Sunday of the Word of God (January 22) - Part 1

This week we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God.  This observance was established by Pope Francis on 30 September 2019 with the motu proprio “Aperuit illis”.  The prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship at the time, Cardinal Robert Sarah, wrote in an accompanying note that the purpose of this observance is to “reawaken an awareness of the importance of Sacred Scripture for our lives as believers, beginning with its resonance in the liturgy which places us in living and permanent dialogue with God.”

It is for this reason that the fathers of the Second Vatican Council directed, in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) that the Holy Scriptures be opened more widely in the Holy Mass.  Thus, with the new Mass came an expansion of the readings proclaimed at Mass.  We went from a one-year cycle of readings to a three-year cycle of readings for Sundays and a two-year cycle for weekdays.  Also, the Old Testament was again given a regular place in the readings for Sunday masses. Between these three changes the offering of readings for proclamation at holy Mass expanded greatly.

We are blessed in this moment in history to be living at a time when the study of scripture is both encouraged by the Church and also a time in which a great many Catholic resources are available to all.  But don’t be fooled, the Church Herself has always encouraged the study of scripture.  Unfortunately, the situation of certain times and places were used very effectively by those with an agenda to put forward the view that the Church wanted to keep the scriptures out of the hands of Her sons and daughters.  Also, sadly, the attitudes and behavior of not a few priests and religious contributed to giving credence to this claim.

The official teaching of the Church, however, lays bare this lie.  From the Fathers (2-6^th centuries) to the Council of Trent (16^th Century) to the popes of the late 18^th century to today have all encouraged the reading of scripture; the only caveat being that it must be done in communion with the Church from Whom the scriptures come.

So, pick up your Bibles and READ!  But, also PRAY.  And make use of the resources now available so you may come to a greater knowledge and love of God and his love for you!