Many of us wholeheartedly agree that the Word of God is as relevant today as it was when it was written. Yet, for some unknown reason, we have never read it from cover to cover. "Are we going to do something about that today?"
You may already know that the Bible is the most wonderful book that was ever written. It actually consists of 73 different books; 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. It is said that the first word of the New Testament was written by St. Matthew about 42 A.D. and the last word was written, 55 years later, by St. John.
Paul's letters are the oldest Christian documents we have. The first of them was written within 25 years of Jesus' death, and the last may have been written before any of the gospels. These letters are also the largest collection of writings by any one person in the New Testament.
The finest piece of reading is said to be in Acts 26 and the shortest verse is John 11:35, "Jesus wept." The Bible gives us spiritual nourishment for the soul and parts of it are read at each Mass for our help and edification. We "speak" to Him when we pray but we "hear" Him when we read His Word!
"The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
Dear God, I believe that you speak with your children.
Speak to me Lord and I'll do my best to follow Your Word.
Over the years, many authors created inspiring works with words ... the infamous Desiderata is one. My favorite is the words of the hymn "You are Near" (based on Psalm 139).
O God, I know you are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there;
if I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea,
still I'd find you there.
It is no secret that words are powerful tools for everyday life. They can be used to praise the worthy, teach the ignorant, cheer the unhappy, warm the lonely, encourage the defeated, uplift the despondent, calm the angry and goad the quitter. They could also be used to say important things like "I love you".
You may already know that the Bible is the most wonderful book that was ever written. It actually consists of 73 different books; 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. It is said that the first word of the New Testament was written by St. Matthew about 42 A.D. and the last word was written, 55 years later, by St. John.
Paul's letters are the oldest Christian documents we have. The first of them was written within 25 years of Jesus' death, and the last may have been written before any of the gospels. These letters are also the largest collection of writings by any one person in the New Testament.
The finest piece of reading is said to be in Acts 26 and the shortest verse is John 11:35, "Jesus wept." The Bible gives us spiritual nourishment for the soul and parts of it are read at each Mass for our help and edification. We "speak" to Him when we pray but we "hear" Him when we read His Word!
"The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:63
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11
Dear God, I believe that you speak with your children.
Speak to me Lord and I'll do my best to follow Your Word.
Over the years, many authors created inspiring works with words ... the infamous Desiderata is one. My favorite is the words of the hymn "You are Near" (based on Psalm 139).
O God, I know you are near,
standing always at my side.
You guard me from the foe,
and you lead me in ways everlasting.
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there;
if I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea,
still I'd find you there.
It is no secret that words are powerful tools for everyday life. They can be used to praise the worthy, teach the ignorant, cheer the unhappy, warm the lonely, encourage the defeated, uplift the despondent, calm the angry and goad the quitter. They could also be used to say important things like "I love you".
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