Home Forums All Things Catholic Catholics don’t use the Bible at their services…what?

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  • #586

    [b:181jpu8o]Here’s the accusation:[/b:181jpu8o][i:181jpu8o] The Catholic Church does not read from the Bible at their services (mass) and therefore are not Christian because they make up their own doctrines not biblically based.[/i:181jpu8o]

    I have seen some people (non- or anti-Catholics) taking this to be an actual concern showing somehow that the Catholic Church is not Christian. Yet, if you look at it, these people got their information a little crossed.

    During mass (the Catholic service) there are 2 main parts – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The one that we are most concerned with for this topic is the Liturgy of the Word. In the Liturgy of the Word 3 readings from Scripture (a.k.a. “the Bible”) are read and 1 of the Psalms is sung. The readings are not whole chapters of books of the Bible, but selected passages that have a common theme. The first reading is usually from the Old Testament and the second reading is from the New Testament and the third reading is from one of the Gospels. Then there is a homily (or sermon) breaking out the meaning of these texts or something to do with the passages that were just read.

    Now, clearly Catholics read Scripture during their services so how is it that some people can claim that we do not read from the Bible? It is foolish to say that because we do not read from the same Bible that is small, leatherbound, easier to carry around and has all the books in order during our services does not mean that we do not read from the Bible (or Scripture). Of course we read from the Bible! However, we do it in a different way. Catholics do it the way they have done it for centuries. They were doing it this way long before the [i:181jpu8o][u:181jpu8o]Catholic Church[/u:181jpu8o][/i:181jpu8o] even decided what books make up the Bible!

    Just because we do not use Scripture [i:181jpu8o]alone[/i:181jpu8o] (which isn’t even biblical by the way) does not mean we do not use the Bible or non of our teachings is biblically based. If you look at any of our official teachings you will see much reference to Scripture.

    To say that the Catholic Church does not use the Bible is irresponsible on the part of the accuser. We use Scripture all the time, but we just break it down into themes based on the cause for celebration or feast day. Everything about the Catholic celebration (mass) is themed.

    I hope this helps clear up some misconceptions. <img decoding=” title=”Smile” />

    #2222

    We as Catholics hear the entire Bible at mass once every three years.

    Not many people realize that either. <img decoding=” title=”Smile” />

    #2223

    [quote:1plrb3ed]We as Catholics hear the entire Bible at mass once every three years.

    Not many people realize that either. <img decoding=” title=”Smile” />[/quote:1plrb3ed]

    ha ha, you worded that kind of funny <img decoding=” title=”Very Happy” />

    It almost sounds like you are saying that every three years we have a mass where we read the whole Bible in one sitting… <img decoding=” title=”Wink” />

    #2225

    Ha Ha. I see my mistake. <img decoding=” title=”Very Happy” /> I meant that over the course of three years Catholics hear the entire Bible. (The readings at each mass add up to the entire Bible.)

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