Do you use your Bible in church?

[Apryl]

My pastor frequently will reference some other books in the Bible than what were part of the mass, and some carry Bibles, others don’t.

Our pastor is new to us - we’ve only had him for about 3 years now, and hte last Pastor pretty much never had any one looking things up during mass.

I have attended mass at other churches, as well, and seldom is there any ‘Turn to Romans’ going on.

So, I did ask my priest to ‘let us know when you need us to have them’, although, the logical reply is that we should carry the Bibles every time we come to mass. Another thing is, he may call out a book, and by the time we’ve found the book, he’s finished what he was saying about the reference.

I’m compulsive enough to carry paper and pencil with me, write down the Chapter: Verse, and then look it up on my Palm Pilot… but not every one has those things at their disposal.

Are we the only ones getting this? And do you agree it should happen more? (The use of Bibles during mass)

 

[bauerice]

I always carry my missal to Mass so I can follow along. For our non-Catholic friends, the Missal contains the prayers and scripture for each day.

 

[Della]

No, this should NOT be happening. The word of God is proclaimed at Mass not studied at Mass. The time for biblical teaching is in a class not during the Mass. I think your priest ought to have a long, meaningful talk with his bishop.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

Apryl, I have to admit, I was wondering if your pastor was a Protestant Minister before he became a Catholic Priest. I attended a Christmas concert in a Protestant church last year, and the backs of the pews had racks which held Bibles, right along with the hymnals.

I’ve never seen the “Turn to Romans” thing in a Catholic Church, either (although I’ve found it to be very common in my church’s parish missions and tent revivals – yes, my parish does have them! But I’ve never seen it during Mass.)

I personally would have no objection to looking things up in the Bible, and reading along, but I believe Della is right when she says the word of God is supposed to be proclaimed.

I do hope that “proclamation” doesn’t exclude the use of missals, though – for the benefit of those of us who have weird hearing, or attend churches with weird acoustics.

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[Fidelis]

Apryl:

My pastor frequently will reference some other books in the Bible than what were part of the mass, and some carry Bibles, others don’t.

So, I did ask my priest to ‘let us know when you need us to have them’, although, the logical reply is that we should carry the Bibles every time we come to mass.

You didn’t say what your priest’s response to this is. If he desires or expects you to follow along, he should advise people to bring Bibles or provide them in the pews.

Another thing is, he may call out a book, and by the time we’ve found the book, he’s finished what he was saying about the reference. I’m compulsive enough to carry paper and pencil with me, write down the Chapter: Verse, and then look it up on my Palm Pilot… but not every one has those things at their disposal.

Lacking the above provisions by your pastor, I think that is a good idea.

Are we the only ones getting this? And do you agree it should happen more? (The use of Bibles during mass)

I’ve seen it occasionally, but not with any consistency, let alone be required. As the previous poster stated, a missalette is usually sufficient for most Masses.

I, personally, wouldn’t mind seeing more of this, albeit with the above provsions in place.

 

[Della]

I personally would have no objection to looking things up in the Bible, and reading along, but I believe Della is right when she says the word of God is supposed to be proclaimed.

I do hope that “proclamation” doesn’t exclude the use of missals, though – for the benefit of those of us who have weird hearing, or attend churches with weird acoustics.

Those sorts of reasons are the only good ones for having missalettes. When the Mass was in Latin they were necessary to follow along, but now that the Mass is in the vernacular, missalettes are only helps to those who need them, as you cited. Everyone should come to Mass prepared to LISTEN not to be searching through the Bible, hunting up verses during the homily. Although, if the priest or deacon mentions a verse not in the readings, it would be fine to jot it down to look up later, but nothing should be done that distracts from the proclaiming of the word of God such as flipping through the Bible, which most certainly does.

 

[y2daddy]

Della:

No, this should NOT be happening. The word of God is proclaimed at Mass not studied at Mass. The time for biblical teaching is in a class not during the Mass.

Is that in a document somewhere? Because I would really like to look it up if it is.

 

[Della]

y2daddy:

Is that in a document somewhere? Because I would really like to look it up if it is.

In the GIRM in the section entitled: B. The Liturgy of the Word, and onwards into directives regarding The Homily. The text says that the readings are “proclaimed.” There is no mention of the congregation using their own Bibles to follow along nor any mention of flipping through the Bible during the homily. When the rubrics are silent on an issue, it is not to be done. Such innovations are not a part of the celebration of the Mass.

 

[y2daddy]

Della:

In the GIRM in the section entitled: B. The Liturgy of the Word, and onwards into directives regarding The Homily. The text says that the readings are “proclaimed.” There is no mention of the congregation using their own Bibles to follow along nor any mention of flipping through the Bible during the homily. When the rubrics are silent on an issue, it is not to be done. Such innovations are not a part of the celebration of the Mass.

OK, OK, relax. I just wanted to look it up on my own, that’s all.

 

[Forest-Pine]

I remember being told at some point in time that if we are capable of LISTENING to the proclamation of the Word, that we ought to do so (as opposed to reading along). Something about the very meanings of words. I do not remember, perhaps someone else will know what I am talking about.

Nonetheless, I do not oppose the practice on theological grounds. First, I give the priest the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he is concerned that Catholics do not read their Bibles so he takes the only opportunity he can to get the most in. While he could reference other books in his homily (as I’ve often heard, in context most often when a word is used with a specific definition or when foreshadowing/ fulfillment occurs in two books of scripture, and such like), perhaps he works on the presumption that some are not auditory learners so he has them reading and doing as well.

With that said, I do not think I would ever return to this church. And I am not the flighty type who talks of church shopping, either. I have so much respect for the Mass. Did you know in a three year cycle, you’ll have heard almost the entire Bible if you follow the readings? The readings are carefully chosen and passed down to us as working together and providing a unifying theme–praise to the Lord (Psalms), before Jesus (OT), after Jesus (NT), and in Jesus’ words (Gospel) each week. The priest then delves into these four texts and provides an appropriate homily for the congregation and the times. To begin touch and go scripture “studies” is distinctly Protestant. It does not provide the time needed to understand the usage, terminology, translations, and contexts of all the passages quoted. It allows far too much room for misinterpretation and distortion. It is not the proper time for this technique of study and understanding. It is my personal opinion that it actually goes against the entire purpose of the Mass-- worshipping our Lord and Saviour, repenting of our sins, seeking spiritual fulfillment and encouragement, and a challenge to apply it in our day-to-day lives. It is then, in the rest of the week, that we are called to study and learn and apply. That is not to diminish this need, but to say it is not the need that is to be fulfilled at Mass.

Unfortunately, as I said earlier, I can understand why a priest would think he has to get in what he wants all on Sunday because too many people do not then continue their growth in Christ throughout the week.

 

[y2daddy]

Forest-Pine:

To begin touch and go scripture “studies” is distinctly Protestant. It does not provide the time needed to understand the usage, terminology, translations, and contexts of all the passages quoted. It allows far too much room for misinterpretation and distortion. It is not the proper time for this technique of study and understanding.

I agree with you that Mass isn’t the right time for an in-depth Scripture study, mainly because people can’t wait to get out into the parking lot. If Mass went 5 minutes over an hour people would revolt. Plus Mass is not there for scholarly pursuits. As far as “the time needed to understand the usage, terminology, translations, and contexts”, to me that kind of thinking leaves Scripture study to the experts and leaves Joe Six-Pack in the pew thinking that he shouldn’t even bother.

Here is an interesting quote from Pope Benedict XVI:

“Every Catholic must have the courage to believe that his faith (in communion with that of the Church) surpasses every “new magisterium” of the experts, of the intellectuals. Their hypotheses can be helpful in providing a better understanding of the genesis of the biblical books, but it is a prejudice of evolutionistic provenance if it is asserted that the text is understandable only if its origin and development are studied. The rule of faith, yesterday as today, is not based on the discoveries (be they true or hypothetical) of biblical sources and layers but on the Bible just as it is, as it has been read in the Church since the time of the Fathers until now. It is precisely the fidelity to this reading of the Bible that has given us the saints, who were often uneducated and, at any rate, frequently knew nothing about exegetical contexts. Yet they were the ones who understood it best.” (Pope Benedict XVI (as Cardinal Ratzinger), The Ratzinger Report, pg. 76.)

God bless Pope Benedict XVI.

 

[Forest-Pine]

y2daddy:

As far as “the time needed to understand the usage, terminology, translations, and contexts”, to me that kind of thinking leaves Scripture study to the experts and leaves Joe Six-Pack in the pew thinking that he shouldn’t even bother.

As a clarification, I in no way imply this. It is just that it takes time and knowledge to be able to delve into the intricacies of scripture, which I think we all should apply ourselves to. Mass is the one hour in the week I do not think is appropriate.

 

[bauerice]

Is everyone saying that, you should not take your Missal to Mass? I help in our Parish RCIA class. I will be in class tonight and will pose that question to our priest.

 

[y2daddy]

Forest-Pine:

As a clarification, I in no way imply this. It is just that it takes time and knowledge to be able to delve into the intricacies of scripture, which I think we all should apply ourselves to. Mass is the one hour in the week I do not think is appropriate.

And to that I would add, at the risk of being branded “too Protestant”, a hearty Amen. And I’m sorry if it seemed like I was pointing the finger at you, it’s just that in other contexts I have met people who think that Bible study is solely the province of “the experts”, and not for the people in the pew.

 

[Della]

Della wrote:

In the GIRM in the section entitled: B. The Liturgy of the Word, and onwards into directives regarding The Homily. The text says that the readings are “proclaimed.” There is no mention of the congregation using their own Bibles to follow along nor any mention of flipping through the Bible during the homily. When the rubrics are silent on an issue, it is not to be done. Such innovations are not a part of the celebration of the Mass.

y2daddy wrote:

OK, OK, relax. I just wanted to look it up on my own, that’s all.

I’m sorry. I was just trying to be helpful not “in your face” about it.

bauerice:

Is everyone saying that, you should not take your Missal to Mass? I help in our Parish RCIA class. I will be in class tonight and will pose that question to our priest.

No, we aren’t saying that at all. The missal can be very useful to people, especially those who are disabled in some way, such as hard of hearing. And for young people, it might be a plus, too, because they have such short attention spans and tend to glaze over when they just listen, like they do at school. But for healthy adults, we are expected to listen and pay attention to the proclamation of the word. This take discipline, something we should all cultivate as mature people.

 

[y2daddy]

bauerice:

Is everyone saying that, you should not take your Missal to Mass?

That’s exactly what some people are saying.

 

[mercygate]

Della:

In the GIRM in the section entitled: B. The Liturgy of the Word, and onwards into directives regarding The Homily. The text says that the readings are “proclaimed.” There is no mention of the congregation using their own Bibles to follow along nor any mention of flipping through the Bible during the homily. When the rubrics are silent on an issue, it is not to be done. Such innovations are not a part of the celebration of the Mass.

This drives me nuts. While I find that the idea of flipping through one’s Bible looking for the reading at Mass or for a passage the homilist is referencing is just “messy” and uncalled-for, the idea that people in the pew should not follow the reading with the eyes (I take my Magnificat) because the reading is to be “proclaimed” is absurd.

The Word is no less “proclaimed” by the reader when people are following along in their missals. Some people are a little hard of hearing; some people apprehend better when using both eye and ear . . .

My pastor would confiscate missals if he could. What nonsense!

 

[Forest-Pine]

bauerice:

Is everyone saying that, you should not take your Missal to Mass? I help in our Parish RCIA class. I will be in class tonight and will pose that question to our priest.

A missal has the daily readings. Most churches provide this in the backs of the pews for anyone who doesn’t have one. I think there is a huge difference from reading the prescribed readings at mass to having a priest scripture hopping through the entire Bible during his homily.

 

[Della]

Forest-Pine:

A missal has the daily readings. Most churches provide this in the backs of the pews for anyone who doesn’t have one. I think there is a huge difference from reading the prescribed readings at mass to having a priest scripture hopping through the entire Bible during his homily.

I agree!

 

[bauerice]

I just came back from RCIA class. Father said that, that is why the Parish provides Missals in the pews, so that everyone may participate fully in the celebration of the Mass.