The Bible
The Bible is the Word of God, transmitted by authors inspired by the Holy Spirit and received by the Church. It recounts the history of salvation, from creation to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
It brings together books of various genres: narratives, laws, prayers, prophetic words, wisdom texts, Gospels, apostolic letters, and other writings. All bear witness to God’s action in history and lead us to an ever-deeper encounter with Christ.
For Catholics, Scripture is read within the Church’s living Tradition. It doesn’t set out to explain how the natural world works, or to record events the way a modern history book would; it reveals God’s plan for humanity and sheds light on our lives today.
“Your word is a light for my steps, a lamp for my path.”
Ps 119:105
Where to start?
- The Gospel according to Saint Mark: brief and direct.
- The Gospel according to Saint Luke: rich in encounters and parables.
- The Acts of the Apostles: to discover the beginnings of the Church.
- The Psalms: to learn to pray with the full range of human emotions.
How to read the Bible?
There are several ways to read the Bible. Catholics encounter it through the liturgy, personal prayer, Lectio Divina (a reflective, prayerful reading of Scripture), in Bible-sharing groups, or through study. Whatever approach is chosen, the important thing is to read the Word of God with an open heart and allow oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
To begin, it is often recommended to read a Gospel, such as that of Saint Mark or Saint Luke, and to meditate regularly on short passages, rather than attempting to read everything at once.
Three simple questions can guide your reading
Reading the Bible is not solely about acquiring knowledge. It helps us encounter Christ, grow in faith, and put the Gospel into practice.
- What does the text say?
- What does it reveal to me about God and the human person?
- What response or action might this Word inspire today?
Praying with the Bible: Lectio Divina
- Read: welcome the passage just as it is
- Meditate: let a word speak to your own life
- Pray: respond to God in your own words
- Contemplate: remain in silence for a few moments
- Act: choose a concrete action inspired by the Word
When a text seems difficult, it is better to consult an introduction, a biblical note, or a reliable Catholic resource rather than isolating a single sentence from its context.
Ouvrir les Écritures (Opening the Scriptures)
Ouvrir les Écritures is a biblical introduction course that helps people discover the Old and New Testaments and better understand the unity of the Bible. It can be followed individually, in a parish setting, in a sharing group, or as part of a formation program.
This resource can be useful for:
- Discovering the general structure of the Bible
- Placing major narratives within the history of salvation
- Understanding the main literary genres
- Making connections between the Old and New Testaments
- Gaining a basic understanding before joining a Bible study group