The Bible: My daily instruction manual

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Brian Dulli

In the seminary, perhaps my biggest struggle is the feeling that in my daily walk with the Lord I am merely going through the motions. Daily Eucharist and regular prayer times seem to lure me into the flattering thought that I am well acquainted with holy things.

Worldly or uncharitable thoughts make my prayer taste like bitter water from an old well. And when my conscience is after me for my sloth, I even excuse myself.

Is there any excuse for a lack of passion for the Lord God? Is there any hope for me? How do I work to keep the Gospel fresh and alive in my life?

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Jan. 23, 2005) Is 8:23--9:3 Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 Mt 4:12-23 or 4:12-17

The Bible is my daily instruction manual. I have come to believe and know that a relationship with Jesus Christ normally is established and built through the Scriptures.

When I take the time to mindfully pray the Scriptures, I can trust that in some way I am encountering Christ and really coming to know him better. Christ desires to be revealed through the Scriptures. When I fail to make the Scriptures a part of my life, I am like the people in Isaiah who walked in darkness.

Christ himself is the example of the primacy of revelation in fostering faith. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures, the work of God's revelation to the Hebrews.

When the time comes to begin his public ministry, he fulfills the prophecy about himself in Isaiah concerning the "District of the Gentiles." That district is fulfilled and enlightened in Christ.

Christ is the eternal Word. He is the embodiment of revelation to Galilee and to humble fisherman. Immediately they respond to this call.

I have not had this experience, to my knowledge, of being called to follow the Lord "out of the blue." Often, everything but our Lord seems to come out of the blue, and I seem to walk in a daze of passing hopes and fantasies.

Paul's own associates at Corinth seem to be inoculated against the Gospel bug by dividing and self-selecting into different groups. They are treating the Gospel as if it were like the passing breeze of trendy philosophers. This is the spirit of the world at work in the church.

Paul knows that division cannot originate in the Gospel message. All we have to do is look to Christ crucified to see that we have a sign that is eternal and universal.

Christ is the teacher of every heart. Faithfulness to the Scriptures will inspire us to be more active and loving Catholic Christians. Reading the Scriptures is a Catholic exercise and always leads us toward unity.

	Reflection questions • How is Christ calling me to incorporate the Scriptures into my daily life? • How can I fight worldliness in my religious experience?

Catholic identity is not a cultural phenomenon. It does not transmit itself naturally from one generation to the next.

Catholicism is sustained by openness to the word of God and the unity of the Holy Spirit. May this be the model of discipleship for each of us.

Brian Dulli is a seminarian for the Diocese of Madison. He is currently in First Year Theology at Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Ill.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

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