secrets to knowing the bible
“He said to him, ‘Do you really grasp what you are reading?’ ‘How can I,’ the man replied, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ ” —Acts 8:30-31
Some of you reading One Bread, One Body are much more intelligent than I am and know more about the Bible than I do. So why are you reading this? The Lord has arranged that we need other people’s help to understand much of the Bible. For example, the Ethiopian eunuch, the “official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace,” queen of the Ethiopians, was probably much more intelligent than Philip the deacon (Acts 8:27). Yet he couldn’t understand the part of the Bible he was reading without having Philip explain it to him (Acts 8:31). Notably, as an ordained Deacon, Philip taught with the authority of the Church.
Some of you reading this may know little about the Bible. However, the Lord may have chosen you to enlighten those superior to you in intelligence and knowledge of the Bible. The Lord rejoices in the Holy Spirit that what He has “hidden from the learned and the clever” He has revealed to and through the merest children (Lk 10:21)
Therefore, to understand the Bible as well as possible we need to be humble, docile, and willing to learn from others. We also need to realize that the Lord has given us a light on the Scriptures that other people need to see. Therefore, with humility and docility seek the light that the Holy Spirit is shining through others. Then “let your little light shine.”
Prayer: Father, may my humility greatly exceed my intelligence (see Prv 3:5-6). Let Your Word burn in my heart (Lk 24:32).
Promise: “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him; I will raise him up on the last day.” —Jn 6:44
Praise: John and Sarah, who grew up with a home-based community, started one of their own.
Reference: (For a related teaching on How To Teach the Bible view, download or order our booklet on our website.)
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 April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 4, 2024"
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.