The Bible and it's importance to us

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Today, the Scriptural text of the words of Jesus stating to the affect of forgiving them for they do no know what they do came to me and a figured it out some what. When one lives in a chaotic non-Christian home many of the family members run on power, aggression and un forgiveness so confusion and people getting hurt transpires. One as a Catholic can see the areas that are wrong do in part to reading Scriptures regularly. The hard part is countering all this negative and hostility with kindness and understanding. It can be a slow process so we need to keep asking the Lord for peace of heart:heart: and knowledge and Wisdom in handling tough situations.🙂
 
In todays readings of the Mass there was a reading about children and at the time I didn’t think twice about it. As I spent the rest of the Sunday reading Scriptures at a nearby park, at the kids playground I saw many children at the jungle gym having fun. As the scripture came back to me I saw many tiny and young children playing with absolute no worries in the world. Their only mission in life was to enjoy life and play to their hearts desire. When they tired they went back to their mothers and got refreshed and out they went to play. I feel that todays reading was meant for us in this same manner. We are to have absolute trust in God and enjoy all the beautiful things that come from him. Occasionally we too need to be recharged and refreshed when we fall off track and once again find that joy that is only found in God.
 
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I have tried Lectio Divina but I am easily distracted in general. I seem to have a short attention span, that or I’m just usually too exhausted to concentrate.

I don’t know if I have a favorite Bible (or Bible translation) per se. Currently I use the RSV:Second Catholic Edition for personal reading. I also like the Jerusalem Bible. I’m thinking about using the Confraternity Douay-Rheims Bible and possibly KJV despite the archaic-sounding English. I usually don’t restrict myself to one translation as some other people do.

Currently I am reading through the OT (at 2 Chronicles and Psalms) the first time and re-reading the New Testament again a second time (at Romans now). It can be difficult getting through the OT and even the NT. I am hoping the study materials I receive from the Catholic Home Study Service help me to get a better grasp at understanding how Catholics view the Bible. Reading it is one thing, living it is far harder for me.
Lectio Divina, like other times of prayer, should (ideally) be of the “first fruits” of our time–when we are most alert and focused. It may be that you need more preparation–especially simplicity of life to free up some time for God and for your spiritual nourishment. Remove what gets in the way of God! If you need rest, that may have to come first–but don’t neglect Lectio, even if you have only 10 minutes to do it regularly. It’s not so much about the quantity of time as the focus and consistency.

It can also help to schedule in a consistent time for prayer and Lectio. That helps our spirit to get ready–much as we sleep better and more quickly if we prepare for bed about the same time every or most nights. Similarly, it helps to set up a shrine or oratory in our home–even if it’s just a corner with a chair, our Bible, and perhaps an icon or religious picture, or a candle to light. That serves many purposes: as a reminder of prayer each time we pass it or see it, as a ritual element to get us “in the mood” when we go there, plus the effort put into establishing it tells us this is an important, even essential, part of our life.

In general, Lectio Divina is to read in depth–don’t try to get a certain amount read each day, but read a brief passage and let it speak to you. It may take ten years, or more, to get through the full Bible. So what? Better to take the time and dwell with God and listen to God’s Word speaking in your life than to hurry through like a tourist and miss the wonders. And re-reading is also wonderful–I am constantly surprised by how much more there is in a passage that I was blind to earlier.
 
Lectio Divina, like other times of prayer, should (ideally) be of the “first fruits” of our time–when we are most alert and focused. It may be that you need more preparation–especially simplicity of life to free up some time for God and for your spiritual nourishment. Remove what gets in the way of God! If you need rest, that may have to come first–but don’t neglect Lectio, even if you have only 10 minutes to do it regularly. It’s not so much about the quantity of time as the focus and consistency.

It can also help to schedule in a consistent time for prayer and Lectio. That helps our spirit to get ready–much as we sleep better and more quickly if we prepare for bed about the same time every or most nights. Similarly, it helps to set up a shrine or oratory in our home–even if it’s just a corner with a chair, our Bible, and perhaps an icon or religious picture, or a candle to light. That serves many purposes: as a reminder of prayer each time we pass it or see it, as a ritual element to get us “in the mood” when we go there, plus the effort put into establishing it tells us this is an important, even essential, part of our life.

In general, Lectio Divina is to read in depth–don’t try to get a certain amount read each day, but read a brief passage and let it speak to you. It may take ten years, or more, to get through the full Bible. So what? Better to take the time and dwell with God and listen to God’s Word speaking in your life than to hurry through like a tourist and miss the wonders. And re-reading is also wonderful–I am constantly surprised by how much more there is in a passage that I was blind to earlier.
Thank you Brother.

I have been trying to get more serious about lectio and your post could not have come at a better time.

-Tim-
 
I find that the New Testament is easier to read and to understand than the Old Testament. Plus we can know Jesus and learn from His teachings. I’ve read the New Testament so many times yet so many of there stories still get by me. One day too I’ll try memorizing chapters and verses;)
 
I find that the New Testament is easier to read and to understand than the Old Testament. Plus we can know Jesus and learn from His teachings. I’ve read the New Testament so many times yet so many of there stories still get by me. One day too I’ll try memorizing chapters and verses;)
I don’t do too well memorizing chapter and verse, but on occasion I have found a particularly moving passage and made a notecard to keep. It helps somewhat.
 
I’ve found it better not to read in Bible order, but to change it up–often I alternate OT and NT books, or split up some of the more turgid books (Leviticus comes to mind, and Deutronomy, plus some of the Wisdom books can be tough going too.) with those that are richer for me–the Gospels, Letters of the NT, Psalms, and Prophets are often more rewarding.
👍
 
I love the Holy Scriptures[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB] THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US;)
 
I carry my Bible with me everywhere I go hoping to be able to freely be able to read it when ever I want. I find myself struggling to do so because I have beside it a novel by David Baldacci that I keep wanting to finish. :eek: I know I’m a bad boy!!
 
I carry my Bible with me everywhere I go hoping to be able to freely be able to read it when ever I want. I find myself struggling to do so because I have beside it a novel by David Baldacci that I keep wanting to finish. :eek: I know I’m a bad boy!!
Not necessarily–unless the novel(s) keep you from reading the Bible. This is why a personal schedule can be helpful in keeping discipline–for example, reading for half an hour on getting home from work, or after dinner, and so on.
 
Not necessarily–unless the novel(s) keep you from reading the Bible. This is why a personal schedule can be helpful in keeping discipline–for example, reading for half an hour on getting home from work, or after dinner, and so on.
👍
 
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