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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Oct. 17, 2010
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
October 17, Twenty-Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121:1-8
2) 2 Timothy 3:14 to 4:2
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
I was raised a Catholic, and like many Catholic homes in the 1960s, we had a family Bible -- the huge coffee table size with the red cover, gold-edged pages and photos of the popes and cardinals in the front.
It was not very portable, and I think we only read from it at Christmastime. Fortunately for me, we also owned a children's illustrated Bible through which my imagination became absorbed with all the colorful stories of salvation history.
It wasn't until I met friends in high school who read the Bible regularly that I discovered what I had been missing. The words on the page came alive as the Holy Spirit helped me find comfort, insight and direction through the text -- and the more I read, the more I encountered Jesus, the living Word.
After more than 30 years of reading, studying and praying with the Bible, I still discover treasures in the words of Scripture. Even so, I admit that I'm not as persistent or consistent as I could be. When I find prayer wearisome or my devotional life drying up, I, like Moses in today's first reading, require some help and support.
That's when a good prayer partner, spiritual director or Bible study group "props up" the arms of my resolve so that I can again turn to the Scriptures and become "equipped for every good work."
By allowing the inspired truths, promises and even challenges of the Bible to permeate my prayer, I am also better able to "proclaim the word" to others.
These days, I own several different versions of the Bible, and all of them are quite a bit smaller and more portable than that coffee table volume from my childhood. The most portable version, however, is the one that I carry around in my head and my heart, ever reminding me to be faithful to what I have learned and believed.
QUESTIONS:
When is the last time that the words of the Scriptures came alive for you? What kinds of support do you need to have a better understanding of the Bible and a more fruitful prayer life?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"You have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation" (2 Timothy 3:15).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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