Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
This well-known psalm beautifully describes the psalmist's longing to be in God’s house, the temple in Jerusalem. The pilgrim even sounds jealous of the sparrows and swallows that nest there. Although God was not believed to be ‘confined’ to the temple (1 Kings 8.27) the temple was a place where Israelites expected to encounter God in a special way and to be the central place for worship. The glory of the Lord had filled the temple when it was newly built (1 Kings 8.11) and the Ark of the Covenant housed there was considered the footstool of God’s throne (Psalm 132.7, Numbers 10.35–36).
During lockdown, many Christians have also missed physically attending churches, as a place to encounter God and worship him in a special way. Perhaps many have turned to prayer and the Bible to seek God’s presence at home. There’s a historic precedent for this. One of the great saints of the Church, Saint Jerome, spent much of his life in isolation while he translated the Bible into the common language of the day – Latin. He believed that by reading Scripture we would deepen our relationship with God – his famous quote ‘ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ’ shows this.
Today, 1600 years after his death, happens to be his feast day, so it’s a great opportunity to be thankful for all Bible translators, past and present, who have given us Bible translations in our own languages to enjoy at home.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your presence. Please increase my desire for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
This reflection was written by Katy Dorrer, Catholic Scripture Engagement Officer at Bible Society
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