Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio “Aperuit-illis“, published on 30 September, establishes that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God.”
Our Holy Father, in his sermon on this day, said: “Dear brothers and sisters, let us make room inside ourselves for the word of God! Each day, let us read a verse or two of the Bible. Let us begin with the Gospel: let us keep it open on our table, carry it in our pocket or bag, read it on our cell phones, and allow it to inspire us daily. We will discover that God is close to us, that he dispels our darkness and, with great love, leads our lives into deep waters. “
Heeding our Pope’s invitation, with the priest carrying the Bible, we processed in silence from the corridor by the sacristy to the chapel. When he reached the sanctuary, he sang out loud: “Verbum Domini!” (Word of God), and we sang in chorus: “Deo Gratias!” (Thanks be to God). Thus solemnly, we enthroned the Bible – the Word of God – in the chapel.
In Holy Scripture, God reveals to us the mystery of salvation and all the riches of his grace in Christ, our life, whom we serve (cf. C413). Therefore, it is our endeavor, as his servants, to grow in understanding of it that it may transform us and enable us to live it and give witness to it.
We are grateful that daily, we are nourished from the “one table of the Word of God and the Body of Christ” (DV21)
