< <  

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

  > >


2 Kings 22:8-13; 23:1-3
Psalm 119:33-37, 40
Matthew 7:15-20

View Readings
Similar Reflections

look what i found!

“I have found the book of the law in the Temple of the Lord.” —2 Kings 22:8

How many Christians have a family Bible which hasn’t been opened for years sitting on a coffee table? How many Catholics have a Holy Bible somewhere in the house, but have no idea where it is? How many Bibles are given as gifts to people, but then are never opened, never read, and serve merely to collect dust and cobwebs?

King Josiah commissioned repairs to be made to the Temple, which had been neglected for a long time (2 Kgs 22:3ff). While performing the repairs, the high priest found “the book of the law” (2 Kgs 22:8), the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. The Old Testament Scriptures were to be readily available in the synagogues and the Temple (see e.g. Lk 4:17), but perhaps had not been opened since the death of the previous good king, Hezekiah. It’s possible that the Torah had not been opened for eighty-five years! (see 2 Chr 32:33—34:8ff)

Today, open a Bible. Spend at least fifteen minutes reading the Word of God. Resolve to read it and heed it each day of the rest of your life (Acts 17:11). Take back the Word of God from the clutches of the dust. Devour it (Jer 15:6) and let it be the joy of your heart.

Prayer:  Father, “lead me in the path of Your commands, for in it I delight” (Ps 119:35).

Promise:  “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” —Mt 7:19

Praise:  Simon, an agnostic, went to Linda’s church in hopes of getting a date with her. To his surprise, the pastor’s preaching touched him so deeply that he became a Christian. He also married Linda.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio October 4, 2023"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.