Why does the Church encourage daily reading of the Scriptures?
Saint Jerome famously declared: 'Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.' The Church forcefully urges all the faithful to frequent reading and prayerful meditation on the divine Scriptures.
In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children and speaks with them. The Word of God possesses divine power: it strengthens the weak, comforts the afflicted, enlightens moral decisions, and purifies our desires.
Approaching Scripture in an attitude of prayerful listening—known in the Catholic tradition as lectio divina (sacred reading)—allows the text to become a personal conversation between God and the reader. Daily reading of the Mass readings is an excellent, structured way for every Catholic to encounter Christ every day.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 131
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 133
- Hebrews 4:12
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.