Reading the Bible is "the best vaccine" against Catholic communities closing in on themselves or focusing only on self-preservation, Pope Francis said.
God wants "a Church that does not speak from itself or about itself but has in its heart and on its lips the Lord and draws daily from His Word," the Pope told members of the Catholic Biblical Federation.
"It is the Word of God, not our own," he said, and "it removes us from being at the centre, saves us from self-sufficiency and triumphalism and calls us continually to go out."
The Pope said, "it would be beautiful if the Word of God increasingly became the heart of every church activity, the beating heart that gives life to the members of the body." (The Catholic Register May 6, 2019)
In his recent book, "Called by Name, Sent in His Name", Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher says:
"For many Christians, participating in a Bible study group has become an essential activity in their lives. They meet with other believers who want to hear the voice of Jesus speak to them. they gather regularly either in the home of one of the members or in a public space for an hour or two to meditate on a text from scripture, to enlighten each other, to share how it challenges them. These groups often become true communities of faith where deep friendships and trust are forged." (p. 40)
Consider joining your fellow parishioners using the Little Rock scripture study to light the way to understanding the message of the Bible, developing a more personal relationship with God and a deeper relationship with others in our faith community. There is a session in the Fall and another in the Spring, offered Monday evenings, Wednesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.
The Fall 2019 session beginning September 9, 2019 will study the Letters of James, Peter, and Jude.
For further information contact gsbiblestudy@rogers.com.