The Bible Diary

I have been using a Bible Diary, one of the books that tell me the Mass readings for the past so many years. This Bible Diary changes every year. Despite the mushrooming of mobile apps such as Laudate and Halo, I still feel the comfort and absorption of the Word when going through the readings for Mass the night before, and of possible, once more just before the daily  Mass.  This method helps me internalise the Word that I hear read out during the Mass, and also explained during the homily.

There are indeed many Bible apps and classes, including a weekly Bible study that I am part off, but I find I am unable to retain the knowledge gained there for long.  The cares of the world seem to take the learnings away fast.  The daily readings on the other hand, seem to stay with me during the day, and come to me in moments of need during the day.

For example, today’s Gospel reading was “Ask and you shall receive,,” and I asked for a peaceful resolution to a stressful situation at work, during the Mass, and by day’s end, seem to have got it.

What is the purpose of this article you might ask? We each have different ways of assimilating the Word of God. The next few lines reveal the purpose of this article to you.

This year I was unable to get the Bible Diarybook from all the bookstores I visited in early January.  We got sold out in October, the nun book-keeper told me one.  I was a bit frustrated thinking why did they not print more.  Finally, after a desperate search all over the city, could locate one copy. Phew!

It was great to go through the readings for the Mass from this book, just like I was used too.  A trip abroad for a couple of weeks saw me taking this book along with me and catching the online daily Mass wherever I was.  My last stop of the tour, my sister’s place in Virginia, USA, I decided to leave this book for her.

On my return to India, I miss this book, attending Mass without leafing through the readings ahead seem different to me.  Desperate I visit a book store one sunny Saturday morning.  I tell the nun book keeper that I am looking for this particular book. We are all sold out, and sadly I am about to leave the store, when the tinkling of the bell announces a visitor to the store.

A lady walks in , we look at each other and simultaneously ask, what are you doing here?  We are familiar with each other, though we do not even know each other’s names, or even anything about each other.  Only this. We are daily Churchgoers at the same Mass, every day. She occupies the last pew, and I occupy the one just in front.  It is kind of like a habit, we end up wishing each other the sign of peace almost every day.

I explain to her my predicament and she immediately says that she has an extra copy, an unopened Bible diary at home.  Are you coming for Mass on Monday, she asks.  I nod.  I will get the book for you she says. I am so grateful. It seems almost like a minor miracle to both of us, as well as to the nun book keeper. What are the odds of us meeting at that every instance!

That is how, on a Monday morning last week, just before Mass, a book containing the bible readings comes to my possession.  It is the exact same one I gave my sister!

I guess this incident reveals to me that sharing one’s possession with the other will always leave one richer for the experience.

Thank you Lord for this experience that shows me it is always good to give.  In giving, we shall receive.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap Luke 6:38.