SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD 2024

No other book in history has been so influential in our culture and history than the Bible. Nor more misunderstood, misused, exploited, or simply ignored. The Bible is more than a list of rules or a magical story. It is actually about the relationship between us and God.

This Sunday, January 21, will be the fifth time since Pope Francis declared the third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God. Each year on this day he asks the Church to set aside a little time to focus on Scripture and its essential role in the history of the Jewish and Christian faiths, not to mention our own personal spiritual development.

The Dicastery for Evangelization offers some useful insight into Scripture and how we can take advantage of this year’s theme – “Remain in my word” (John 8:31) – to deepen our knowledge of it. In his introduction to the dicastery’s Liturgical and Pastoral Handbook for 2024 for the Sunday of the Word of God, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefect, explains:

“The permanent dialogue between God and man, which characterizes the biblical
story, possesses the traits of friendship. It is a personal conversation, touching man in his innermost being and involving him in a loving relationship, reaching out to each one in their own story to be close to them….

“The Sunday of the Word of God allows Christians to reinvigorate once again Jesus’ tenacious invitation to listen to and cherish his Word, in order to offer the world a witness of hope that will enable them to move beyond the difficulties of the present moment.”

Our relationship to Scripture is vitally important to our relationship with God – “the Word” – ourselves and our families, friends, communities and whole societies. Below are a few ways we can improve that relationship:

• Properly trained lectors are important. I was a lector for many years and learned that the ministry is about more than simply reading. It is about proclaiming from a foundation of understanding and faith. It takes both preparation and prayer.

• Well-prepared homilies that combine a thorough understanding of Scripture and its historical context with a diligent reading of the “Signs of the Times” – today’s culture and events – to cast light on how this ancient wisdom can help us make sense of our own role in today’s world.

• Reading at home, whether simply as study or as prayer through lectio divina, a form of meditative prayer with Scripture passages.

• Pope Francis suggests we make a habit of carrying around with us a pocket version of the Gospels, to be able to read it when convenient, such as on the subway or public transit. Today, it is even easier to carry around the entire Bible on our cell phone. There are numerous apps and web sites that provide readings for the day, along with complementary reflections and prayers.
• Participation in Bible study groups, often but not always organized by our parishes, offers a way to study the Bible and benefit from the thoughts, ideas and experiences of others.

• Prayer devotions such as the Rosary provide a contemplative introduction into key themes of the Gospels.

Pope Francis explained to the faithful gathered at his General Audience at the Vatican on January 27, 2021, that “the Bible cannot be read like a novel.” Instead, it is a dialogue that takes place between God and us, leading to a deeper, lasting and life-changing relationship. Nor should it be read to find “proof” of whatever philosophical or political point of view one may hold.

“The Bible was not written for a generic humanity, but for us, for me, for you, for men and women in flesh and blood, men and women who have a name and a surname, like me, like you. And when the Word of God, infused with the Holy Spirit, is received with an open heart, it does not leave things as they were before: never. Something changes. And this is the grace and the power of the Word of God.”

You can find the complete Liturgical and Pastoral Handbook here: http://www.evangelizatio.va/content/dam/pcpne/image/DomenicadellaParola/2024/ENG_V%20DOMENICA-SUSSIDIO.PDF

Joseph Sinasac is the recently retired Publishing Director of Novalis Publishing. He has been involved with religious communications for almost 45 years as an author, journalist, editor and TV and radio commentator on all things Catholic.