I suggest that whenever the lector or priest gets up to read Scripture they begin this way:
Lector: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Open your Bibles, please -- to the book of Acts, chapter 25. (pause) We will be reading from verses 13 through 21. That's Acts 25 verses 13-21. (pause while people turn to that in their Bibles...then read.)
Now, I know, what most of you are going to say, "Duh, that's dumb, Stan. Catholics don't carry Bibles to Mass." And when I ask why not? You'll tell me, "Because there's no room for the fork-lift trucks to carry their Family Bibles to the pews." Or, you'll say, "They don't have companion Bibles they can carry." Well, folks, those are sorry excuses, and NO WONDER CATHOLICS DON'T READ THEIR BIBLES and many Protestants do. So, what a
re priests and lectors, and bishops going to do about it? They can start with these simple words during the Mass whenever Scripture is read (even in the middle of a homily.) "Open Your Bibles, Please....and if you don't have one, Stan will be in the lobby afterwards to sell you one."...or go to his website and buy one: Here's the link: Nineveh's Crossing Bible Page. There's even a YouTube video linked at that website that we shot to promote these great Bible editions.
One problem with this approach would be that the daily readings don't always match those from the Bible (even though they're from the same NAB translation), or they're broken up and hard to follow. I remember trying to do what you suggest when I proudly received my first real Bible in grade school. It was so frustrating that I eventually gave up.
ReplyDeleteI now carry a missal (an honorable Catholic tradition) and follow along with the readings and prayers for the day. It helps a lot - especially when the lector or priest can't be heard or understood very easily. (With many priests not native English speakers, this happens more and more.) It also is tremendous for helping me to focus on the Mass prayers and readings rather than the distractions around me.
I'm not intending to discourage your idea. I just think it may need some further discussion. I really like your idea of having adult catechism classes after Mass on Sundays - in parallel with the kids' CCD classes. This would be an ideal way to teach Bible reading. But a dedicated layman will need to take a strong leadership role in pulling this off.
Thank you for keeping me thinking, Stan!
At the church that my daughter and family attend, there are bibles in the pews right next to the missalette. Their pastor frequently uses the bible while reading the Gospel and also he makes up a list of related verses and hands these out at Mass. Great teacher he is.
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