With both of my parents gone, I am especially grateful to my three older brothers. I can turn to them to fill in things I can't recall, and I love hearing them tell stories I was too young to experience.
The year each of us kids got a reel-to-reel tape recorder was huge (not the one shown). Our oldest brother has resurrected some of the recordings, which even include our parents talking. What a treasure!
Family history is important, even if it isn't always as exact as a tape recording. Sometimes stories are simply passed down from memory.
In the Bible, we often have accounts that differ. The writers had different audiences, different writing styles, different fields of vision, and different emphases. We also find rich, oral history that was passed down. No matter which biblical book we are reading, knowing the context of the writings is critical.
Biblical writing is truly inspired by God, but we must remember that the Bible was not handed down to us in book form, like an instruction manual.
In the Bible, God reveals himself to us, and we have varied opportunities to learn his ways--ways we try to take to heart.
But, again, it was not handed to us, all leather bound and organized in book form. Check out this LINK for a very short, clear explanation of how the Bible came about. (https://www.catholic.com/qa/who-compiled-the-bible-and-when)
The sacred history of the Word of God, whether inscribed in the Bible or passed down through Oral Tradition, is to be cherished and followed.
I hope as you move through Lent, that you can learn more about the Bible and listen carefully to what God might have to say to you.
Janet Cassidy
Email me at: jmctm2@gmail.com
janetcassidy.com
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