Pope begins ministry with biblical symbols, signs of universal ministry

Although according to church law he officially became pope the minute he accepted his election in the Sistine Chapel March 13, Pope Francis received important symbols of his office just before the inauguration Mass -- the Book of the Gospels, the ring of the fisherman, St. Peter, and the pallium, a woolen band worn around the shoulders to evoke a shepherd carrying a sheep.

Someone might want to give him the rest of the Bible. He certainly isn't going to hear it in the daily mass.

Sounds like you don't attend Mass much, so how would you know?

Consult your lectionary. Or just read the thread Lectionary Statistics - How much of the Bible is included in the Lectionary for Mass? (Popquiz!). In summary:

How much of the Bible is included in the Lectionary for Mass?
Not as much as you might think, yet far more than was included in the Roman Missal before the Second Vatican Council!

He certainly isn't going to hear it in the daily mass.

So that's his only exposure to Scripture? Priests also pray the divine office. And every one that I know also reads scripture privately. Not to mention those who hold scripture studies in the parish. Or prepare scriptural messages for other parish events, groups, publications, occasions, etc.

It occurs to me that your comment and my response both miss the mark. The article states, "Pope Francis received important symbols of his office just before the inauguration Mass -- the Book of the Gospels..."

In the Mass, which of the readings CANNOT be done by the laity? The Gospel. It can only be proclaimed by someone with Holy Orders. Francis received just what the article says, a symbol of his office.

Someone might want to give him the rest of the Bible. He certainly isn't going to hear it in the daily mass.

What an ignorant statement. I see others have addressed your belligerent polemic quite well, so I won't add to their comments. Just shaking my head sadly.

It occurs to me that your comment and my response both miss the mark....Francis received just what the article says, a symbol of his office.

I myself would have preferred that the symbol be all of the words inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).

I don't begrudge you your preferences. I would have preferred that he wore red shoes to symbolize willingness to shed his blood for the gospel, to acknowledge that he walks in the footsteps of martyrs. But he didn't. He's asked for my prayers, not my advice, and so that is what is appropriate for me to give him. Peace be with you.

You could send him a Bible, if you really think his Biblical knowledge is subpar. In fact, you put a little note on it, indicating any other deficiencies you think he has, and I’m sure he’ll give it all the consideration it merits.

Believe me, the Pope is very familiar with Scripture, even if ALL of it is not included in the Lectionary, though, through the 3 year cycle of readings, much of it is. As a priest, he prays the Divine Office, daily, which is also largely scriptural.

Pope Francis knows God's Word very well.

I myself would have preferred

That's nice.

I would prefer that protestants commence to reading all of the words inspired by the Holy Spirit. Too bad they all hobble themselves with their abridged version of the Holy Scriptures.

That assumes, wrongly, that he's incapable of reading anything outside the Lectionary. When was the last time your minister preached on John 6? Luke 2? Who tells your minister what to preach on? What prevents him from preaching nothing but Galatians and Romans 4 through 7, then back to Galatians, etc.?

And, BTW, you're wrong. Rev 14:13 is one of the permitted readings for a funeral Mass, so it is in the Lectionary.

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