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The Catholic Christian quiz follow-up

 

     All of the questions came from gospels, and not just any stories, but major events in Christ’s life on earth. Every one of them also came from material that is part of the third through ninth grade catechism curriculum. For all Sunday Mass attendees, most of these readings have appeared in one form or another since Christmas.  If they sounded familiar, it’s a good thing. It the reader didn’t recognize hearing them before, perhaps a little more participation in church or maybe, a bible study group.

 

     For some reason or another, at every parish there are always those who are interested in having a bible study. Whether or not they will come to one is a different story. At some parishes, if ten say they’ll be there, five will show up, and some parishes actually receive more. Several churches in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe either have an organized bible study or have parishioners who meet in their homes for that purpose. The Bible, especially the New Testament, is the basis for our entire faith. The study of the great book is than the most basic catechetical program that can include any participant regardless of age, gender, secular or religious. The Bible was not meant for one person to read alone or intended for any special character. Sharing the Word of God is part of community as it was with the first disciples.

 

     The Pastoral Letters of Timothy, which were most likely written by either St. Paul or some of his later disciples, are letters of hope and encouragement, teaching and guiding, written to leaders of the early churches.  In the second letter, the writer recognizes those who have remained faithful to what they have learned, because they know it is the Word of God. He says the faithful have learned scripture since they were infants, knowing it is capable of giving wisdom and salvation through Christ. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching in righteousness, that one who belongs to God will be competent and filled with good works (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

 

     The other part of this idea is in making it happen. I mentioned before the quiz, that catechism, especially adult formation, most often begins with someone inquiring, and of course bible study is an element of that formation. Contact your church and ask. Step two, once you’ve got someone listening to the idea, is to make a commitment either as a group leader or participant. In other words, if you get something started, be a part of it. There are guidebooks put out by virtually every Catholic publisher on leading bible study, but for basics, one only needs to be led by weekly church scripture found in missals. A weekly study of the upcoming gospel is a great place to start.

 

     The number of religious in ratio to the secular community is at a low percentage. Some parishes do not have a weekly priest, and some rarely see one, and that’s here in the United States. More and more the lay community is called to step up to the plate and take charge of the faithful development of every member of the community. It isn’t hard but it requires heart, commitment, and a love of God. 

 

     So it doesn’t happen at your parish. It’s okay. Jesus only required two or three to gather in his Name.  It’s a wonderful experience within a family. It could be shared with friends or neighbors. In all its incarnations the Bible is the best selling book of all time, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find somebody that will read it with you…and talk about it.

 

    Faith is a participatory act. We are all responsible for teaching ourselves and each other with the Word of God. We are responsible to share the wisdom and the good works.