diff --git a/lib/services/bible_xml_parser.dart b/lib/services/bible_xml_parser.dart
index a5e7ab2..e5607bf 100644
--- a/lib/services/bible_xml_parser.dart
+++ b/lib/services/bible_xml_parser.dart
@@ -1,7 +1,13 @@
 import 'package:flutter/services.dart' show rootBundle;
+import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:xml/xml.dart';
 import '../models/scripture.dart'; // Assuming Scripture model might need BibleTranslation
 
+// Helper for background XML parsing
+XmlDocument parseXmlString(String xml) {
+  return XmlDocument.parse(xml);
+}
+
 class BibleXmlParser {
   // Map of common Bible book names to their standard abbreviations or keys used in XML
   // This will help in matching references like "Matthew 11:28" to XML structure.
@@ -56,7 +62,7 @@ class BibleXmlParser {
     
     print('Loading and parsing XML asset: $assetPath'); // Debug log
     final String xmlString = await rootBundle.loadString(assetPath);
-    final document = XmlDocument.parse(xmlString);
+    final document = await compute(parseXmlString, xmlString);
     _xmlCache[assetPath] = document;
     return document;
   }