Sharing the Word of God at Home
This weekend, the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Word of God, an annual observance established by Pope Francis in 2019 and celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. This day invites us to deepen our love for Sacred Scripture and to recognize the living presence of Christ in the Word of God proclaimed in the liturgy. Pope Francis instituted this celebration to encourage all the faithful, pastors, lectors, catechists, families, and individuals alike to listen more attentively to the Scriptures, to pray with them, and to allow God’s Word to shape daily Christian life. The Bible is not merely a book from the past; it is the living Word through which God continues to speak to His people today. Our Catholic faith calls us to bring the treasures of Scripture not only to Mass, but into the daily life of the family home. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds us that while many families own a Bible, few regularly read it together. Yet, as St. Jerome famously taught, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Praying with Scripture at home can become a true feast for the soul and a source of grace for the whole family. Here are just a few simple ways to bring God’s Word into family life:
- Set aside a weekly time for a brief Scripture reading and reflection.
- Choose a quiet, distraction-free place to read aloud and share reflections together.
- Use age-appropriate Bible stories and resources to help children engage with the Word.
Incorporate prayer with Scripture, such as family lectio divina (i.e., spiritual reading) or even the Liturgy of the Hours.
Throughout all of this, the goal should be to allow the Word of God to be living and effective in everyday life—transforming not only what we know, but how we live, as families called to be the “domestic Church.” There are many tools and resources available to support us in this mission, including The Word Among Us devotional; digital apps such as those from Ascension Press and Hallow; and books by popular Catholic authors like Mary Healy, Brant Pitre, and Edward Sri. In the week ahead, consider exploring one or more of these resources to help deepen your engagement with God’s Word.
Let’s close with a prayer: Holy Family of Nazareth—Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph—we entrust our home and family life to you. Help us to place Sacred Scripture at the heart of our daily living. Through the light of the Holy Spirit, open our minds to understand God’s Word and our hearts to live it with faith and love. May the Scriptures come alive among us, guiding our choices, strengthening our unity, and drawing us ever closer to our Almighty and All-Loving God. Holy Family, pray for us. Amen.