Some see a waning interest in the scriptures in our church in the United States. That’s regrettable, because we need their wisdom more than ever. Lent, which begins next week, may be a good time to try listening to God’s word.

Our lectionary, with extensive readings from the New Testament and the Jewish scriptures, was created after the Second Vatican Council to bring the treasures of the scriptures to the people of God. Have they found that treasure? Have the scriptures become our daily school? Has biblical prayer become our prayer? 

I don’t think so.

When we do look at the lectionary– if we do at all–I think most settle on the gospel reading and the words and actions of Jesus. At times, even the gospels can be hard to grasp, for sure, and the Old Testament readings can be even harder. Our lectionary readings these days from the Old Testament are about the rise and fall of Salomon . Today, the Queen of Sheba praised Solomon as the wisest man in the world. (1 Kings 10, 1-10)  Tomorrow God condemns him for letting his wives set up places of worship competing with the God of Israel. (1 Kings 11, 4-13) 

The Jewish scriptures were not only a prayerbook for Jesus; they pointed to his life and mission. “Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. “(Luke 24,27) The crowds acclaimed him: “ Never has anyone spoken like this man.” Jesus spoke to them from the scriptures, and he promises to speak to us from them too. .

If we search enough we can find wisdom in the scriptures. The Jewish scriptures and the Christian scriptures belong together. In both God promises life.