Isaiah 52:15 So shall he startle many nations, kings shall stand speechless; For those who have not been told shall see, those who have not heard shall ponder it.
I admire Protestants who have memorized scripture. One Presbyterian Minister I was friends with even read it in the Greek translation. His name was Bill Sistar and he was a good friend who died of Cancer many years ago. Myself, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast two days ago.
I encourage you to memorize passages that inspire you. You may paraphrase as Saint Paul did in our first reading today, but the message is important, and even if you don’t get it quite right. Close may inspire someone you are talking too. Years ago, my wife, Anna, were visiting a local Church, Saint Matthew’s, in Saint Petersburg, Florida. I shared with the Pastor that in tough times in my life, I recite Matthew 28:20 and lo I will be with you till the end of the age. He pulled back the alter cloth and there carved in wood were those same words. We have an awesome God.
You must have scripture that gets you through the day. My sister, Patti, is Jeremiah 29:11. You may not quote things perfectly but when you speak as Saint Paul speaks the message gets through. He didn’t quote Isaiah perfectly, but God’s message got through. So it will be with you when you encourage others.
Close is Good!
This is why we read scripture daily in our Mass readings. This is why we have scripture study. This is how God speaks to us through the words of the Gospel and other Books of the Bible. There are two ways to quote. One is memorization and the other is to get the message close. We know we can find the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17 or Deuteronomy 5:6-21, but other scripture tells us that lust can become adultery, and hate can become killing.
We in our conversations and actions can be the only word of God that some people hear or see. Just like Saint Paul in our first reading didn’t get the quote from Isaiah exactly right. The message got across to the Romans. Myself, I realize that every generation is hearing scripture for the first time. Saint Paul is no longer with us but his words are and they and the words of Christ must be proclaimed by us. We are the Bible that no one reads. We proclaim it by our thoughts, words and actions. When our neighbors see us going to Church on Sunday, they see us following the commandments. When we are fair and ethical in our business dealings we are not stealing. When we care for our parents, we are honoring our mother and father. When we use the Lord’ name in vain we apologize.
Saint Paul and Jesus will tell you keep up the good work.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. (Saint Rita) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President and all government officials!
