"ignorance of the scriptures is _______."
"Search the Scriptures." —John 5:39
We believe in Jesus because of His witnesses. These witnesses are John the Baptizer (Jn 5:33), Jesus' works (Jn 5:36), God the Father (Jn 5:37), and especially the Scriptures (Jn 5:39). Jesus said that we would believe in Him if we believed Moses and his writings, that is, the Pentateuch (Jn 5:46-47). Abraham declared: "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if one should rise from the dead" (Lk 16:31). The witness of the Scriptures from Moses and the prophets is more powerful than the witness of a person risen from the dead. Therefore, when Jesus rose from the dead, "beginning, then, with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to Him" (Lk 24:27). "He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45).
St. Jerome said: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism, 133). Without the Scriptures, we will have difficulty hearing God (Rm 10:17). This makes it difficult for us to believe in Jesus. Without the Scriptures, we probably will not recognize the risen Christ (Lk 24:31-32).
Therefore, "search the Scriptures." Meditate "on His law day and night" (Ps 1:2). "Recite it by day and by night" (Jos 1:8). Study it daily (Acts 17:11). Share God's Word (see Lk 8:16). "Humbly welcome the word that has taken root in you, with its power to save you. Act on this word" (Jas 1:21-22).
Prayer: Father, I will use Your Word to overcome the temptations of Satan, as Jesus did when He fasted for forty days.
Promise: "So the Lord relented in the punishment He had threatened to inflict on His people." —Ex 32:14
Praise: Mary took seriously the word that assured her that the Spirit would give her the words to speak (Mt 10:19) and was able to talk to another about a sensitive issue.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 2011
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