tornados? psshhhh

Who would have thought that Sacred Scripture would have so much to say to us? True, I have heard it said before that the great thing about Scripture is that the same passage can give you so many different meanings. But now that I am actually seeing this. I can’t seem to quit! Before my silent retreat retreat, I would occasionally pray with Scripture, but not often enough. Now, I find myself getting excited over it! I mean, you should have seen the excitement on my face when my retreat director said he was going to give me more scripture to pray with. You would have thought I was a 5 year old getting a new toy!

But how do you do it? Do you just read it? Suggestions:

1. Set an alarm for however long you want to pray with the passage. Don’t pray any longer. If something else is to come about, it will later on.
2. Read the passage two and three times over. Get to know it.
3. If a phrase sticks out, work with it right away. Repeat it a few times.
4. Put yourself in the passage. How would you react as a bystander?
5. Put yourself in each character’s shoes. What would you do?

I highly recommend praying with Scripture. After all, it is the word of God. Just remember, it’s not always completely literal. God’s not really going to slay sinners with a sword. At least, he hasn’t yet. Get a commentary to go along with you, such as the New Jerome Biblical Commentary. But the highest recommendation is to take the scripture on its own.

So what are you waiting for! Get that Bible out from balancing your desk, dust it off, and open it up!