Guest Writer: Paula Franck
ENGAGING SCRIPTURE
It is a great thing, this reading of the Scriptures! For it is not possible ever to exhaust the mind of the Scriptures. It is a well that has no bottom.—St. John Chrysostom.
As human beings we love to hear, tell and read stories. Elie Wiesel said, “God loves a good story, so He created mankind.” The stories we tell, as well as the stories we don’t tell, reveal what we value. Stories are important to help us gain an understanding of who we are. Madeleine L’Engle wrote: “ . . . without a story you have not got a nation or a culture, or a civilization. Without a story of your own to live, you haven’t got a life of your own” (Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art. Wheaton, IL: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1980).
Beyond the enjoyment they provide, stories also help give meaning and understanding to the world around us. Quoting again from Madeleine L’Engle: “The only answer to a big question is in stories.” (Episcopal Life, May 1990). We see this clearly in the teachings of Jesus. Again and again, Jesus told a story in response to a question—often a parable to challenge us to look beyond the obvious.
Story gives us a sense of our identity and belonging. Common stories and experiences bring us together, and Scripture is the story that binds us together as the people of God—a family of faith. Long before the Bible as we know it was compiled, these stories were handed down in the oral tradition.
You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul . . . And you shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise . . . that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land (Dt. 11: 18-21).
The word bible derives from biblia which means books. The Bible is actually an entire library in itself. St. Ambrose wrote, “Divine Scripture is the feast of wisdom, and the single books are the various dishes.” This is the HOLY BIBLE because these stories about God and God’s people are sacred stories.
And what a story the Bible has to tell! The story begins and ends in paradise. It is full of drama, action, adventure, poetry and song, mystery, good versus evil, romance, and compelling heroes and heroines. While the main characters experience seemingly unsurmountable trials and tribulations, the story ultimately has a happy ending. But above all, this is a love story—the love of God for creation and all its people.
When our own story connects with the sacred story our lives are changed. “When you read God’s word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, 'It is talking to me, and about me.”—Soren Kierkegaard.
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life . . . (Book of Common Prayer).
This year the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 2, and as we prepare for the mystery of Easter, we are invited to read and meditate on God’s holy Word. Statistics reveal that the Bible is the most sold, but often the least read book. Sincere intentions to read the Bible from beginning to end often get bogged down and end in Exodus 25 with the description of the tabernacle.
There are many ways to approach the reading of Scripture, and the best way is to find what works best for you. It is helpful to set realistic reading expectations. Identify a passage or even a single verse to reflect on for a week—or more. There is no hurry, so take your time and savor the beauty of language: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).
Using all your senses, imagine that you are actually inside the passage—what do you see, hear, smell, taste and touch? Identify with a character and experience the reading from that person’s viewpoint. Simply reading passages out loud to yourself can bring new insights. Try using different translations.
The Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of readings used by most Protestant churches for Sunday worship, provides a way to experience the breadth of Scripture. The four appointed readings for each day reflect the themes of the seasons of the Church Year through the major events of the Hebrew Bible and the life and ministry of Jesus. Just as children delight in having the same story read to them over and over again, this cycle of readings brings new meaning each time we encounter passages again.
There is no right or wrong way to read Scripture. The most important thing is to just open the book and read!
Jesus invites us into a story bigger than ourselves and our imaginations, yet we all get to tell that story with the scandalous particularity of this moment and this place. We are storytelling creatures because we are fashioned in the image of a storytelling God. May we never neglect that gift. May we never lose our love for telling the story.—Nadia Bolz-Weber.
Circle of Days: A Church Year Primer – Year C by Paula Franck and Isabel Anders provides summaries of the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the Sundays and Holy Days of the Church Year along with questions for reflection. This book is designed as a companion to Sunday worship for groups and individuals who desire a deeper understanding of Scripture and its meaning for their lives. In preparation for Lent, free ebooks will be available for download from Amazon.com from February 15-19.
Paula Franck