IT
MAKES SENSE TO ME
By Larry Peterson
As a cradle Catholic who went to twelve years of Catholic school
"waaaaay" back in the '50s and '60s, I can say without hesitation
that my education in the Bible and about the Bible and of the Bible was almost
non-existent. The Catechism with its nays & yays and right & wrong
dominated the conversation. However, over the past ten years or so I have come
to honor and respect the Bible. It took me all those decades to realize how
profound and so magnificently in our faces with truths this book, written so
long ago, is. The seven Wisdom books alone are worth more than all the jewels
on Pharaoh's crown.
Back to the 'truths' I mentioned. The other day, August 26, the
gospel reading was from Matthew 23: 27-32. I believe this gospel actually
references today's world and the egotistical and self-centered mindset that so
many people have embraced. Countless people have stomped on the goodness within
God's creation by choosing to grasp onto the secular banner of
"meism." The Bible has their number--literally. It had it then and it
has it now.
For me, as a writer, the Bible also has the best writing
prompts...especially if you are having trouble getting the words to flow from
your brain to the screen or paper. The Gospel reading from August 26 is a prime example of how my brain can get 'jump-started'. This jolt came from Matthew 23: 27-32. (I'm just using 27 -28.) Here it is:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are
like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside but inside are
full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you
appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing."
There are actually seven "Woe to you" paragraphs
in Chapter 23. I quoted number six because it was part of the Gospel
reading for the day. Anyway, the first thing that came to mind was Planned
Parenthood. Think about it: "beautiful on the outside but
inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the
outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and
evildoing." I immediately thought of the people destroying
the lives of babies and joking about it. I thought of all those defending
this organization and insist that those who would vilify it are taking away
women's health protections. There are many in high places that certainly appear
beautiful on the outside and, since I do not get to look inside, I can only
imagine. I do know this: abortion is the Holocaust of the last four decades.
In America, marriage between a man and a woman is being
denigrated by the beautiful, sophisticated, upscale and highly civilized
secular community. Same-sex "marriage" is hailed as a right and the
enhancement of freedom. Rejecting one's God-given sex and deciding to change to
the opposite sex is hailed as heroic and courageous. Legalizing euthanasia has
taken root in Europe and in America. In Belgium they now permit childhood
euthanasia. I could go on and on but you all know what has and is happening.
And many of those who proclaim Catholicism as their faith approve of these
practices.
I am amazed that it has taken me so long to realize the
magnificence and page-to-page wisdom the Bible holds. So much of Scripture
defines the present. It describes us and our world. It tells us how and where
are journey began, where it has taken us, and where we are going. It is a great
gift and I shall never ignore it again. It is also the one and only book I
will reference when seeking out writing prompts. The Bible has it all. If you have not tried you should check it out. It is a GREAT READ.
©2015 Larry Peterson-All RightsReserved
Larry,
ReplyDeleteI've had a similar experience. I had twelve years of private Catholic schooling and we never touched a Bible until my junior or senior year of high school. It was all Baltimore Catechism. All our religion classes were the memorized questions and answers. I still have memories of my father quizzing me on the answers and sending me back to my room to review if I didn't remember the answers correctly. I would say that I never really came to 'know, love, and serve' Jesus by this method. It has taken me to age 64 to 'discover' the Bible and God's eternal Word. I realize that with the time left to me on this earth that I will not be able to adequately understand all the wisdom in the Bible, but I do hope with the help of the many Catholic Bible study sites on the Web that I will be able to understand salvation history and come to love and serve my Savior. I have learned so much recently woth good Catholic oriented Bible Study on the Web and I am greatful to sll these wonderful people for sharing their knowledge of the Bible.
I agree with you, from my Bible Study classes, that the Bible speaks to us in these times. I particularly think that the prophetic literature tells us that if we do not change our lives and the course that we are on that there will be a great 'correcting' in the future. I strongly encourage everyone to pick up that old, dusty Bible that's been sitting on the bookshelf or residing in the nightstand drawer to open it up and read it, really read it. And if you need help, go to the Web there are many great resources there to lead you towards a deeper understanding of the Bible.
Thanks Laurel---Sometimes I think their goal was primarily to raise good little "soldiers" who would not think for themselves. The Bible would have been easy for us to question. The Catechism was 'cut & dried'. Anyway, thanks for validating my thoughts. God bless and have a great ongoing bible experience.
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