Why do readings at Mass have to be from the Bible?

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I ponder this sometimes. Say with a very early Saint, like next week is the Memorial of St. Polycarp. We have in the Apostolic Fathers collection, an epistle of Polycarp, and also the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Why can’t the writings of the Saint which are held to such high regards be read instead of some reading from the Bible that has nothing to do with the Saint who is being honored? I can understand Sundays and Holy Days having to be read from the Scripture but wouldn’t it be more of honoring the Saint if we actually acknowledged a writing by him or her?
 
jas84173 said:
I ponder this sometimes. Say with a very early Saint, like next week is the Memorial of St. Polycarp. We have in the Apostolic Fathers collection, an epistle of Polycarp, and also the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Why can’t the writings of the Saint which are held to such high regards be read instead of some reading from the Bible that has nothing to do with the Saint who is being honored? I can understand Sundays and Holy Days having to be read from the Scripture but wouldn’t it be more of honoring the Saint if we actually acknowledged a writing by him or her?
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I think the reasons are liturgical.By definition, the Liturgy of the Word can only include readings from Holy Scripture. The homily is another story, of course and a topical (but generally not a purely expository) homily might reflect on the writings of the Church Fathers. Some hymnody might be another exception, though of course many hymns contain scriptural passages and the Gloria, the Agnus Dei, etc. are exquisitely scriptural.
 
jas84173 said:
I ponder this sometimes. Say with a very early Saint, like next week is the Memorial of St. Polycarp. We have in the Apostolic Fathers collection, an epistle of Polycarp, and also the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Why can’t the writings of the Saint which are held to such high regards be read instead of some reading from the Bible that has nothing to do with the Saint who is being honored? I can understand Sundays and Holy Days having to be read from the Scripture but wouldn’t it be more of honoring the Saint if we actually acknowledged a writing by him or her?
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First of all, because this is how the Divine Liturgy organically developed; only the writings of the Prophets and the Apostles were read, and in fact, liturgical use at Mass was one of the criteria that defined the canon, not the other way around (i.e. it’s canon because it was used in liturgy, not used in liturgy because it’s canon).

Since we believe we encounter Christ himself in Word and Sacrament, it seems fitting that only the inspired word of God in Scripture should be proclaimed, and not anything else.

And second, there is a liturgical forum for this, but it’s not the Mass. It’s the Office of Readings. It is precisely for the non-Biblical readings that this celebration is in place and while it’s not for the Eucharist, it’s an integral part of the Liturgy of the Church.
 
I would rather here from the Word of God rather than the word of man.
 
A goodly portion of the *Martyrdom of Polycarp *is read on his feast day (Feb 23) in the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings.
 
Because it’s the Bible. The Church fathers are awesome, but they are not scripture.
 
jas84173 said:
I ponder this sometimes. Say with a very early Saint, like next week is the Memorial of St. Polycarp. We have in the Apostolic Fathers collection, an epistle of Polycarp, and also the Martyrdom of Polycarp. Why can’t the writings of the Saint which are held to such high regards be read instead of some reading from the Bible that has nothing to do with the Saint who is being honored? I can understand Sundays and Holy Days having to be read from the Scripture but wouldn’t it be more of honoring the Saint if we actually acknowledged a writing by him or her?
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It has to do with GOD"S Truth

2nd Motility 3:16-17

16] All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, [17] That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

This SAME warranty is not ASSURED with teachings outside of the bible:)

Because the ONLY teaching a great many will get is at Sunday Mass; prudence dictates that it be advantaged by the assiduity of God’s Biblical Truths

GBY

Patrick
 
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