BIBLE SUNDAY 25 10 2026
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Nehemiah 8.1-12
NEW TESTAMENT READING: Colossians 3.12-17
GOSPEL Matthew 24.30-35
The Bible is central to our Christian faith. The Bible is a collection of books which were written by people. However, the books of the Bible are considered to be inspired writings, those who wrote these books were inspired by the Holy Spirit and hence these writings are sacred texts that tell us about God, Comfort us in our sorrows, challenge us when we go wrong, help us in our healing, guide us in the way we should live our lives and very specially draw us closer to God. The Bible can be a great companion to us enriching our lives and our spirituality. The Bible is also referred to as the ‘Living Bible’ as each of us get the guidance we need according to our circumstances.
Bible Sunday is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the profoundness of the Holy word. We believe in a God who speaks to us by the written word. The books of the Bible tell us how and what God spoke to the people according to their situation. In the Old Testament we hear about God establishing his covenant with the Hebrew people whom God redeemed from the slavery in Egypt. ‘Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation’. (Exodus 19.5). The relationship with God is based on people’s willingness to listen to the voice of God and respond to God’s word in obedience.
What is the nature of God’s word:
The writer of Proverbs tells us that the word of God is the truth and the word of God is the protection for all those who take refuge in him. That is the wonder of God’s word. ‘Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him’. (Proverbs 30:5)
Prophet Isaiah tells us about the profoundness of God’s word. He says that even if everything fades away, the word of God will stand true forever. ‘The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever’. (Isaiah 40:8). Our Lord Jesus told his disciples the same thing. We heard in the Holy Gospel Jesus say, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away’. Such is the nature of the word of God.
Prophet Jeremiah speaks of the nature and the power of the word of God, ‘Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?’ (Jer. 23. 29). The word of God carries the power of God to the people and empowers people.
The prophet Isaiah also tells us, ‘Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go’. (Isaiah. 48. 17). God teaches us through his word for our Good and the word of God directs us in the way we should go.
We heard St. Paul tell us, ‘let the word of Christ dwell in you richly’. We not only hear the word of God but let God’s word be in our minds. We should always remember St. Paul’s words to Timothy, ‘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.’
(II Timothy 3. 16-17).