HOW  SHOULD  WE  READ,  STUDY,  AND  MEDITATE  THE  BIBLE ?      1.

To understand what we are reading, first of all we have to know what  ‘message’ IS that the Author had in mind. We have to know the customs, culture of the days when it was written and the way the people used to express themselves … the way of life. This can be attained, only by study and learning.

We have to keep in mind, first and foremost, that the Holy Book, the Bible, the Holy Scripture, was ‘written’ by men …BUT, ‘inspired’  by the Holy Spirit, to pass over, to communicate God’s message to us all.

“However, when he comes. who is the Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John, 16:13)

“But first, note this, no one can interpret any prophecy of Scripture by himself for it was not through any human whim that men prophesied of old; men they were, but, impelled by the Holy Spirit, they spoke the words of God.” (2Peter, 1:20)

The Catholic Church  ONLY  has the authority  to interpret the Bible, because it is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Many are the Denominations, Beliefs, Movements who believe in Jesus Christ. There are many sects who ‘believe’ (sic) in  Jesus but their belief is used only as a bait, to catch certain Catholics who are weak or are passing through difficult times … and who blame their Religion for the state they find themselves in.

But, it must be said, that all these Denominations, Beliefs, Movements or Sects, none of them have been promised the help of the Holy Spirit, because they are all outside the One Church, founded by Jesus Himself on the Apostles.

We have to keep in mind the fact that although the ‘message’ of the Bible is passed on to us in the form of a ‘parable’, ‘a story’, ‘an allegory’, that fact should not diminish, lessen,  reduce, the importance or substance of the message. Because the the parables in the Bible are built, based on the everyday experience of the people living in those days, in their own culture. Besides we have to add that it was customary, in their culture, to teach, not only children, but also adults, by telling stories or parables. That is why Jesus made use of Parables in His teachings.

IF the prodigal son never really existed, that fact does not diminish, does not lessen the importance of the message. the moral derived from that parable; that is the great, unbounded love and mercy of God towards us.

Prodigal sons always, existed, they do exist nowadys and their presence remains in the future, but God, also remains merciful and ready to forgive. That is the message of that particular ‘Parable’.

Quotations from,  ‘The New English Bible’.