Dear friends,

The month of January was declared by the Philippine government as National Bible Month under Proclamation No. 124 signed last January 5, 2017. The proclamation states, “it is fitting and proper that national attention be focused on the important role being played by reading and study of the Bible in molding the moral fiber of our society.” Previously, President Fidel V. Ramos in Presidential Proclamation No. 1067 urged that “national attention be focused in the importance of reading and studying the Bible in molding the spiritual, moral, and social fiber of our citizenry.”

In coordination with the Philippine Bible Society, the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education will conduct the National Bible Week on January 22 to 28, 2018.

In the Bible, the term Holy Scriptures is used to signify the written Law, Prophets and the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Songs…). Later when the Gospels, Letters of Paul and writings of other Apostles were canonized, the term Holy Scriptures now includes the Old and New Testaments.

But have you noticed the term “Word of God”? John 1 tells us that “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Word of God is Jesus Christ.

In the book of Acts (4:31, 6:7, 12:24, 13:5) and other verses, it was recorded that they boldly proclaimed the “Word of God,” and that the “Word of God” spread. The “Word of God” that the Apostles were proclaiming is Jesus Christ.

Let us continue in reading the Bible because the Bible contains the Word of God — Jesus Christ. More than the reading, we must remember to live out all that Jesus has commanded us to do.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director
Office of Communications
Central Philippine University