The Heartbreak of Thomas
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I’ve been so inspired by all the people doing “Bible in a Year.” I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, but it’s certainly causing me to ponder how I could go deeper into the Word of God.
Why is the Word of God, and especially the Gospels, important to us as Catholics? Simply put, because it’s the Heart of God. It’s how we come to know Him more deeply and live like He wants us to. Much like through our relationships, we come to learn about one another, the Bible is God’s living Word speaking to us. We come to know Him and deepen our relationship with Him through Scripture. It’s often said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us.
Throughout the Bible, as we read Scripture, there are lessons to be learned in each book, but there are also big consistent themes. We learn through these themes and patterns who God is. Themes that include things like mercy, love, kindness, justice, abundance, generosity, fruitfulness, and goodness. Themes of God being with us and for us, having a plan for us, and deeply caring for and knowing us. There are also ongoing themes and explicit directions of how He calls us to live.
There are many ways to read the Word of God beyond “Bible in a Year” which include daily or weekly readings and reflections. There are also books, daily devotionals, self-studies, audio meditations, podcasts, and group bible studies. We have an abundance of ways to go deeper in Scripture. We just need to find what works best for us.
On a personal note, I happen to like listening to the daily mass readings and using Lectio Divina to meditate on the words and phrases that speak to me during morning prayer. I find that each day, God speaks something special to me through His Word that perfectly fits the need of the day. I also find that over the years, I have truly learned the Heart of God through this practice, and would recommend it to anyone.
Beyond that, I have found that God organically draws me to look at and study different parts of the Bible based on what I’m going through in my life. It makes Scripture that much more relevant and memorable to me at that time.
With all that said, learn what works for you and how God might be calling you to look at Scripture. I encourage you to get to know the Word of God, for in it lies the Heart of God.
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
