“The door of faith is always open to us…” Pope Benedict XVI
Where is that door?
One of the things I have found most useful in pursuing my faith is scripture. While opening to a random page is always interesting, for a more structured and insightful approach, consider these options.
The Easy Start
For a quick reflection, I love Living Faith. This quarterly booklet, about the size of a passport, is also available online. Living Faith offers a daily biblical quote (one sentence or less!) and then a brief observation. Written by a variety of authors, each day feels different – one day a personal story, another a faith insight.
Time: This takes one to two minutes. Doesn’t get much quicker than that.
Daily Readings
The Mass readings for each day are on-line (the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, or EWTN Global Catholic Network, for instance), as well as published in a booklet by Magnificat (my favorite). Each month, Magnificat offers (for a fee) a booklet or an app with prayers and readings for each day. Also included are summaries of the Saints lives, as well as a helpful ‘Meditation of the Day’ (often excerpted from the global writings of holy luminaries) which is always robust and credible.
Time: Magnificat can take as little or as much time as you would like to give. Usually, I spend ten or fifteen minutes.
Bible Study
Sounds scary? I thought it would be filled with people shouting random bible verses, or throwing themselves to the floor wailing in prayer. In fact, in my local Scripture Study I was surprised to find quite a few people I knew, and really liked, pop up. People don’t advertise it. They just go. I found new friends, and a few old acquaintances became good friends.
If you can go to a Scripture study in person, I recommend it. The support of a community, and thought-provoking discussion can’t be matched in a virtual world. (Check the website of a local church. Don’t worry if you haven’t been to Mass or services. Give in to the desire to learn more. Trust God.)
That said, on-line options are plentiful and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Just make sure it’s a reputable and well-established group or leader (you know the risks with on-line personas). Ask questions, think, test.
There is also a published series of studies that has great insight: Six Weeks with the Bible. Titles address books of the Bible (Luke: The Good News of God’s Mercy), or themes (Jesus the Healer) and include Old and New Testament.
Time: Most Scripture Study meetings/sessions are 60 to 90 minutes.
Start with whatever feels right to you. Let yourself enjoy it. If you have any feedback or other suggestions, please add your two cents.
Soulsify 