Scripture
God is Not Silent
God is not silent. He has spoken, and he still speaks.
He speaks most fully in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The Bible is part of how the Church receives and hands on that Word. When we open the Scriptures, we are not simply reading old religious texts; we are listening to the God who draws near, who teaches, who corrects, who consoles, and who leads his people.
Scripture and the Church Belong Together
The Bible was not dropped from the sky for individuals to interpret however they wish. It was received and handed on within the life of the Church. That matters, because it means we read Scripture with the faith of the Church.
That is why Catholics don't set Scripture against the Church, and we don't set the Church against Scripture. They belong together: the same God who speaks in the written Word also guides his people as that Word is proclaimed, preached, and lived.
Scripture at Mass
For most Catholics, the main place Scripture is heard is in the sacred liturgy.
At Mass the Word of God is proclaimed aloud, not as background information, but as something addressed to us here and now. We listen, we respond in prayer, and we are led from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Catholics have always understood that we are fed in both places: by God's Word and by Christ himself in Holy Communion.
How to Read the Bible Without Getting Lost
A few simple habits help…
1) Start with the Gospels
If you are unsure where to begin, begin with Jesus. Mark or Luke are good places to start.
2) Read Small Amounts, Regularly
A paragraph a day is enough. The goal is not to "get through the Bible", but to let the Bible get through to you.
3) Read with the Whole Story in Mind
The Scriptures are many books, but they tell one great story of God's saving work, reaching its centre and fulfilment in Christ.
4) Read with a Willingness to be Changed
Sometimes God's Word comforts. Sometimes it challenges. Often it does both.
Reading Prayerfully
Scripture is meant to be read in a prayerful way, because the same Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures helps us to understand them rightly.
Here is a straightforward way to do that:
- Read a short passage slowly (especially a Gospel passage).
- Notice what stands out: a phrase, an action, a question.
- Speak to God about it in your own words.
- Be still for a moment.
- Take one thing into the day: one decision, one act of charity, one person to pray for.
If your mind wanders, don't be discouraged. Simply come back to the passage. That returning is part of prayer.
A Realistic Plan
If you want something simple and steady, choose one of these and stick with it for a month:
- Read the Sunday Gospel once before Mass and once afterwards.
- Read the daily Mass readings a few times each week.
- Read one Gospel slowly, a little at a time.
Where to Find the Readings
The easiest place to begin is with the readings used at Mass. You can find the Mass readings for today and the week to come at Universalis: Readings at Mass