Baguio bishop: Bible knowledge means nothing if not lived

February 6, 2026 – 4:53 PM

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Knowledge and familiarity with the Bible is meaningless if it is not put into practice, a Catholic bishop said Wednesday.

Speaking during Mass at the 26th National Bible Workshop (NBW), Bishop Rafael Cruz of Baguio said Scripture must guide daily life, not just memorized.

“The Bible is for our salvation. It is not meant for memorization,” Cruz said in his homily. “True knowledge of the Bible is how you put it into practice in your life,” said Cruz.

He urged Catholics to see Scripture as a living Word, relevant across generations. “Let us not say the Bible is only for centuries ago. The God who spoke then is the same God who speaks today,” he said.

Cruz also warned against letting Bibles sit idle. He recalled finding them tucked among magazines or hidden on dusty shelves, a sign they had not been read for a long time.

“Let us admit that there are several ways by which we misuse the Bible,” Cruz said.

The NBW is a formation event organized by the Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Held every two years, it gathers Catholic Bible workers, animators, and coordinators from dioceses across the country.

The workshop focuses on biblical formation, study, and skills development, helping participants deepen their understanding of Scripture and improve their teaching, pastoral work, and ministry of spreading God’s Word.