Does this mean that Catholics are going to start reading the Bible? Because if SO- then I like this pope.
After reading through comments made by non-catholics to this and other threads, one gets the impression that Catholics must be truly ignorant of scripture if they don't read the Bible.
We catholics, on the other hand, are amazed at such a notion. Our daily lives are filled with prayer and scripture. The Catholic Church encourages its people to begin and end their day with the Prayers of the Faithful, also known as the Divine Office. For the edification of our non-catholic friends in the forum, here is a sampling of today's prayers for Monday morning.
FIRST PRAYER
O great Mystery,
you manifested yourself in the flesh,
died and were raised to be proclaimed to the nations.
The world has believed in you who were raised in glory.
Help us to know you through reason and faith,
to keep your commandments with fidelity and love,
to hope with confidence in the resurrection of life
and in the coming of the kingdom of your glory,
where we shall praise you, forever.
Amen.
Psalm 33, followed by a Second Prayer.
NUHRO (HYMN OF LIGHT)
The Light of the just and joy of the upright is Christ Jesus our Lord,
Begotten of the Father he manifested himself to us.
He came to rescue us from darkness and to fill us with the radiance of his light.
Day is dawning upon us; the power of darkness is fading away.
From the true light then arises for us the light which illumines our darkened eyes.
Dreatures lying in darkness from ancient times, are clothed in light.
The dead arise from the dust and sing because theyhave a Savior.
He brings salvation and grants us life.
He ascends to his Father on high.
He will return in glorious splendor and shed his light on those gazing upon him.
Our king comes in majestic glory.
Let us light our lamps and go forth to meet him.
Let us find our joy in him, for he has found joy in us.
He will indeed rejoice us with his marvelous light.
Let us glorify the majesty of the Son and give thanks to the Almighty Father, who
in an outpouring of love, sent him to us, to fill us with hope and salvation.
When he manifests himself, the saints awaiting him in weariness
and sorrow, will go forth to meet him with lighted lamps.
The angels and guardians of heaven will rejoice in the glory of the
just and upright people of earth:
Together, crowned with victory, they will sing hymns and psalms
Stand up, then and be ready.
Give thanks to our King and Savior, who will come in great glory
to gladden us with his marvelous light in his kingdom.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen. Alleluia.
This is followed by a Third Prayer after which come the Morning Psalms: Psalm 148, Psalm 149:1-6, Psalm 150, Psalm 117
Next we have a series of prayers filled with praise, glory and honor to the Son. We recall the Prophets through whom God spoke of the Son to our ancestors. We rejoice in this day that the Lord has made. We conclude these prayers with one addressed to Christ our Lord: "we adore you who conquered death with life and gave us the hope of resurrection ...".
READINGS follow: 1 Peter 2:28-25, Luke 24:44-49, Exodus 11:1-10 and Acts 12:1-25
Morning prayers conclude with the Great Doxology: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and joy-filled hope to all ... This is followed by a Concluding Prayer:
O God, you are before all ages and exist from age to age;
you are resplendent and glorified in unsearchable light;
through your word, you bring forth light and give us a new day;
accept our praise and answer our prayer.
Send us your abundant blessings, through the mercy of your Christ.
To him, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be glory, honor and power,
now and forever.
Amen
This evening, a similar grouping of prayers, psalms and readings are said, including AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. Not once this morning did I open a Bible! I have several bibles and occasionally will read from the scriptures. However, the above Prayers of the Faithful, serve as a map to guide me through this day and end it with great peace and joy.
Dear non-catholic friends,
For the edification of us catholics, it would be informative and most appreciated if some of you could respond with an example of your daily prayers and readings. Perhaps we can better dialogue on the use of a Bible in daily life. Pax et Bonum