St. John Chrysostom: The Need for Bible Reading I am always encouraging you, and I am not going to stop encouraging you, to pay attention to what is said here in church, but also, when you are at home, to continue constantly in the practice of reading the divine Scriptures. And don’t let anyone make excuses like, “I’m too busy with politics.” “I’m a businessman.” “I’m a skilled worker. I must get on with my job.” “I’ve got a wife.” “I’m raising kids.” “I’m responsible for a household.” In other words, “I’m a lay person; it’s not my business to read the Bible. I’ll leave that to professional Christians like monks, nuns, priests and theology students.” What are you saying? It’s not your business to pay attention to the Bible because you are distracted by thousands of concerns? But that’s the very reason why you need to read the Bible! The more worries you have, the more you need the Bible to keep you going! People like monks and nuns who have left the world behind are quite safe. But you are always standing in the line of battle and are constantly being hit, so you need more medicine. For not only does your wife irritate you, but your son annoys you, and a servant makes you lose your temper. An enemy schemes against you, a friend envies you, a neighbor insults you, a colleague trips you up. Often a lawsuit impends, poverty distresses, loss of possessions brings sorrow. At one moment success puffs you up; at another, failure deflates you. Numerous powerful temptations to anger and anxiety, to discouragement and grief, to vanity and loss of sense surround us on every side. Where can you find a suit of armor, or a castle from which to defend yourself? Where can you find ointment for your wounds, but in the Bible? Since many things like this besiege our soul, we need the divine medicines so that through the constant reading of the Scriptures we might treat the wounds we already have and check beforehand the wounds that are to come. For it is not possible, not possible for anyone to be saved who does not constantly have the benefit of spiritual reading.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 04:57:43 +0000
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