Here is part of today’s Gospel, from St Luke: ‘And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read …’

St Ambrose commented: ‘Scripture speaks of Jesus himself as God and man, perfect in both natures. It speaks of the Father and the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is shown as Christ’s partner when he descends in bodily shape as a dove on Christ, when the Son of God was baptised in the river, and when the Father spoke from heaven. So what greater testimony to us who are weak than that Christ signified with his own voice that he himself spoke by the prophets?’

As this new year begins to unfold, let us ensure, as far as in us lies, that our lives are established upon the firm rock of Sacred Scripture. Here we will find all that we need, along with the sacraments of the Church, to nurture our soul. May we ‘read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest …’ and may God bless you in so doing.