The Catechism notes that pride is a “capital” sin, meaning that it leads to other sin and vices (1866). I discovered this last week in the liturgy of the Word during the Sunday mass when I realized how lax I had become in listening to and focusing on the Scripture readings. I have a Masters degree in theology and have read the Bible and Bible commentaries numerous times; I even teach Scripture. Consequently, I’ve found myself drifting during the readings in the mass because I already “knew the stories” and with great pride, even if subconsciously, felt I had little more to learn. This approach may work if the Bible is simply great literature, but it is so much more. The Catechism notes:

In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, “but as what it really is, the word of God”. “In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them. (104)

and

And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life. (131)

These amazing words from the Church certainly don’t describe my recent experiences during the mass. The Catechism describes the reading and hearing of Scripture as a conversation with God. I, on the other hand, felt that since I had studied the texts in depth, I had no need for further conversation. I had shut off the working of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures in my life because I had a theology degree. Rather than becoming food for the soul and a source of my spiritual life, Scripture had become an academic exercise, something I knew of, but had little impact in my life. I certainly believe in the academic study of the Bible, but it must always be in concert with the truth that the Bible is the book of the Church and her members.

Fortunately, as Catholics, we are confronted with the Bible every single week. The Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword and it can cut through any level of pride or whatever else gets in the way of receiving the grace God wants to give us through the Bible. Each week God is talking to us through the Scriptures. What hinders us from listening?