Using a 1956 Missal for reading scripture

[asd72]

The OP can send me a PM and I’ll buy him a Bible. NAB, RSV-2CE, whatever he wants. I’ll do this because I know that the Bible tells a story and a plan - for humanity and for you and me personally.

I love the Mass readings. I am a reader for Mass. But we cannot completely understand the story, we cannot fully understand God’s plan, by following the Mass readings. That’s not an insult to anyone who wants to follow the Mass readings, but a statement of fact. It’s like reading the Harry Potter books by skipping all over the place - you can learn a lot about Harry and his comrades, but it is very difficult to pick up the narrative thread. We can learn a lot about Jesus and the disciples and the other characters in the Bible by following the Mass readings, but it will be very difficult to find the storyline.

The narrative, storytelling books of the Bible include Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 Maccabees, the Gospels and Acts.

The other books of the Bible are supplemental to the story - they explain the story and add to the story but they are not part of the narrative thread which runs through the Bible.

Leviticus for example, is a training manual - the first half for priests and the second half for the laity. The book of Job is 22nd book in the Bible, but chronologically, it fits into the Bible at the book of Genesis. Job is supplemental to Genesis, but you would never know that by listening to Job or Genesis from the Mass readings. People ask what Revelation is about all the time. It is almost incomprehensible to most people. But the Book of Revelation is at the end of the Bible for a reason, because God assumes that the reader has read and understood everything in the story which came before the book of Revelation. Who the prophets are, where each prophet operated (North, South, or outside of Israel), what the exile was all about, who Judas Maccabeus was, who was in power at the time and why he led a revolt against them, and why the Protestants don’t have his two books in the Bible, and how they fit into God’s plan for our salvation - none of this is discernable from the Mass readings.

I’m not minimizing the Mass readings. I’m simply putting them in their proper place. You won’t understand the Bible as a whole if all you do is listen to the Mass readings. You won’t understand the storyline or God’s amazing plan.

The Bible is easier to understand than most people think. I’ll buy Mymamamary a Bible and send him another book I have, “The Bible Compass”, which describes how Catholics read the Bible if he wants. I’ve sent him a PM.

-Tim-

Yes you are right Tim. I got The Bible Compass on kindle when I saw it was written by Edward Sri, and it is exactly what I need actually. I have read books about Salvation History, summarizing the story, but have not yet got all the way through the Old Testament. He could have been describing me when he said many people lose the narrative thread in the middle of Exodus. So thank you, I think it is going to be very helpful for me.

 

[Rich_C]

Quote:
“I’m happy to remember the Bible stories I hear at Mass and the psalm I read in my breviary.”

Oh, but there is so much more than that.

I read the NT once and maybe a 1/4 of the OT. I just haven’t had any motivation to return to scripture reading since. Maybe one day.

 

[Southwell]

Hey everyone!!

I posted here not too long ago, that i have a 1956/1957 St. Joseph Daily Missal, and thank you for telling me i can use it at the EF MASS. Now, my question is, since the Church reads the Bible in a year (im right arent i?) in the readings at Mass, can i not just use my Missal for reading scriptures as well? I would porefer it as such, so i wouldnt have to lug an additional Bible around, plus it has the Douay- Rheims version of the scriptures in it correct?? (which is my favortite translation, its so traditional and beautiful), plus as a bonus, i would have the Prayers of HOLY MASS in it as well, a two in one!! so can i use the Missal to read my scriptures, as long as i read the readings for the Daily Mass, according to the day?? would it count as reading the Bible? and would i be able to read the Bible in one year then, if i read the readings from the Missal? I would prefer this, but if i cant, well, it looks like i will have to lug an extra Bible around as well. ( i dont know why, but im not good at reading scriptures from the Scriptures) I love the Scriptures, but, i dont know why, for some reason, i have trouble sitting down and actually reading them from the Bible, so can i use the Daily Missal as both my Bible and Missal?? (be able to read the whole bible from the Missal??) sorry for the long question!!

Are you reading scripture just using the 1956 Missal - YES - Can you read the whole Bible using the Missal, (any missal,) - NO! Not all scripture is included in the Missal. Its heavy on the Psalms and many passages are repeated. The missal is an excellent prayer book, (the Mass is the Prayer of the Church,) Its also an excellent devotional device relating to the Saint of the Day, feasts and the Seasons of the year - you can use to, as St. Paul admonishes us, redeem the time. Use it and you will learn your faith!!!

Reading the Bible, as we used to say in the Protestant camp, “cover to cover” can be a chore. Thats because it doesan’t flow cover to cover. it might help to find a chronological Bible or a biblical chronology, then it reads like a stor, that may help

I hate to disappoint you but need both. I don’t now that you have to carry both - I just carry a New Testament or Shorter Christian Prayer, myself. I’d use the missal for my devotions to get myself insync with the Church and then set aside some time each evening to read from the Bible.

I Prefer the Douay Rheims version myself, my username’s namesake and my patron saint, Robert Southwell worked on that translation while at the English College at Douay. Be aware though All Douay Rheims Bibles are not created equal: The original is hard to find. the most common version is the Challoner Revision done in the mid 1700’s - this is the most commonversion available another version includes what is called the Confraternity New Testament, a revision done in the 1940’s they never got to the Old Testament. This is the NT in your 1956 Missal. Sorry, I’m rambling

Oh! If you can dethold of a confraternity NT it is divided into readings by date - you can read the entire New Testament twice in one year - might be a good start. When I read the Bible cover to cover I started with the shortest book - Philemon, try II and III John, also short

God Bless You