an increasing hunger among Catholics to study the Bible in a systematic and detailed way.
Parishioners are more and more appreciating the connection between Scripture, tradition, doctrine, worship and — importantly — daily life.
The changes in our practices reflect the efforts of the Church in particular over the past 55 years since Vatican Council II. But the Word of God has always been intrinsic to our faith and liturgy.
The change to the vernacular — our own spoken language — in the liturgy, which occurred in the late 1960s, has further highlighted the importance and depth of the Word of God in our lives.
There is a special opportunity to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God and make a commitment to open and pray our Bible. It is also a reminder to include some Scripture in our daily prayer.
A practice of regularly reading the Bible may require some deliberate effort to change our patterns: to get out our Bible, buy one or go online and read it.
We certainly do not want to be found “ignorant of Christ” because we were “ignorant of Scripture“, as St. Jerome says. But the positive value of our growth in appreciation of God’s Word will be a major uplift for our faith.
We are truly blessed to have a God given opportunity to enlarge our encounter with God’s own Word — to enter into a dialogue with the Lord and better understand the mission of Jesus and his Church.
Justin Stanwix is a deacon at St Mary Star of the Sea Parish in the Diocese of Wollongong (Australia).
