“And, of course, the reason that Catholics don’t take Bibles to church is that the biblical readings for that particular day (i.e., the Proper of the Mass) have always been in the Missal - therefore, no need to carry the Bible when you have your Missal or a misssalette at Mass.”
And that is exactly the problem... there’s hardly a verse that can be understood in its entirety without other Scripture to back it up. That’s exactly where the Catholic denomination fails is taking one verse and making up a complete doctrine according to that one verse. Never mind if there are other verses that will clarify it we will just make up more stuff to cover that mistake.
“And that is exactly the problem... there’s hardly a verse that can be understood in its entirety without other Scripture to back it up. That’s exactly where the Catholic denomination fails is taking one verse and making up a complete doctrine according to that one verse. Never mind if there are other verses that will clarify it we will just make up more stuff to cover that mistake.”
Actually, the verses used for each Mass (Entrance Antiphon, O.T. reading, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel) are chosen for their common message and their meaning and unity are usually apparent; the priest’s sermon is an opportunity for further clarification or exigesis.
These selections for the Propers of the Mass are really beautifully thought out, and the advantage of the Catholic service is that they are being utilized by the faithful in a dual manner: for their intrinsic worth and as a mechanism to worship God in the Mass’context of the re-creation of Our Lord’s Sacrifice.
This can be an intense spiritual experience.