January 23 Sunday Word of God January 22, the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God. A day that instituted by Pope Francis on September 30, 2019, with the signing of the Apostolic Letter in the form of "Motu proprio" Opened to them, in order to dedicate a Sunday completely to the Word of God.
The Spanish Episcopal Conference joins every year to the celebration of this day and animates its celebration with the publication of the materials produced by the Biblical Pastoral area of the Commission for Evangelization, Catechesis and Catechumenate. This yearIn addition, it is provided a novelty: within the framework of this celebration and taking into account that January 27 is the feast of San Enrique de Ossó, patron saint of Spanish catechists, It is proposed to dedicate these days to raise awareness about the responsibility of the parish community in catechesis.
The Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word on January 22
The Spanish Episcopal Conference joins every year to the celebration of this day and animates its celebration with the publication of the materials produced by the Biblical Pastoral area of the Commission for Evangelization, Catechesis and Catechumenate. This yearIn addition, it is provided a novelty: within the framework of this celebration and taking into account that January 27 is the feast of San Enrique de Ossó, patron saint of Spanish catechists, It is proposed to dedicate these days to raise awareness about the responsibility of the parish community in catechesis.
Thus, this year, to the materials for the Sunday of the Word of God, other documents are added to disseminate the figure of San Enrique de Ossó and the importance of catechists in the life of the Church.
A Sunday so that it affects the whole year
The bishop responsible for the area of Biblical Pastoral, Msgr. Julian Ruiz Martorell, sign the Sunday presentation of the Word of God. The prelate recalls in his writing that the Pope instituted this Sunday so that it would have repercussions throughout the year: «The day dedicated to the Bible must not be "once a year", but once for the whole year, because we urgently need to have familiarity and intimacy with the Holy Scripture and with the Risen One., which does not cease to break the Word and the bread in the community of believers. For this we need to engage in a constant deal of familiarity with Holy Scripture, otherwise the heart remains cold and the eyes remain closedafflicted as we are by countless forms of blindness."
It also highlights the desire of the Holy Father to may this Sunday “encourage religious and assiduous familiarity with Sacred Scripture among the People of God, as the sacred author already taught in ancient times: this Word “is very close to you: in your heart and in your mouth, so that you fulfill it”.
How to read the Word of God? lectio divina method
lectio divina is an ancient practice that teaches to read, meditate and live a text of the Word of God through a very simple method that consists of following several steps. Among the materials that have been published this year are proposed three outlines of lectio divina: The first for children, based on the responsorial psalm; the second for young people, based on the text of the first Letter to the Corinthians; and the third for adults, from the gospel text.
With these schemes, it will be possible to follow the process of lectio divina. As a preliminary step, the sign of the cross is made, and after a moment of silence, the Preparation Prayer.
Let's get started: step by step guide
- Reading of the Word of God: what does the text say? We read the text as many times as necessary until we fully understand what is said in it. You have to do a leisurely reading. This moment is of the utmost importance. It is necessary to understand what the Word narrates.
- What is God saying to me with this text? After another reading we stop to ask ourselves what the Lord has told us through the text. It is the time to deepen the Word of God to welcome it within us. God when he inspired the author wanted to speak to men. We try to discover the divine message contained in the text: what is the Lord saying to me? What particular message does God want to convey to me? We take the time necessary to find out. We do it with serenity and peace.
- Not. Talk to God about what He has communicated to you. Talk to the Lord about what you have discovered in this text. You can, if necessary and you want to express it, thank him, ask for forgiveness, praise him, adore him, make a request... tell him everything that is in your heart. Tell him honestly.
- Contemplation: remain silent for a few moments in the presence of God. Do not say anything. Just put your thoughts and your affections on the Lord.
- Action: It is time to specify what the Lord wants you to live from what he has told you. You don't have to set many purposes. He tries to specify and decides to carry out an action or at most two. See how you can put it into practice in your real and concrete life.
- We end with a closing prayer of thanksgiving: Give thanks to the Lord for this lectio divina that you have lived.
Disseminate the Word of God and ecumenical value
Pope I entrust all the sick and their families to the intercession of Mary instituted this Conference September 30th of 2019 with the signing of the Paper The apostolic form of "Proper Motu" has opened to them. The Pontiff proposes this Sunday dedicated to the celebration, reflection and dissemination of the Word of God:
January 26, 2022
In addition, the celebration has been made to coincide with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. A time “in which we are invited to strengthen ties with the Jews and to pray for Christian unity. It is not a mere temporary coincidence: celebrating the Sunday of the Word of God expresses an ecumenical value, because the Holy Scripture indicates to those who put themselves in an attitude of listening the path to follow to reach an authentic and solid unity”.