Special Series from Little Rock Scripture Study
The Little Rock Scripture Study staff of the Diocese of Little Rock, the Catholic Church in Arkansas, is developing a 13-part series of columns marking the Catholic Church's year dedicated to St. Paul. Bookmark this page to follow this series.
Message from Bishop McCormack on the Year of Saint Paul
Our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has declared a jubilee year in honor of the 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth. This year long commemoration extends from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009.
From the fourth century, Saint John Chrysostom provides us a model for the proper appreciation of Paul and his letters. He himself wrote many commentaries on Paul’s writings. Reflecting on the use of Paul’s letters in the liturgy, he writes: “As I keep hearing the epistles of Blessed Paul read…., gladly do I enjoy the spiritual trumpet, and get roused and warmed with desire at recognizing the voice so dear to me, and seem to fancy him all but present to my sight, and behold him conversing with me.”
May this year of St. Paul help us to appreciate more deeply this towering apostle. May our thoughts and study and prayer lead us to hear him speaking to us as he did long ago to the Philippians: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:3-5).
