# My personal response to scripture
*2016-02-15*

> Bill Young reflects on a reading from Pope Francis's 'Renew Our Hearts,' exploring how to personally engage with the Word of God during Lent.

## Approaching the Word

Today is Monday of the first week of Lent. We are reading from a book called 'Renew Our Hearts,' a personal invitation to Lenten conversion from Pope Francis. The focus today is on our personal response to Scripture, beginning with the call from Jeremiah 10:1: 'Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.'

## Questions for Recollection

When we are in God's presence during a recollected reading of the Gospel text, it is helpful to ask ourselves specific questions. We should ask, 'Lord, what does this text say to me? What about my life do you want me to change because of it?' We can also explore our reactions by asking why certain parts trouble us, why we might not be interested in certain passages, or conversely, what we find pleasant and what moves or attracts us in the Word.

## Overcoming Temptations

When we listen to the Lord, temptations usually arise. One is simply to feel troubled or burdened and to turn away. Another common temptation is to intellectualize the text—thinking about what it means for other people in order to avoid applying it to our own lives. We may even look for excuses to water down the clear meaning of the text.

## A Sincere Step Forward

God always invites us to take a step forward, but He does not demand a full response if we are not yet ready. He only asks that we sincerely look at our lives and present ourselves honestly before Him. He asks that we be willing to continue to grow, requesting from God the strength to achieve what we cannot achieve on our own.

*The goal of reading Scripture is to honestly present ourselves before God and be open to the growth He invites us toward.*