Saint Michael the Archangel Parish

21 Manning St

Hudson, MA 01749

Reading the Bible

 ...you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.
1 Thessalonians 2:13

Why should we read the Bible?


The Bible is a unique book, unlike any other. Through its pages, God "meets his children with great love and speaks with them" (Dei Verbum 21), and expresses in human language the truths of his being.

Sacred Scripture teaches us that man was created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), with the capacity to know and love his Creator, and offers us the way to achieve happiness on earth and in Heaven.

"In the Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, 'but as what it really is, the word of God'" (1 Thessalonians 2:13; cf. Dei Verbum 24; CCC 104). The Bible is a priceless treasure in which we always find light and a guide for our earthly pilgrmage.


- The Didache Bible

Recommendations for a greater spiritual benefit

God is the principal author of the Scriptures.  The contents of each book of the Old and the New Testaments have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to the different Sacred Authors to write everything that he wanted and only that which he wanted.

This premise, consciousness of its divine inspiration, is necessary to obtain spritual benefit from the Bible: if we read it in an atmosphere of faith, with reverence and respect, with the intelligence alert, the Word of God provides light and meaning to our lives.


-The Didache Bible

"All scripture is...useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness".  (2 Timothy 3:16)


How is Sacred Scripture to be read?


Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted with the help of the Holy Spirit and under the guidance of the Magisterium of the Church according to three criteria:


(1) it must be read with attention to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture;


(2) it must be read within the living Tradition of the Church;


(3) it must be read with attention to the analogy of faith, that is, the inner harmony which exists among the truths of the faith themselves. 


-Compendium, CCC

"If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself."
-Saint Augustine

Jesus Christ, center and key to the Bible


Since the beginning of time, God spoke to men with works and words, through the created realities, and through the men chosen to transmit what he wanted to say.

But above all God has revealed himself to us through his Only-Begotten Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. Jesus Christ, the Son of God made men, is the last and final Word of the Father, who has transmitted everything that God wanted to communicate to men so that we could have life in him.

The Bible contains and gives testimony to the Word of the living God who speaks to us in Christ.  Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the nature and the message of the Bible. Therefore, the Christian will seek Christ in every page of the sacred books; and especially in the Gospels, which "have a special preeminence"
(Dei Verbum 18).

It follows that each passage of the Bible should be read within the context of all the Scriptures with the realization that the Old Testament prepares the New and the New Testament gives effect to the Old Testament.

- The Didache Bible

Reading Plan


While we can read the Bible like any other book, it may be more beneficial to spend a short time each day, five or ten minutes, and a longer period at another time of the week.

The main purpose is for each person to gain a deep knowledge and love of Christ, and also, through Christ's teachings, to gain knowledge and love of the Father and the Holy Spirit.


To achieve this goal, it is recommended to read the New Testament for your daily readings (beginning with the Gospels) and on the weekend to read the Old Testament. If we consider these times as appointments with God, then we will achieve this purpose easily.

Of course, many other methods can be followed, and it is always possible to read a particular book of the Bible or a specific passage when seeking divine guidance for a specific circumstance. 

- The Didache Bible

Access to Daily Readings

SELECT HERE

for the readings of today and other dates that you may select.


Audio version of the readings is also available at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.

Reading the Bible:  the PRIMA Process

Pray

Begin with a prayer that your time with the Bible will draw you closer to God.

Read

Read attentively, trying to hear the words as if for the the first time.


Reading the passage aloud, even if you are alone, can help with this.

Imagine

Imagine being part of the story you just read.


What would you feel? How would you react?

Meditate

Meditate on what you have read. 



How does the message of the story fit with the rest of the Bible's teaching?


What do you think God is teaching you?

Apply

Apply what you have read. 


God may be guiding you in your life.


You may find encouragement.


Carry God's Word into the rest of your day! 

Stay on course, try the PRIMA method for reading the Bible.  Prima is the Latin word for"first".  In the PRIMA process, each letter of the word stands for a step in studying the Bible.

-The Catholic Faith Handbook, Volume 3

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