What we call the Bible was passed along through oral and written traditions, compiled into books at various moments of salvation history, and the Church, aided by the Holy Spirit, established as the canon (rule) of Scripture those books we read and meditate on today.
Without God’s Word, we’d soon lose our identity and our way in a world plagued by ignorance, confusion, and evil. Sacred Scripture continues to ensure that we have access to the Word of God, spoken through all of salvation history, and remain united in the Word of God, Jesus Christ. The Lord blesses us with people who conserve and interpret what God has said to us throughout salvation history.
The Church has long believed that there are multiple senses (meanings) in Sacred Scripture, senses that are not incompatible but, rather, “concordant,” as the Catechism describes it. Concordant means they are in harmony, just as chords are meant to harmonize with each other.
The literal sense is the meaning of the Scripture being considered: what does it literally mean? The study of the literal meaning of Sacred Scripture is called exegesis.
The spiritual sense, which is divided traditionally into three senses (allegorical, moral, and anagogical), acknowledges that the realities and events narrated in Sacred Scripture can be signs that go beyond their literal meaning. It’s not just what Scripture says; it’s also what Scripture signifies.
The allegorical sense of Scripture helps to understand the significance of certain events in Christ. For example, the crossing of the Red Sea, which occurred well before Our Lord’s birth, is a sign or type of Baptism (passing through the waters to be saved) and also Christ’s victory over sin (the de-feat of Pharaoh’s armies through the waters).
The moral sense of Scripture helps us understand how we should live more justly.
The anagogical sense of Scripture shows the meaning of events and realities regarding their eternal significance. For example, the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem as described by John in the Book of Revelation and should lead us to it. While sacred ministers help us know the authentic interpretation of the Word of God in Sacred Scripture, they don’t have a monopoly about learning Sacred Scripture.
There are many good commentaries on Sacred Scripture to help us understand the Word of God more deeply and put it into practice: The Navarre Bible, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, and Catholic Study Bible are just a few examples.
Reading a little of the Word of God daily is important, but seeking a little help in understanding it will help you meditate on it even more fruitfully.