Reading the Bible should be approached differently than reading any other book. Theologians suggest beginning your Bible study with a prayer to open your heart to God’s Word and ending with another asking God to allow what you read to impact the way you live. They also suggest not rushing through the passages, but taking the time to prayerfully meditate on the words you are reading to understand how they relate to our time and your life. Finally, you don’t need to read the Bible alone. Join a Catholic Bible study group in your parish or community, find an app you like to read along with friends, or even take a quiz through the USCCB site for a playful twist on learning.
The Epiphany of the Lord, which in 2025 will be celebrated on Jan. 5 in the United States, celebrates the revelation to the Gentiles that Jesus is the Son of God through the visit of the Magi, or Three Wise Men. In the Eastern tradition where the feast originated, Epiphany – or Theophany as it is called there – commemorates the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana. In the Western Church, the celebration primarily focuses on the visit of the Magi. As the rest of the world all-too-rapidly moves past the beauty of Christmas, Epiphany gives us more time to reflect on how Jesus is made manifest in our own homes and lives.