Adapted from a talk given by Bishop David Walker Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Broken Bay Christian baptism, like marriage, draws us into a shared life—a common life—with Jesus. To be a disciple is to foster and deepen this life day by day, learning to see as Christ sees and to live as He calls us to live. One of the greatest gifts Jesus has entrusted to us for this purpose is the sacred scriptures. In the scriptures, we meet the Lord Himself. We do not simply study written words; we enter a living encounter. As we seek to grow in this shared life with Christ, there are four simple points that can guide the way we approach the scriptures. 1. The Scriptures Were Written for People of Faith The Bible was not written for scholars or specialists, but for believers—for ordinary people striving to walk with God. Its purpose is to nurture and encourage the life of faith. This means we do not need academic training to approach scripture. We read as disciples within the life of the Church Christ has given us, trusting that His word will not lead us astray. The scriptures belong to the whole People of God, and the Lord speaks through them to every receptive heart. 2. Our Faith Life Is the Key to Understanding Scripture The most important preparation for reading scripture is not intellectual but spiritual. The deeper our relationship with Jesus, the more clearly His voice emerges from the pages. As in any relationship, intimacy allows for richer communication. Scripture both feeds this intimacy and opens more fully as that intimacy grows. We read the Bible not to fulfil a task, but to deepen the common life we share with Christ—the very life that gives meaning to our reading in the first place. 3. Familiarity with Scripture Is Familiarity with Christ St Jerome reminds us that “ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” When we become familiar with scripture, we become familiar with Jesus Himself. This familiarity grows only through regular contact—a little each day, or steady time each week. Listening to scripture can also be a help: during a commute, while doing simple tasks, or in moments of quiet. Over time, scripture begins to echo in the heart. Like a cow chewing its cud, we find ourselves returning to God’s word throughout the day—sometimes in prayer, sometimes in sudden insight, sometimes in guidance for a choice before us. Familiarity with scripture makes it easy to turn our attention to Jesus, no matter what we are doing. 4. Lectio Divina: Letting Scripture Speak Into Our Lives Another path into deeper encounter is Lectio Divina, or spiritual reading. This is a slow, prayerful reflection on a passage of scripture, allowing its message to move from the text into our lived faith. Lectio begins with the written word but ends in personal conversion. It helps us recognise who is speaking to us, how we are called to respond, and where our current response may need to grow. This reflective dialogue with God’s word allows scripture to shape the way we think, choose, and live. Taking the Next Step If you desire to take your shared life with Jesus more seriously, the path is simple and always available: turn to the scriptures. In them, Christ draws close. Through them, He deepens our life together. And with them, He forms us more fully as His disciples. CCD Wollongong sincerely thanks the Campbelltown Catholic Club for its generous financial support. This support greatly enhances the Diocese of Wollongong’s ability to provide SRE in state schools, offering excellent resources, training, and support for parishes and catechists. Thank You! Meeting the Lord Himself: Growing as Disciples Through God’s Word 22 | CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE • CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1