My First Encounter with the Bible

My First Encounter with the Bible

By Abba Jimmy

Do you remember the first time you opened the Bible? When and where did it happen? And Why?

Our contact, or lack thereof, with the Bible, depends on many factors. For example, culture, the family of origin, and the predominant religious environment where we grow up. But another factor goes beyond the culture and religion surrounding us as we grow up. And that is curiosity.

If you are a little bit like I am, I first opened the Bible out of curiosity. I grew up in a Christian- Catholic-non-religious environment. So, there came a time in my teenage years, the period of our lives when most of us wanted to know who we are, and what is the purpose of our being here? Also, at this time, we look for role models, and the ones that impress us the most are the actors, sports players, and musicians we have seen. Then we choose the ones with whom we identify and believe that our identity is so strongly connected to them. My first hero was “Kaliman, El Hombre Increible.” Later on, I shifted my admiration to The Beatles, then Bruce Lee, and then one day I discovered Mahatma Gandhi — From him, I moved on to Iñigo, later known as Ignatius of Loyola. This last hero led me to a man that captivated my imagination, and I needed to know who this man was. That is when I opened the Bible for the first time. Of course, I opened the Bible many times when I was a kid who did not know how to read yet. But this time, I was curious. I had a hunger, and I wanted to know who God is. But more than that, I wanted to have an encounter — a personal experience with God. It is just like when you and I are eager to have a real encounter with the hero we most admire.

While I write this article, I do not know who will read it since I will publish it on social media. Perhaps you are a young person, or maybe not that young, who wants to try. Now, there are many editions of the Bible out there. If you do not want to spend money, you can visit a public library and check one out. I can recommend the New Revised Standard Version — Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE), the Douay-Rheims Bible, the New American Bible (NAB), the Revised Standard Version — Catholic Edition (RSVCE), and the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB). If you speak Spanish and are young, I recommend “La Biblia Católica para Jóvenes.”

Now that you have a Bible in your hands, you can read a portion daily. For example, open your Bible to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 3, verses 1 to 12 (Mat 3:1–12). Read on. This is the portion of the Gospel that we read on the second Sunday of Advent.

Here is a method that I use: First, I identify the characters. In this case, we encounter John the Baptist, the Prophet Isaiah, the Pharisees and Sadducees, and Abraham. Wow! That is a lot of people in the story. Second, I identify the theme or drama of the story. What is this story about? What is going on? Is there tension? Is it an easy-going story? From what we read, we see that John appeared preaching about “repentance.” Wow! He screams with all his might: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Third, I identify the geographical location and the historical moment when there is one. Well, this is becoming complicated! This short passage from the Bible contains more than we can digest in a short period. And it looks like we will need some help to unwrap it. But where and how can we find help? We may know someone, a relative, or a friend who can point us in the right direction. Now we are dealing with what Bible scholars call “biblical interpretation.” If there is no one to help, read the passage two or three times and read the commentaries in the footnotes. And keep trying every day. Understanding the message of the Bible is like learning a new language or learning to play a musical instrument. We need to practice every day.

A fourth thing I do is identify the nouns that are mentioned. In this case, they are what we call theological concepts. So, for example, in addition to speaking about repentance, John also talks about the kingdom of heaven, the Holy Spirit, baptism with water, baptism with the Holy Spirit, and baptism with fire. We can also research all these concepts in an excellent reputable Catholic encyclopedia.

In the short passage we have read (Mat 3:1–12), there are hints of a universal call to improve one’s behavior. Nowadays, the voice and the message of John the Baptism will inevitably collide with modern moral relativism. These are topics relevant to the message of John the Baptist: such as moral relativism and subjectivism. And there, we will find arguments for and against. However, the weight of Christian reasoning and argumentation is worth studying and considering before dismissing a topic as irrelevant.

To gain a deeper understanding of moral relativism, I recommend Veritas Splendor. In it, Pope John Paul II wrote: “THE SPLENDOUR OF TRUTH shines forth in all the works of the Creator and, especially, in man, created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26). Truth enlightens man’s intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord. Hence the Psalmist prays: Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord (Ps 4:6).” [1].

And in Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI writes: “Charity in Truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. Love — Caritas — is an extraordinary force that leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth.” [2].

[1]: https://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_jp02vs.htm

[2]: https://www.newadvent.org/library/caritas-in-veritate.htm