YOUCAT: The right way to read Sacred Scripture is to read it prayerfully, in other words, with the help of the Holy Spirit, under whose influence it came into being. It is God’s Word and contains God’s essential communication to us. [109-119, 137]
Pick up the Bible, open it, and start reading. Sounds easy, right? Not always. Here are some tips to help you.
Commit to reading the Bible daily, but not when you’re tired. You want to be awake so you can give it your full attention. Before you start to read, pray that you may be open to hearing God’s word.
The Bible is not meant to be read from cover to cover. Pick one book, like the Gospel of Matthew, to start. Be sure to read the foreword, it will give you good background on who wrote it, to whom he was writing, and some basic themes. Read a little each time. Take the time to pray and reflect on what you read.
No matter where you are in your life, if you open up the Book and read it, it will speak to you. Now go dust off that Bible and start!
#YearofFaith Challenge: How will you let God’s word change your life?
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young adult Ministry