Some of us have been reading the Bible and the teaching on the eucharistic readings in this book, One Bread, One Body, almost every day for fifteen years. Many of us have heard God's word at Sunday Mass or at other times for twenty, fifty, or even seventy years. Some of us have even read through the Bible. However, the question is not: "How many times have we been through the Bible?" but "How many times has the Bible been through us?" On Judgment Day, we will not be accountable for how much of the Bible we know but for how much of it we have lived. However, we have a much better opportunity to live the Bible if we have tried to know it. Consequently, the words of St. Jerome are true: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."

If someone didn't know you, would they, by observing you, come to the conclusion that you believe that the teaching of the Church, especially as contained in the Bible, is not merely "the word of men, but...truly is, the word of God at work within you who believe?" (1 Thes 2:13) Abide in God's word (Jn 8:31), do God's word (Jas 1:22), and make any sacrifice to share God's word (see 2 Tm 4:2). Only then will our lives proclaim "loud and clear" that the Church's teaching and the Bible are "the word of the Lord."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 22, 1999

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 24, 1999