Baptism – deny or defer?
January 22, 2025
In God’s timing, not ours
January 22, 2025
By Dr Wendy Jones
Principal, Catholic Bible Institute
Avid readers, speakers, and writers experience great joy and satisfaction in words. With words, we paint landscapes, develop scenarios, build characters, and develop conversations and relationships.
We tell stories of hate and love, of pride and humility, of war and peace; we set plots, condemn, save lives, and even transport the imagination to “what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, what the mind of man cannot visualise; all that God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9).
The words that we find in the Bible tell a story of the journey of a people through a cycle of life and death, fortune and misfortune, slavery and freedom, and sin and redemption.
It is as if the writers had the unique skill to record events that would speak to generations of people from all walks of life and speak into our hearts the words that inspire faith and hope: “God is love” (1 Jn 4:16). This message is one of the transformative messages in the Bible that makes it far more important for our lives and relationships, especially as people of faith.
The Bible is a book of books as it is a library or collection of books that tell one story of the journey of a people who were adopted as God’s people. It is also valued by many as the Book of books from which some other books are written.
For many, the Bible narrates their path in this life. It heralds the promise of eternal life, the wisdom of the ages, and the potential we all have to “lead a life worthy of [our] vocation” (Eph 4:1).
Without the Bible, we would be greatly challenged in our quest to hear the voice of God, to experience the joy of the gift of salvation, or to pray with our communities and families.
Pope Francis provides insight into the grace of sacred Scripture to unite its listeners, “The Bible is the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division towards unity. The word of God unites believers and makes them one people” (Aperuit Illis, 4).
Believers are united, and many come to believe in God through the words of Scripture. The Bible is the Word of God that continues to inspire faith in those who read seeking communion with Him.
In the Bible we find many prayers that have been incorporated into our liturgies and devotions. In the Gospel of Luke, we find prayers that the faithful pray daily: the Benedictus, the Magnificat, and the Nunc Dimittis. Jesus prays in all Gospel accounts and teaches us how to pray in the synoptic Gospels.
There are also several characters in the Old Testament whose prayers are examples of how to approach God. The Book of Psalms is a significant collection of prayers which we utilise in liturgies and private devotions.
The storyline in the Bible invites us to intimacy with God. When we hear the invitation: “Come, let us talk this over” (Is 1:18), we feel inspired to pray, repent, and experience the embrace of God who loves us.
Exalted high above every other text, the Bible is referred to as the Holy Bible, and the Word of God. The sacramental value of the Bible is highlighted in liturgies and sacraments because central to these is the reading of Scripture.
Pope Benedict XVI expressed this truth eloquently in an Apostolic Exhortation:
The sacramentality of the word can thus be understood by analogy with the real presence of Christ under the appearances of the consecrated bread and wine. By approaching the altar and partaking in the Eucharistic banquet we truly share in the body and blood of Christ. The proclamation of God’s word at the celebration entails an acknowledgement that Christ himself is present, that he speaks to us, and that he wishes to be heard (Verbum Domini, 56).
The proclamation of the Word in our homes, workplaces, and in the world makes Christ present and fulfils the great commission to: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15).
The Bible stands as a towering literary monument, revered by billions for its spiritual significance and profound moral teachings. As a work of literature, its influence transcends religious boundaries, shaping the very fabric of Western culture.
Divided into two main sections, the Old and New Testaments, it is a rich tapestry of genres, including poetry, prose, history, prophecy, prayer, and allegory. Its narratives present iconic figures each contributing to a complex and interconnected narrative that explores themes of love, justice, the human condition, and redemption.
The Bible’s language is marked by its poetic beauty, vivid imagery, and timeless wisdom, captivating readers across centuries and cultures. Its enduring legacy lies not only in its spiritual significance but also in its unparalleled contribution to the literary canon, serving as a source of inspiration and contemplation for all generations.
Above all, the Bible is a book of Divine promise which was fulfilled in the incarnation of the Word of God, Jesus, the Saviour of our souls. May we continue to find life in the Word that is “alive and active” (Heb 4:12).
