Are Catholics encouraged to read the Bible?

[Markie_Boy]

Having an active family life can make setting aside time for prayer and Scripture reading difficult, so when you have the time you may want to combine them by practicing Lectio Divina, which is praying with Scripture. After a while you find yourself praying automatically while reading Scripture–it becomes second nature, as it were.

Also, getting kids ready for school and other ordinary daily tasks IS prayer, if we offer up such activities to God. It’s a way to keep St. Paul’s admonition to “pray always.”

Amen! You guys are an easy bunch to love - often looking beyond the “scripture says” black and white that I do find in the Sola Scriptura perspective some times.

Thank you and have a blessed day! I’ll check the recommended link too!

 

[Bookcat]

Amen!

Hopefully post 39 and 41 helped answer your question.

Just making sure you did not miss em…

 

[Della]

Amen! You guys are an easy bunch to love - often looking beyond the “scripture says” black and white that I do find in the Sola Scriptura perspective some times.

Having once been a prisoner of the SS strait jacket myself, I am happy to help others untie theirs, as well, although, I didn’t have that in mind when I recommended Lectio Divina and daily work as prayer.

Thank you and have a blessed day! I’ll check the recommended link too!

You’re very welcome, and a blessed day and Christmas Season to you and yours. I hope you find the link helpful. :tiphat:

 

[AmbroseSJ]

exnihilo:

I wonder what do you think is the reason you should read scripture each day? And, is it more important to read scripture each day or to pray each day?

What an excellent question!

It has often been said the reading the Scripture IS praying! Why? Because praying is talking to God. Reading Scripture is LISTENING to God. We all know talkers that never listen! That should not be us.

BTW, reading Scripture (especially the Psalms) helps enormously WITH prayer.

So, in conclusion, I would think there is just no good reason to skip reading some Scripture every day, any more than skipping daily prayer.

 

[Bookcat]

I wonder what do you think is the reason you should read scripture each day? And, is it more important to read scripture each day or to pray each day?

I know it was directed at the other persons reasons…

But here is one of Pope Benedict XVI ’ s answers

“…is also important to set aside a certain period each day for meditation on the
Bible, so that the word of God may be a light that illumines our daily pilgrimage
on earth.”

~ Pope Benedict XVI

As to what is more important - it is a both are important without omitting the other.

And reading scripture can already be prayer (especially if as lectio).

 

[saellis]

Most of the penances I have received in Reconciliation were Scripture reading.

 

[zz912]

Others may have mentioned it, but the answer is YES, and quite emphatically are Catholics encouraged to read scripture.

In fact, there have been for centuries, indulgences tied to reading scripture. The Church thinks it is so important that she has bestowed the merits of indulgences to those who read scripture.

 

[spina1953]

As a child in the late 50’s and early 60’s in Catholic’s school, we were always encouraged to read the Bible. I do know in many of the parishes I lived in there was no Bible study groups to speak of. It had always been my understanding that as Catholic’s were to read the Bible Everyday if possible. I to think now in a lot of parishes Bible study groups are now created but still I think more parishes need to have them as Its quite helpful in understanding our Catholic faith.

 

[Memaw]

Others may have mentioned it, but the answer is YES, and quite emphatically are Catholics encouraged to read scripture.

In fact, there have been for centuries, indulgences tied to reading scripture. The Church thinks it is so important that she has bestowed the merits of indulgences to those who read scripture.

Since the protestant reformation, there has been so much confusion in reading scripture and falsely interpreting it, that the Church cautioned against that. Look where that has gotten the protestants!! Thousands of different denominations that can’t agree with it’s meaning. They have no real authority guiding them and I don’t think it is the Holy Spirit causing such confusion. I am sooo thankful to have the Catholic Church to guide me and to show me the beautiful value of all the Church’s teaching. God Bless, Memaw

 

[grannymh]

I recently asked our local priest after mass, when he prays that “my sacrifice and yours be made an acceptable offering”, what the “yours” part of the sacrifice was. He had no idea or answer. If you pray without knowing what you are praying, is that not vein repetition?

I cannot get my idea of the “yours” part to work properly.

However, through the prayers of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are participating through prayer, including listening, all the way to the Eucharistic Prayer which gives us the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.

“When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim Your Death, O Lord, until You come again.” Reception of Holy Communion is our participation in the Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Glossary, Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice, page 891.)

 

[exnihilo]

Great points! I feel sometimes that I have to choose. My reading and prayer time is mostly if I wake up early enough before the kids. If I sleep a little more or they get up early - my time goes bye-bye.

If I was disciplined enough I’d get up even earlier, or make sure to make it up later - and so some days I don’t do as well as I’d like.

More to the point - one without the other seems less effective to me. If my prayer is there, I seen to connect with scripture better. If I only read scripture, it seems more like text book thank conversation.

I have terrible problems being consistent with reading scripture and praying. I do think this is where devotionals can help by tying them together. As for a text book it absolutely can seem like that especially when reading some of the first books in the Old Testament.

What an excellent question!

It has often been said the reading the Scripture IS praying! Why? Because praying is talking to God. Reading Scripture is LISTENING to God. We all know talkers that never listen! That should not be us.

BTW, reading Scripture (especially the Psalms) helps enormously WITH prayer.

So, in conclusion, I would think there is just no good reason to skip reading some Scripture every day, any more than skipping daily prayer.

I’ve heard this comparison before and it is a good one.

I know it was directed at the other persons reasons…

But here is one of Pope Benedict XVI ’ s answers

“…is also important to set aside a certain period each day for meditation on the
Bible, so that the word of God may be a light that illumines our daily pilgrimage
on earth.”

~ Pope Benedict XVI

As to what is more important - it is a both are important without omitting the other.

And reading scripture can already be prayer (especially if as lectio).

A key point in Pope Benedict’s answer is meditation. It is one thing to read text and another to truly reflect on it. I really like the scriptural rosary as it really helps me to reflect on the details of the mysteries.

 

[Church_Militant]

I cannot get my idea of the “yours” part to work properly.

However, through the prayers of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we are participating through prayer, including listening, all the way to the Eucharistic Prayer which gives us the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.

“When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim Your Death, O Lord, until You come again.” Reception of Holy Communion is our participation in the Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Glossary, Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice, page 891.)

We had a great homily on just exactly that a while back and Fr. Grebe pointed out that this Eucharistic prayer is really straight from the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 12 and verse 1 which plainly tells us.’[1] I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

He pointed out that that Eucharistic prayer, in obedience to to scripture calls us all to join in and consecrate our very selves as living sacrifices as we receive Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Not only do we partake of that Eucharistic miracle but we also are miraculously joined to Jesus and He works by the Holy Spirit to make us ever more like unto Himself so that we really do “take up our cross daily and follow Him.”

Notice also that St. Paul says that this is “your spiritual worship” which certainly fits in with our participation in Mass.

Of course we are encouraged to read the Bible and Markie I encourage you to copy this post and take it to that dear priest for future reference.

I would also point out that all my surveys of Catholics and n-Cs here on CAF have shown that everyone feels they need to be reading the Bible more than they do.

I recommend that everyone on this thread make a commitment this coming year to read the entire Bible in whatever your preferred translation is. Take notes as you do if you wish to or highlight passages that speak to you personally. Remember that the church has attached a plenary indulgence to reading the Bible for at least a half hour which I have found to be ridiculously easy to do. Get a pocket or purse size Bible and carry it with you and take it out and read it when you have a few minutes. If you do that at work or school, you may be surprised at how easily it opens doors for you to share your faith.

 

[po18guy]

Now here on CA, I have found Catholics that seem to know scripture forward, back, inside-out - so please no offense - you guys (and gals) are good.

Have a look at some of the bookshelves in this thread: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=846163&highlight=show+bible+collection

 

[zz912]

I recently asked our local priest after mass, when he prays that “my sacrifice and yours be made an acceptable offering”, what the “yours” part of the sacrifice was. He had no idea or answer. If you pray without knowing what you are praying, is that not vein repetition?

What the “my sacrifice and yours” refers to is the bread and wine that the congregation brings to the Mass to be transformed into the Body & Blood. It ties in the notion of the sacrifices offered for tithing and the old covenant offerings. This in the New Covenant, is the new offering. Bread and wine. Similar to the offering of bread and wine that Melchizadek offered.

It also in a different way refers to the offering basket as well.

 

[rcwitness]

Some more examples (see post up above for the start).

Pope Pius XII in 1943

“Our predecessors, when the opportunity occurred, recommended the study or
preaching or in fine the pious reading and meditation of the sacred Scriptures."

“… This author of salvation, Christ, will men more fully know, more ardently love
and more faithfully imitate in proportion as they are more assiduously urged to
know and meditate the Sacred Letters, especially the New Testament …”

He also granted indulgences to those who read Sacred Scripture (this was to yes encourage frequent reading).

Thanks BookCat.

 

[Markie_Boy]

We had a great homily on just exactly that a while back and Fr. Grebe pointed out that this Eucharistic prayer is really straight from the New Testament book of Romans, chapter 12 and verse 1 which plainly tells us.’[1] I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

He pointed out that that Eucharistic prayer, in obedience to to scripture calls us all to join in and consecrate our very selves as living sacrifices as we receive Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Not only do we partake of that Eucharistic miracle but we also are miraculously joined to Jesus and He works by the Holy Spirit to make us ever more like unto Himself so that we really do “take up our cross daily and follow Him.”

Notice also that St. Paul says that this is “your spiritual worship” which certainly fits in with our participation in Mass.

Of course we are encouraged to read the Bible and Markie I encourage you to copy this post and take it to that dear priest for future reference.

I would also point out that all my surveys of Catholics and n-Cs here on CAF have shown that everyone feels they need to be reading the Bible more than they do.

I recommend that everyone on this thread make a commitment this coming year to read the entire Bible in whatever your preferred translation is. Take notes as you do if you wish to or highlight passages that speak to you personally. Remember that the church has attached a plenary indulgence to reading the Bible for at least a half hour which I have found to be ridiculously easy to do. Get a pocket or purse size Bible and carry it with you and take it out and read it when you have a few minutes. If you do that at work or school, you may be surprised at how easily it opens doors for you to share your faith.

That quote from Romans is just what I had in mind for the “yours” part of the sacrifice!

I am going to make that commitment to read the entire Bible this year! I think this is an excellent example and thanks for posing it Church Militant! I think that many more would read the Bible - just the Gospel reading for the following week - if the priest would simply ask them to.

So often we “have not because we ask not”. It’s like we have become afraid to ask others. I have been thinking of reading the whole Bible next year, but someone has now asked me to commit, and I am now committed.

I’m in!

 

[Della]

That quote from Romans is just what I had in mind for the “yours” part of the sacrifice!

I am going to make that commitment to read the entire Bible this year! I think this is an excellent example and thanks for posing it Church Militant! I think that many more would read the Bible - just the Gospel reading for the following week - if the priest would simply ask them to.

So often we “have not because we ask not”. It’s like we have become afraid to ask others. I have been thinking of reading the whole Bible next year, but someone has now asked me to commit, and I am now committed.

I’m in!

The Church’s liturgical Mass Scripture reading calendar is on a 3 year cycle, so a good portion of the Bible is read at Mass every 3 years. I find using the daily Mass readings beneficial, especially for those who just don’t have the time to read entire biblical texts in a given amount of time. You may wish to follow along, as well, time permitting and according to your needs.

My dh and I are fortunate that our pastors do encourage Scripture reading. Indeed, our parish offers Bible/Church teaching studies every fall that run into spring.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

That quote from Romans is just what I had in mind for the “yours” part of the sacrifice!

I am going to make that commitment to read the entire Bible this year! I think this is an excellent example and thanks for posing it Church Militant! I think that many more would read the Bible - just the Gospel reading for the following week - if the priest would simply ask them to.

So often we “have not because we ask not”. It’s like we have become afraid to ask others. I have been thinking of reading the whole Bible next year, but someone has now asked me to commit, and I am now committed.

I’m in!

Isn’t Church militant great? Has answers for it all!!!

I usually use Lent to brush up on the scriptures. This year focusing just on Gospels during that time.

 

[Church_Militant]

Isn’t Church militant great? Has answers for it all!!!

Me? Luke 17:10 is more appropriate.

I usually use Lent to brush up on the scriptures. This year focusing just on Gospels during that time.

Very good idea!

 

[plainatheart71]

We have a new priest, from India, who not only encourages us to read the bible but he brings his bible out for every homily and qutes scripture from it and preaches from it. He knows his bible!