30 September 2020

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient,
equipped for every good work.
From 2 Timothy 3; 14-17, NRSV

Usually, on a memorial such as today, we would use the Reading for the Weekday to maintain continuity. However, today is the memorial of St Jerome who was the first to translate the scriptures into the language of the ordinary folk of his day. 2020 was set aside as a Year of the Word with the theme of The God Who Speaks.
Fortunately, because of the pandemic, the bishops of England and Wales have agreed that it should carry over into 2021. What is also interesting is that many people have discovered the power of scripture as a way of praying when they cannot attend Mass personally. People describe finding Masses that offer good homilies. There are downsides to this, of course – not all priests and deacons are gifted homilists but many people have realised afresh the power of scripture.

• • How has scripture affected you during the pandemic?
  • How can you sustain that – or develop it – once life gets back to “normal”?

There is a God Who Speaks website with a vast range of resources. Spend some time today exploring it.