3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Fr. Simham)
What is the purpose of the scripture
What is the purpose of the Bible? Understanding purpose is crucial to interpretation. We need to understand what is the purpose of the Bible. Then only we can appreciate it better and gain from it. Let me clarify first that Bible is not a history. Don’t look for historical facts in it. Although there is so much history in it. 2. It is not a novel, which is written for a time pass. Don’t read it as a novel. 3. It is not bed time stories book, The purpose of the word of God is not any of these. The readings today tell us what is the purpose of the scriptures. Look at what Luke is saying in his prologue. He says, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
Read also John 20:31, But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
In other words what they are saying is that they have written these things so that reading this orderly account of events may evoke a response of faith. It may provide strong foundation for your faith and evoke a response of faith. That is the purpose of scriptures.
Look at the first reading today. The background is that the people of Israel who were in Babylonian exile were released and Ezra and Nehemiah lead them back to their native land and they were all preparing to rebuild the temple and the community of Israel. You know how difficult it to rebuild a nation or community after a war or catastrophe. Ezra and Nehemiah gather the people together and they read to them the book of the law. What was the response? They were moved to tears. They realised how much they missed in life, by being away from God. It evokes a response of faith and repentance. And in the gospel again, Jesus reads the passage from Isaiah and says this scripture is fulfilled in their sight. And this too evokes a response. All spoke well of him and of course few took him to the cliff of the hill to throw him down. Word of God evokes a response, either positive or negative. As we read in Hebrews 4:12 for ‘the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.’
Here, I also recall to your mind the response of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. They heard the scriptures explained to them. And their reaction was, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures.” Reading or hearing of the scriptures should evoke a response.
Having said that; now let me ask you, what is your response to the Bible? What is our response to the word of God when you read it or hear it? Is it one of living faith and repentance? Or is it one of cold indifference? Word of God is supposed to be sharp double edged sword; Cutting and changing the hearts of the preachers and the preached. But I am afraid that some us have gained expertise to handle the word in such a way that it is harmless. We have learned to tame the word of God. That is why we often see no change in our lives. Or we are so afraid of trouble it gives to our conscience that we found a better place for the Bible. Cup-boards or attics.
Bring it down to read, you bring trouble. There are some who feel like that. Honestly let us ask ourselves, how often do we read the bible? How much time do we allot for reading the Bible. One tenth of the time we allot to TV. or internet. Each one need to answer himself honestly. My dear brothers and sisters, Let learn to love the Bible, read the Word of God. It is not the property of the other churches. It is our property. Let us love it and read it. Because it is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Amen
Fr. Showreelu Simham