“So you never looked inside the cover of a Catholic Bible and saw the encouragement printed there?”
Ah, no. As I said, the school NEVER encouraged us to open and read a Bible.
“No, there were two or three major readings and numerous Biblically based prayers as I linked to. Also, there was a sermon after the gospel.”
But those prayers, that take up most of the mass, just become words after you have recited them a million times. it's not really a prayer from the heart.
There were readings, but as a grade school kid, I was looking at my watch, or the ceiling or something else to kill the time. Again, the only thing from my school that was emphasized was to just show up.
I don't remember the sermons being really in depth on any topic of scripture. The sermons were fairly short anyway, because of the repetitive prayers.
“No, the exact opposite. I think everyone should read it. There is no reason to put Bibles rather than Missals in the pews, however. You can go to ANY bookstore and buy a Catholic Bible. Missals are not in typical bookstores and are what are actually used in Mass, thus there presence in the pew is more important.”
But If they were preaching from the Bible, you wouldn't need a missal book.
Again, you never looked inside the cover at the encouragement there? Who is at fault then?
The church and the school !! From 1st grade through 8th, we NEVER were encouraged to read a Bible. I would expect a religious school to require some scripture reading.
“Of course it is - that’s what the New Testament canon is - Church Tradition”
Wouldn't you rather hear the Word of God ?
“Hey,you have no idea what The Lord has revealed to me !!”
Your comments aren’t revealing much either. I was just pointing out the lack of Biblical instruction, but I'm saved now !
You wrote:
“Ah, no. As I said, the school NEVER encouraged us to open and read a Bible.”
But that’s irrelevant. The Catholic Church DOES encourage you to read a Bible. How could you be a Christian and have no curiosity about the Bible at all? Public schools don’t encourage people to read the Bible. Does that mean that the kids never open one on their own?
“But those prayers, that take up most of the mass, just become words after you have recited them a million times. it’s not really a prayer from the heart.”
It’s only that way if you want it to be. Besides that still does not make the readings vanish - especially when they’re printed in missals and are right there in front of you.
“There were readings, but as a grade school kid, I was looking at my watch, or the ceiling or something else to kill the time. Again, the only thing from my school that was emphasized was to just show up.”
But clearly the lack of curiosity was all your own. If you were looking at your watch then you were not looking in the missal. So, something placed their for your encouragement was ignored - voluntarily - by you.
“I don’t remember the sermons being really in depth on any topic of scripture. The sermons were fairly short anyway, because of the repetitive prayers.”
Repetition of prayers has nothing to do with the length of the sermon.
“But If they were preaching from the Bible, you wouldn’t need a missal book.”
Sure you would. How else would people know the liturgy? Worship is not about reading alone. It is about praying first.
“The church and the school !! From 1st grade through 8th, we NEVER were encouraged to read a Bible. I would expect a religious school to require some scripture reading.”
So no one read at Mass? No one ever read any Bible stories in class? Are you sure you really went to Catholic school? How can there be a Mass with no readings from the Bible? How can it be that you could be at Mass and a Catholci school and have no natural curiosity?
“Wouldn’t you rather hear the Word of God ?’
Yes, but without Church tradition there would be no way to do it. After all, it was the Church that put together the Bible, wrote the Bible (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) and copied it for us. No tradition would mean no Bible. Period. You wouldn’t even know what books belong in the Bible if it were not for Church tradition. Ever wonder why people believe Matthew’s gospel was written by him? Look in it and tell me where it says he wrote it. See it? Nope. Church TRADITION says he wrote it. And Church tradition alone.
“Your comments aren’t revealing much either. I was just pointing out the lack of Biblical instruction, but I’m saved now !”
So you say, but that of course is merely your opinion. I hope it is true nonetheless.