Contrary to the old saying, what we don't know does hurt us. For example, if we don't know the Bible or don't even try to know it, we usually don't know Christ. St. Jerome stated: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." Most of the world doesn't know that we must become new creations by faith in Jesus and by being baptized. Not to know this condemns a person to slavery, darkness, and frustration bordering on despair. Not to know the truth is to be an unprotected sheep in the midst of wolves (see Mt 7:15). The Lord laments: "My people perish for want of knowledge!" (Hos 4:6)

This explains why King Josiah tore His garments in sorrow and contrition when he heard a recently recovered part of the Bible read (2 Kgs 22:11). He knew that what the people of God didn't know would hurt them. Thus Josiah "had the entire contents of the book of the covenant that had been found in the temple of the Lord, read out to" the people (2 Kgs 23:2).

For many Christians, all or part of the Bible is still lost. The consequences of this are devastating for the whole body of Christ. We need new Josiahs who care enough to cry, repent, and to proclaim God's word.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1995

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 4, 1995