Why don't Catholics bring Bible to Masses

[ProVobis]

My mistake. I had in mind Miriam, who of course was Moses’ sister, not mother. Miriam = Mary in Hebrew. Jochebed was Moses’ mother. The way I remember Jochebed is I recall that scene in the movie *The Ten Commandments *where Charlton Heston has the scrap of Levite cloth in which he was found wrapped as an infant and lines it up with Jochebed’s blanket, and he says, “Jochebed!” But the memory trick failed me this time lol

Can you get a partial indulgence for watching the Ten Commandments?

 

[RobbyS]

Isn’t that the whole purpose of the first part of the Mass - The Liturgy of the Word? We have a lectionary with a three year cycle of readings. If one attends Mass every day for three years, they will hear the vast majority (though admittedly not all) of the Bible read aloud. On Sundays, there will be (in general) an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading (although on special occasions this pattern is different). Then, the priest gives a homily. A homily differs from a sermon in that it must specifically explain and address the readings for that day. The scriptural passages are selected so that they relate to each other. If one needs to follow along, all of the appropriate scripture passages are conveniently organized in the missals.

Now, with all of that said, it’s still important to remember that the MAIN focus of the Mass is the Liturgy of the Eucharist… the celebration of the sacrament of Communion. While the readings are indeed a valuable part of the Mass, if one is seeking intensive Bible study, then there are plenty of appropriate opportunities for that outside of Mass.

One problem is that homilies seldom related the Scriptural selections to one another, except more than in a general way. Another, I think, is some of the selections themselves are too truncated. They seem out of context. This is less true than the first and second readings. The advantage of the “old” mass was that the Epistle was usually to the point. As a whole, the old mass seems much more “organic” than the "new mass,"especially in its abrupt ending. The Final Gospel that used to be said at the end may have been an “add -on,” bgutr it sent you our the door with some of the most lofty thoughts in the New Testaments.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Because a lot of us are literate now? If you’re illiterate, then you do what you can. God will help you.

However, if we can spend time on the internet reading message boards, we should not ignore reading and meditating on the word of God.

If we can read about the Saints and theology, why would we purposefully choose to not touch the Bible until we hear it at mass.

Notice, the men who were learned in the Bible like Paul constantly referred to the scriptures of the Old Testament and they taught from it.

And that is why so many Catholics are led astray when Protestants point to specific verses that a lot of Catholics have never heard even though they “hear” it read to them at masses.

The same thing can be said about the Rosary and all Marian devotion. You can be a Saint without it (canonized or not), but it is a good source of spiritual assistance. When it comes to these things, it is not an either or. We do live in an age where the Bible is readily available to all. It is a great gift and not to be lightly put aside. To whom much is given…

I think pnewton said it here better. Not just because we’re literate means we read the Bible. I mean, TrueLight, thats the problem with Protestants. They read the Bible without understanding, now we have so many heresies spawning when everyone makes themselves the Biblical authority just because they read it. I would have much rather that we never read the Bible, but got fed the Scripture by someone like a priest during Liturgy. We would get the reading at the same time we get instruction on it. I’ve seen many Catholics fall into the same heresies because they are not guided by a proper teacher on Scripture.

I mean, if you’re 16, does that mean you should drive? Of course you should get proper instruction first and go and drive only when you’re ready, regardless of age. Not just because you can means you should.

St. Paul likes pointing to Scripture because he was a Pharisee. Old habits die hard I guess. He lived and breathed Old Testament Law before his conversion.

 

[DianaCC]

Jochebed

I’ve found the movie online and am watching it now. Oddly the movie calls her “Yoshebel”. I wonder how that mistake happened.

What a great movie. Cast of thousands. Cheesy soundtrack. Vast sets, riotously colorful spectacles. Massively overacted in the tradition of the Hollywood epic.

Chock full of great lines:
“God made men; men made slaves.”

“I know you, my sweet. You’re a sharp-clawed, treacherous little peacock.”

“The city is built of brick, Pharaoh. The strong make many; the starving make few. The dead make none.”

 

[TrueLight]

I think pnewton said it here better. Not just because we’re literate means we read the Bible. I mean, TrueLight, thats the problem with Protestants. They read the Bible without understanding, now we have so many heresies spawning when everyone makes themselves the Biblical authority just because they read it.

Believe it or not, there are some doctrines that Catholics and Protestants have in common. They’re not reading EVERYTHING without understanding.

I would have much rather that we never read the Bible, but got fed the Scripture by someone like a priest during Liturgy. We would get the reading at the same time we get instruction on it.

At what point does the instruction come? I have sat through some homilies where the homily was just a summary of the readings. Where is the instruction?

I really believe that Catholics who poo-poo reading the scriptures are in serious error.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ”.
St Jerome

“Read assiduously and learn as much as you can. Let sleep find you holding your Bible, and when your head nods let it be resting on the sacred page.”
(St Jerome, Letter to Eustochius)

 

[choliks]

Believe it or not, there are some doctrines that Catholics and Protestants have in common. They’re not reading EVERYTHING without understanding.

At what point does the instruction come? I have sat through some homilies where the homily was just a summary of the readings. Where is the instruction?

I really believe that Catholics who poo-poo reading the scriptures are in serious error.

I agree.

However…

In our part of the world where the Mass is celebrated in at least 5 languages. The bringing of the Bible is mostly impractical since it’s commonly published in only the 2 major languages (English and Tagalog). Although, misalettes (with a reflection on the Gospel) are diligently distributed by the religious (i.e. Society of St. Paul and the Claretians) here to help make up for the absence.

 

[TrueLight]

I agree.

However…

In our part of the world where the Mass is celebrated in at least 5 languages. The bringing of the Bible is mostly impractical since it’s commonly published in only the 2 major languages (English and Tagalog). Although, misalettes (with a reflection on the Gospel) are diligently distributed by the religious (i.e. Society of St. Paul and the Claretians) here to help make up for the absence.

I’m not so much arguing for bringing it with you as I am for taking the time to read the scripture on your own. Read it and if there are questions, ask. But I believe we should read it outside of mass.

 

[choliks]

I’m not so much arguing for bringing it with you as I am for taking the time to read the scripture on your own. Read it and if there are questions, ask. But I believe we should read it outside of mass.

Oh sorry I wasn’t clear.

I agreed with what you said. I agree that one should take time to read the scriptures. I usually do when I do my daily prayers. The second part was just my answer to the OP. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Believe it or not, there are some doctrines that Catholics and Protestants have in common. They’re not reading EVERYTHING without understanding.

They most probably inherited those from us. Its not like they are completely detached from Christianity. And besides, with the interpretation lottery, they’re bound to get something right.

At what point does the instruction come? I have sat through some homilies where the homily was just a summary of the readings. Where is the instruction?

Homilies aren’t mean to be the only way or method of instruction. I’ve always believed in discipleship, its the way of our faith. Disciples don’t follow their masters only during Liturgy. If all you’re doing if go to Mass and expect everything there, you won’t get it.

I really believe that Catholics who poo-poo reading the scriptures are in serious error.

Sorry but thats not true. Again given the history of the Church, we have a long history that proves otherwise. We do not need the Bible in our hands to be saved, that is in fact a Protestant concept. As long as we receive the Word of God, and we do from the Church, then we are nourished by it.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Oh sorry I wasn’t clear.

I agreed with what you said. I agree that one should take time to read the scriptures. I usually do when I do my daily prayers. The second part was just my answer to the OP. I apologize for the misunderstanding.

I think in the Philippines we have bought into the Protestant agenda. I’ve heard so much from Catholics debating with quoting Bible verses to prove their point. We’re trying to be Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) or Ang Tamang Daan (The True Path) who slices and dices scripture to fit their agenda. If we listen (or read) to Pope Benedict’s weekly audience, he gives good teachings on scripture. Plus he has quite a few books on several subjects as well. So does Bl. Pope John Paul II.

 

[ProVobis]

In our part of the world where the Mass is celebrated in at least 5 languages. The bringing of the Bible is mostly impractical since it’s commonly published in only the 2 major languages (English and Tagalog). Although, misalettes (with a reflection on the Gospel) are diligently distributed by the religious (i.e. Society of St. Paul and the Claretians) here to help make up for the absence.

Good point. English alone has many different Bibles. In cities like Chicago and New York where they have Masses in 23-25 different languages, the chances of everyone being in synch Biblewise would be extremely low. Bible reading would have to be done on an individual basis, unless everyone just wants to spend the time comparing Bible translations.

 

[TrueLight]

They most probably inherited those from us. Its not like they are completely detached from Christianity. And besides, with the interpretation lottery, they’re bound to get something right.

That’s not the point. The point is that you said Protestants read with no understanding, which is a gross generalization. By the way, are you a convert from Protestantism?

Sorry but thats not true. Again given the history of the Church, we have a long history that proves otherwise. We do not need the Bible in our hands to be saved, that is in fact a Protestant concept. As long as we receive the Word of God, and we do from the Church, then we are nourished by it.

Nowhere did I say we need the Bible to be saved. In fact, I never heard a Protestant say you need the Bible to be saved. Where did you get that?

However, try reading the Bible and see the difference it makes in your spiritual life. And that’s all I’m going to say on this because obviously, you’re not changing my mind and I’m not changing yours.

Peace.

 

[Rahn]

I bring my Bible to Mass.

I look up the readings in advance and mark them in my Bible so I can just flip right to them. I don’t find that any trouble at all.

Yes, we have missallettes. But I can’t make marks and underline in the missallette, or jot down pithy comments that the priest makes in his homily. I have many such notes in my Bible and this often helps me outside of Mass when I am reading my Bible. It’s especially good when talking to all my evangelical Protestant relatives and friends. But it’s also encouraging and comforting to me personally, in my own soul.

My husband uses his phone to read the Bible readings during Mass. It takes him less time to find the daily readings on his phone than to look them up in the paper missallette. IMO, this would be a good option for parents who are carrying many babies.

In fact, IMO, bringing a Bible to Mass would be a good way to show children and young people how important the Bible is. Yes, it’s not Jesus and we shouldn’t worship it. But it is the written Word of God, canonized by the Catholic Church. We shouldn’t leave it home on the shelf, either. Throughout the ages, the saints have exhorted us to read and study the Bible often, not just at Mass.

As for “hearing” the Word of God, I have only come across one Catholic church in seven years that has an adequate sound system. Most use Mattel’s “Mr. Microphone”-type sound systems. Also, a crying child or a chatty senior citizen with a malfunctioning hearing aid can make it hard to hear much of anything at Mass.

I am absolutely flabbergasted at the resistance towards such a simple thing as bringing a Bible to Mass. I don’t even know what to say or how to react to this. I’ve listened to several excellent presentations by wonderful Chicago-area priests at Catholic Family Conferences in this area urging parishioners to bring their BIbles to Mass and follow along in their own Bibles rather than in an impersonal missallette. I can’t believe that Christians are actually arguing against the simple devotion of bringing a Bible to Mass. This is unbelievable.

^^^Well said, Amen!^^^

 

[Apryl]

Biblical ignorance is rampant among today’s Catholics. But the trend is reversing.

I give my religion students a huge Bible trivia quiz on the first day of the school year and give the same one again on the second to last day just to show them how much they’ve learned.

Here are some of the questions:

They are mostly taken from popular culture. Sharp readers will notice some are trick questions.

And where are the answers? No fair to not post the answers!

 

[Carolus_Martell]

Totally 2 different expressions of faith.

Mass celebrates the passion of Christ and expresses our **new covenant **with God. The bible is the official record of how we got here…from there.

I suppose in a way the homily usually but not always parallels a reading…so there is an element of Bible study.

 

[DianaCC]

And where are the answers? No fair to not post the answers!

1. 
   *]What do Abilene TX, Bethesda MD, Syracuse NY, Carmel CA, and Philadelphia PA all have in common? named after places in the bible
   *] Where are the Ten Commandments? ex.20, deut.5
   
   *] Where is “666”? rev.13
   *]Where is “Do unto others”? mt.7
   *] Where is “Judge not”? mt.7
   *] Where is “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”? declaration of independence, not bible
   
   *] Where is “Love thy neighbor”? lev.19, mt.19, mt.22
   
   *]Where is “Hate the sin, love the sinner”? not in bible
   
   *]Where is “Our Father, who art in heaven”? mt.6
   *] Where is “The Lord is my shepherd”? ps.23
   *] Where is the Christmas story? mt.1-2, lk.1
   
   *] Where is the story of Adam, Eve, and the Apple? gen.3 but text never says apple
   
   *] Where is the story of Jonah and the Whale? jonah 1-2 but text never says whale
   
   *] Where is the story of Noah and the Flood? gen.6-8
   *] Where is the story of the Good Samaritan? lk.10

 

[ProVobis]

DianaCC;8159425[:

Where is the story of Jonah and the Whale? jonah 1-2 but text never says whale

Close enough in Matthew though.

Matthew 12:

40 Sicut enim fuit Jonas in ventre ceti tribus diebus, et tribus noctibus, sic erit Filius hominis in corde terræ tribus diebus et tribus noctibus.

(40 For as Jonah was in the whale’s belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.)

Cetus - any large sea creature, such as the whale, seal, dolphin.