“Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ”.
– St Jerome
Amongst the courses for Allen Hall’s first-year seminarians, is the introduction to scripture course; taught by the reverend Dr Father Javier Ruiz-Ortiz. The 1st disciples (as we call them) embarked on a journey to the British Museum where they came face to face with artefacts that add layers of depth to Biblical History. Typically, the first and second years of seminary courses are focused on philosophical studies before moving on to theology in the latter years, and so this course is warmly welcomed as a flavour of what’s to come. It’s also customary for the students to receive a guided tour from Fr Javier who expertly guides them through the Mesopotamian eras of the Ancient Near East.
As St Jerome fittingly stated above, we often find that our ignorance of Christ extends beyond the books of the Bible and into our own lives. Many saintly examples and personal encounters have since demonstrated the truth of St Jerome’s words as many are shaking off their ignorance and putting on Christ (Romans 13:14). To minister the Word to others means understanding how salvation is revealed to us as St Augustine taught that the New Testament lies in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New (CCC 129). The study of Sacred Scripture coupled with Holy Tradition has always been invaluable to the prayer and life of Christ’s Body, the Church. And she will continue to form her priests with scripture as their backbone.
Interestingly, the Liturgy of the Divine Office contains a large portion of scripture outside the repeated psalms and canticles. So in addition to the grace of God, calling his Church to unify in prayer, the faithful are also exposed to much of scripture. Within these words is The Word. Who was born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, one full of grace, by the Holy Spirit. In this way, Scripture is born from the womb of the Church, by the same Spirit.1 And brings forth the ‘Good News’, the Gospel.
Holy Mary Mother of God – Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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- Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI, paragraph 19 ↩︎