[Editor's Note: Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from Pope Benedict XVI and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. The reflections below seek to illuminate the Holy Father's concerns.]

General Intention

Hearing God's Word. That the Word of God may be ever more listened to, contemplated, loved, and lived.

What forms the values of a Christian?  In one evening the average U.S. Christian spends more time watching television than he or she spends reading the Bible the entire rest of the week.

Jesus said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God" (Mat. 4:4). The Catechism of the Catholic Church declares that "the Church … never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God's Word and Christ's Body" (103).

But many of us fear the Bible, we tune it out, and we allow others to experience it for us. We don't feed on it as Jesus did. Reading the Bible strengthens faith. Jesus himself quoted Scripture to defeat the devil's temptations. But the greatest value of Bible reading is that it brings us close to Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Recently the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI had chosen "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church" as the theme for the 2008 Synod. Italian Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini commented that the Scriptures have always been close to the heart of the Holy Father because "the church is born of the Word of God" and "renews itself, regenerates itself every time it returns to the Word."

The Word of God also renews us in our personal journeys. When we open the Scriptures, we open ourselves to God's regenerating power. The Catechism puts it simply: "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them" (104).

We pray that the Word of God may be ever more listened to, contemplated, loved, and lived — starting with ourselves.

For Reflection

What did Saint Jerome mean when he said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ"?

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:14-16       Scriptures impart wisdom.

Hebrews 4:12-13         The Word of God is living.

Mission Intention

Lay Formation. That the training of catechists and lay people may be the constant concern of those responsible for the young Churches.

In October 2006 Pope Benedict XVI urged the bishops of Ireland to "emphasize the Good News, the life-giving and life-enhancing message of the Gospel. Even though it is necessary to speak out strongly against the evils that threaten us, we must correct the idea that Catholicism is merely ‘a collection of prohibitions.'"

What's needed, said the Pope, is "careful formation of the heart." 

The Holy Father spoke of the importance of basing formation on the Catechism. He asked educators, lay and religious, to exercise "vigilance over the quality of the syllabuses and the course books used" and to proclaim "the Church's doctrine in its entirety." He exhorted catechists to avoid "superficial presentations of Catholic teaching … because only the fullness of the faith can communicate the liberating power of the Gospel."

Well-trained catechists are essential both inside and outside of Catholic schools, for adults as well as children, and for established as well as new churches.

In a recent African address, the Pontiff asked bishops to "Continue to guide [people] with true fatherly care towards a deeper knowledge of their Crucified and Risen Lord, always providing them with sound catechesis in the faith. To this end, it is important that teachers and catechists receive good preparation for their noble task since, as you know, they play a vital part in helping the bishop to carry out his responsibility as the one who teaches with Christ's authority. Hence they should be well formed in the faith and able to communicate both the joy and the challenge of following Christ."

We join together in asking God to fill all catechists with knowledge, skill, and joy worthy of telling the great Good News of Christ.

For Reflection

When have you experienced catechesis that changed your life?

Scripture

Romans 10:14-15          How can people preach unless they are sent?   

2 Timothy 4:1-5            Encourage through all patience and teaching.     

Daily Offering Prayer

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

Prayer of the Month

Lord God,
source of all wisdom and knowledge,
you sent your Son, Jesus Christ,
to live among us and to proclaim his message
of faith, hope, and love to all nations.
In your goodness
bless our brothers and sisters
who have offered themselves
as catechists for your Church.
Strengthen them with your gifts
that they may teach by word and example
the truth which comes from you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
(from Book of Blessings)