"Exploring the Bible" is the title of a recently published book by George Otto Simms. It is helpful reading for Advent, as we explore what the Bible has to say about God's adventure in coming to the world, and of our adventure in coming to Him. Exploring the Bible is also in keeping with our thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Bible Sunday. It is a simple, book by book introduction to the Bible in clear pastoral language, and takes into account the best in modern scholarship.
For those reading the Bible for the first time, it is an ideal companion. There would be very few people, if any, who could claim to know every verse in the Bible however, all can claim that it contains the essential Gospel message. One of the passages in scripture is The Lord's Prayer (only a Jew verses). By exploring its meaning and content, we are there and then true students of the world's bestseller.
If we are aware of the Spirit of Christ in the words we pray, we will then be "meaning what we say and saying what we mean" to Him. God is aware of hypocrisy if, in an unthinking way, we say: "as we forgive those who trespass against us" insincerely. It is important to set apart a time for recollecting the Presence of God before we utter words to Him. Then we will avoid thinking we are praying to God, when in reality we are only talking to ourselves or to the duvet!
Jesus refers to the danger of allowing words to become "ends in themselves". He says, in the 5th Chapter of the Gospel to Saint John and in the 39th verse: "You pore over the scriptures for you imagine that you will find eternal life in them. And all the time they give their testimony to ME".
In the history of the world, we see how much we owe to those who have pioneered and explored in many ways, and have brought great benefits to their follow human beings. It is interesting to note the way in which the instinct of curiosity played a part in developing their exploring spirit. The wise women set out on their journey to satisfy a well founded curiosity to know more. The young Blessed Virgin Mary was stirred by a curiosity about her high destiny, and obeyed the message of the angel.
We give thanks for a curiosity that whets the appetite to explore the Bible, and so enjoy and discover the infant King of Love in new ways. There is excited anticipation in the students of Holy Writ. They look forward to the sheer joy of discovery. It is hoped that in this Advent, more and more people who have been disgusted with the dark things in the world, the unseemly behaviour of human (?) beings, may look up to the stars and learn from the angels to seek for the satisfaction enshrined by Christ in His life and death and Resurrection.
Lord, thy word abideth.
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.
O that we discerning
Its most holy learn in,
Lord, may love and ear thee,
Evermore be near thee!
Amen.