Reflecting on Verbum Domini (The Word of the Lord), the latest Apostolic Exhortation issued by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, the Most Rev Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool said:
“None of us, who were blest by the wisdom that shone through Pope Benedict’s words during his days among us, will be surprised by the wisdom of this reflection. Once more we see that sound-bites cannot do justice to his teaching as he invites each one of us to commit ourselves to a journey of prayer, reflection, discernment and renewal before God who is ‘in all his words most wonderful.’
“I find myself confirmed in two practices to which I seek to be faithful: the first, going back to 1955, to give priority to reading each day a chapter from the Gospels and one from another book in the New Testament; the second, to be faithful to the Lectionary, the cycle of readings that opens for us ‘the whole counsel of God’ (Acts 20:27), not just favourite passages. That custom is even my starting point for funerals and special occasions. Everything finds its home, context and depth within the purposes of God, who ‘has made know to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things one earth.’ Ephesians 1:9-10“
Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic exhortation “Verbum Domini” released
