The Charism of SCRIPTURE

By Andy O'Neill, extraction and commentary by Eoin Ó Riain

"The forth element was readily discoverable, as leaders of prayer meetings insist, week-in and week-out, that the foundation of the Charismatic Renewal movement is built, is scripture. Short Scripture readings are part and parcel of the action at prayer meetings. These readings are always received in respectful silence by people who believe that the Lord is speaking to them when his word is sent forth at their meetings. I reflected that this attitude is wholly in the spirit of Vatican II, which endevoured to restore Scripture to its rightful place in the life of Roman Catholics. As regards these Scripture readings, I acknowledge that I grew up in a Catholic tradition which concentrated on the Mass, the Sacramental system and devotion to Mary and the various saints. But the indespensable place of scripture in the life of a Christian was only discovered by me when I became exposed to the renewal.Praying the Scripture was never part of my Catholic tradition and I could not help remembering that my first healing experience occured when a man, rigid with fear and tension, totally relaxed in my hands at the very moment when I prayed the scriptures."

We have now looked at 4 elements of the Charismatic Renewal Prayer Meeting.

In my experience a thirst for the Scriptures is one of the great blessings of these times. Prayerful reading of Scripture can be a great joy and is, I think, incomprehensible to those without this thirst.

Yet it strikes me as self evident that those who desire a personal relationship with God ought at least make themselves familiar with his book.

The New Catechism has quite a lot to say of Scripture (as one would expect). Article 3 of Part 1 (Paragraph 101) is well worth a read This is available on the World Wide Web on http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/profess4.html#SCRIPTURE. Perhaps the quotation of Hugh of St. Victor in the summary at the end says it all. "All Sacred Scripture is but one book, and that one book is Christ, because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ."

Holy Spirit, inspirer of the Scriptures, inspire us with a love of your word. Lead us to the passages which will be of most effacacy in our lives and to an ever greater knowledge of the Father and the Son.

Praise, honor and Glory be to the Triune God. Amen

Extracted with permission from The Power of Charismatic Healing: A Personal Account by Andy ONeill. Copyright 1985; ISBN 0 85342 749 6; Published by the Mercier Press, 5 French Church Street, Cork, Ireland. Telephone: +353 21 275040; Fax: +353 21 274969;

EMail Address: books@mercier.ie