Encountering Christ in Scripture
"[Jesus] said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45)
"[Jesus] said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." (Luke 24:44-45)
Jesus was totally into Bible Study. In Luke 24, Jesus led a study with the disciples he met on the Road to Emmaus before he made himself known to them in the breaking of the bread. Then, when the same men were relaying their experience with the apostles, Jesus appeared to them all and led another Bible Study. Their hearts were already open, and so Jesus opened their minds to better understand the message of salvation in Scripture.
Today’s gospel informs us of Jesus’ desire for his disciples — then and now — to grasp the depths of his enduring love through the sacred epic love story that began at the dawn of time. Our Beloved wants us to know just how much and for how long we have been the object of his desire and of the many gestures he made to draw us to him.
Scripture study is a powerful path to encountering Christ. Pope Francis once asked us to contemplate: “What would happen were we to treat the Bible as we treat our mobile phones?” Today we can read the Bible directly from our cell phones. What if we opened and read our Bibles several times per day and then responded to it as often as we do with our texts and emails? As with any love letter, we would find our love for Christ growing exponentially with each passing day.
How would my relationship with Christ change if I read and responded to Scripture as often as I read and responded to messages on my cell phone?
Lord, open my mind so that I can encounter you more deeply in the Scriptures. Amen.
Charmaine Carter, MD is a retired physician, now serving as the Director of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle. She became Catholic 16 years ago along with her husband Deacon John Carter and their 3 children. She holds a Master of Theology from Saint Leo University, and she is a Spiritual Director, having trained at the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence School of Spirituality. On any given day, you will find her studying and/or teaching Sacred Scriptures, which are her passions.
To sign up to receive the Be Courageous Daily Reflections to your inbox, click the link below.
