If you’ve ever been to a wedding in a Catholic Church you may have noticed how the Bible passages used reflect the love of the couple. Or if you’ve been to a Catholic funeral, the scripture may have touched you in your grief and helped you to know that your loved one is now at peace with God.

If you’ve ever had a Bible passage appear on your Facebook or Instagram feed and felt like it was talking to you, then you, like so many people, have experienced the ability of scripture to move us in our very depths when we are open and listening.

The Bible is more than something Christians use at church on Sunday. As Pope Francis tells us, we can encounter God personally and profoundly by listening to the Word of God, both at Mass and in personal prayer and reflection.

This coming Sunday, 24 January, is the Sunday of the Word of God. In 2019 Pope Francis called on all Catholics to set this Sunday aside as a special day to celebrate, study and share the Word of God. 

Have you set a New Year’s Resolution yet or are you struggling to follow one? Are you highly organised and already starting to think about how you might grow in faith this Lent given that it starts in just under a month? Are you just looking for more in your life and faith?

If so, then I encourage you to turn to the Bible more this year. Find ways to increase your exposure to scripture, immerse yourself in the message God has for you personally, now. Be open, listen and act when God prompts you to love more in your daily life, as I know he will.

Need some ideas?

* Spend 15 minutes in quiet each morning with just yourself and God.

* Use a daily Bible app to help you read the Bible. Maybe try Alpha’s Nicky Gumbel’s Bible in One Year app. Or download the Catholic Study Bible App.

* Listen to a Bible podcast. The Bible in a Year podcast with Fr Mike Schmitz is working through the whole Bible during 2021.

* “Like” or “follow” a scripture-based group on social media. St Declan’s Parish has Instagram and Facebook accounts where we post weekly inspiring scripture passages.

Over to you!

How are you going to let God speak to you today?