The Annual Bible Sunday will take place on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022.
The inspiration for #TheBibleSpeaks comes from Pope Francis' letter for the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, Misericordia et misera, #7, in which he states, "It would be beneficial if every Christian community, on one Sunday of the liturgical year, could renew its efforts to make the Sacred Scriptures better known and more widely diffused. It would be a Sunday given over entirely to the word of God, so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people."
Bishop Crosby and the Diocese of Hamilton has chosen the third Sunday of Ordinary Time each year as our day to emphasize how #TheBibleSpeaks and how #WeListen.
While reading the Scriptures, ask yourself these four basic questions.
Determine as closely as possible the literal meaning of the text. What do the words say? What is the range of meaning in the words?
The meaning of a text is determined not simply from the words but also from the context in which the words exist.
How does this apply to my life? How does this apply to the life of the Church?
...to do about it? What difference does this text mean for my life? What is my response to God’s word?
Begin with a prayer to the Holy Spirit.
Read through the passage once at a normal pace.
Digest the words. Get a sense of the phrases.
Allow the Word to seep more deeply into your consciousness.
Read the passage through, section by section.
How does this Word speak to me at this time, in this context?
What emotions are evoked by the Word?
How does this Word speak to me of God and how does it impact my life?
Conclude with a brief prayer of thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit.
A brief presentation by Father David Perrin entitled, "A Look Through Luke."
David B. Perrin, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario and a priest of the Diocese of Hamilton. He is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of St. Jerome’s University, a past-President of the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality, and was the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Saint Paul University, Ottawa.
This video presentation complements personal or group Bible study as well as provides food for thought for adult faith study groups.
Young people grades 3-5 are encouraged to explore the “Adventure Passport for the Gospel of Luke” prepared by the Diocesan Offices for Evangelization and Catechesis, Youth Ministry and the Bishop Farrell Library and Archives. This adventure passport brings the youthful learner through the Gospel of Luke from the Infancy Narrative all the way up to Emmaus, looking at highlights along the way. These highlights are explored meaningfully both with the inclusion of illuminations from the Saint John’s Bible as well as challenges to bring conversations of faith alive in home or classroom. This is a digital and/or printable resource that young people can use as a short term initiative or a year long experience of faith in home or school.
Additional adult and child-friendly resources are available for the Year of Luke – please contact the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis at catechesis@hamiltondiocese.com for a full listing.