Bible And Catechism Studies.

[Micah]

How often do you read your Catechism? How often do you read your Bible? How do you read them? Do you write down important things and try to memorize them, or do you sort of read them for enjoyment? Are there any books in the Bible and parts of the Catechism that you think are particularly good to return to or highlight? As someone who reads a chapter or two a night and picks up my catechism once in a while, I'm interested!

(And don't give me any of that I'm Catholic I don't read my Bible. Our Holy Father clearly says that the emerging Catholic revival is built on Biblical fluency. St. Jerome's writings show how important the Bible was to learned Roman Christians, and mother Angelica knows the Bible like the back of her hand. )

[CatherineM]

These days it seems like the only times I open either one is for school. I'm hoping that will change after I finish school.

[Vincent Vega]

I'm completely illiterate. If I ever learn to read, I hope to read the both of them often.

[TeresaBenedicta]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1292193373' post='2192395']
How often do you read your Catechism? How often do you read your Bible? How do you read them? Do you write down important things and try to memorize them, or do you sort of read them for enjoyment? Are there any books in the Bible and parts of the Catechism that you think are particularly good to return to or highlight? As someone who reads a chapter or two a night and picks up my catechism once in a while, I'm interested!

(And don't give me any of that I'm Catholic I don't read my Bible. Our Holy Father clearly says that the emerging Catholic revival is built on Biblical fluency. St. Jerome's writings show how important the Bible was to learned Roman Christians, and mother Angelica knows the Bible like the back of her hand. )
[/quote]

Hm. I don't really read the Catechism like a book, but use it more as a reference. And that I do fairly often, since I'm a DRE at a parish and I like to give clear references to the CCC when giving talks, teaching RCIA etc. I was once assigned to read the section on prayer as spiritual reading.

As for the Bible... I lead a Bible study at the parish, so that helps me delve into it. But I also use Scripture in my prayer. Generally I return to the Psalms, Paul's letters, and John's Gospel (chapter 15 is my favorite).

[kafka]

Sacred Scripture is my blood.

I go through phases of reading it in a very disciplined manner, but I've lightened up a bit because I dont like to get too rigid or stuck to a banal routine. But I love to aim at reading five Psalms a day in order from start to finish. I read the chapters 40 to 66 of Isaiah (The Consolation of Israel) almost like the Psalms, one chapter a day from 40 to 66. Ideally one chapter of the Gospel a day though I'd rather break it up if it is too long. And one other chapter from the New Testament and other books from the Old Testament on days off as I feel moved too.

Sacred Scripture is life to me. And Saint Jerome had some excellent teachings, and their have been many recent Magisterial teachings like Dei Verbum, Providentissimus Deus, Divino Spiritu Afflante, and so on. Learning the nature of Sacred Scripture, how to read it, what to look for, the direct and indirect levels of meaning, approaching it with faith and reason, etc. is a huge investment which yields wonders to the believer. Finding a good translation is also essential.

And reading it especially helps fight against the evil influences of sinful secular society.
Instead of watching a half hour of news, or a t.v. show, why not bask in the exquisite, intricate, powerful beauty of God's word, and be soaked in Truth.

[Micah]

[color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"][quote]Sacred Scripture is my blood.

I go through phases of reading it in a very disciplined manner, but I've lightened up a bit because I dont like to get too rigid or stuck to a banal routine. But I love to aim at reading five Psalms a day in order from start to finish. I read the chapters 40 to 66 of Isaiah (The Consolation of Israel) almost like the Psalms, one chapter a day from 40 to 66. Ideally one chapter of the Gospel a day though I'd rather break it up if it is too long. And one other chapter from the New Testament and other books from the Old Testament on days off as I feel moved too.

Sacred Scripture is life to me. And Saint Jerome had some excellent teachings, and their have been many recent Magisterial teachings like Dei Verbum, Providentissimus Deus, Divino Spiritu Afflante, and so on. Learning the nature of Sacred Scripture, how to read it, what to look for, the direct and indirect levels of meaning, approaching it with faith and reason, etc. is a huge investment which yields wonders to the believer. Finding a good translation is also essential.

And reading it especially helps fight against the evil influences of sinful secular society.
Instead of watching a half hour of news, or a t.v. show, why not bask in the exquisite, intricate, powerful beauty of God's word, and be soaked in Truth. [/quote][/size][/font][/color]
Nice! I'm going to read Isaiah 40-66 later. Or at least some of it. It's great to hear from another Catholic that's super into the Bible. I actually carry one in my back pocket every minute of every day. Unfortunately it's destroying my jeans haha. The Psalms are great. I'll admit I don't have the dedication you do, but whenever I'm feeling stressed I listen to them on my ipod. Some Anglican fellow (don't burn me) has done a great job of reciting them and uploading them online.

The nature of sacred scripture is certainly amazing. Medieval scholastics believed that it could be read in 4 ways: spiritually, morally, allegorically (ie. the ram prefigures Jesus), and anagogically (ie. end time predictions etc). And I believe it! it seems like every time I go pick up the Bible I read it in a different light. It's really amazing just how little effort I've put into studying the Bible and how much it has rewarded in return.

I'll definitely check out those documents, Dei Verbum etc.

[color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"][quote]Hm. I don't really read the Catechism like a book, but use it more as a reference. And that I do fairly often, since I'm a DRE at a parish and I like to give clear references to the CCC when giving talks, teaching RCIA etc. I was once assigned to read the section on prayer as spiritual reading.

As for the Bible... I lead a Bible study at the parish, so that helps me delve into it. But I also use Scripture in my prayer. Generally I return to the Psalms, Paul's letters, and John's Gospel (chapter 15 is my favorite). [/quote][/size][/font][/color]
[color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"] [/font][/color]
[font="Arial"][size="2"]You're gonna be super-pro by the time you're old if you keep reading the Catechism and Bible at that rate. I'll definitely read John 15 tonight. I've decided to read everyone's favourite verse(s). [/size][/font]
[font="Arial"] [/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"][quote]I'm completely illiterate. If I ever learn to read, I hope to read the both of them often. [/quote][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"] [/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][size="2"]Hey man, just start whacking at it! My brother in law is not a regular reader, but man he goes at it. I found out today that he's been referencing his catechism, and it was a big shock to me. And there's no doubt in my mind that reading Church documents has hugely improved my ability to read and interpret meaning as well as my writing. Good luck[/size][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"] [/size][/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"] [/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"][size="4"][quote]These days it seems like the only times I open either one is for school. I'm hoping that will change after I finish school. [/quote][/size][/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"][color="#595959"][font="arial, verdana, sans-serif"] [/font][/color][/size][/font]
[font="Arial"][size="2"]You have to do what I do and take courses on Christianity haha. Mix business and pleasure.[/size][/font]

[CatherineM]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1292205340' post='2192445']
You have to do what I do and take courses on Christianity haha. Mix business and pleasure.[/quote]
I'm working on my Masters in Theology right now. Of course some would say that doesn't have anything to do with Christianity.

[Brother Adam]

I read scripture with the Church in Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. I read the catechism now as reference, though I have read it cover to cover 3 times.

[PaladinSoG]

I've never actually read the bible. Ever time I pick it up I will read a little ways in then I put it down and just never seem to pick it back up to keep going. Being in college its kind of understandable since I haven't even been able to really read any thing else as well. Still never have and along with that I don't even have my own personal copy of the Catechism. Only things I remember from that was when I was in pre-college schooling going to Catechism.
I'm kind of sad now ...

Edited December 13, 2010 by PaladinSoG

[Micah]

[quote name='PaladinSoG' timestamp='1292218285' post='2192485']
I've never actually read the bible. Ever time I pick it up I will read a little ways in then I put it down and just never seem to pick it back up to keep going. Being in college its kind of understandable since I haven't even been able to really read any thing else as well. Still never have and along with that I don't even have my own personal copy of the Catechism. Only things I remember from that was when I was in pre-college schooling going to Catechism.
I'm kind of sad now ...
[/quote]

Dude! Can you get a Bible? Like do you have the means? Cause I've got like 3 sitting around the place that I don't use, and that's not counting my favourite. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dance6.gif[/img]

[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4][quote]I'm working on my Masters in Theology right now. Of course some would say that doesn't have anything to do with Christianity.[/quote][/size][/font][/color]
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]
[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#595959][font=arial, verdana, sans-serif][size=4]Cool, they'd be wrong though. [/size][/font][/color]

[tinytherese]

Over the summer I usually read at least two Psalms a day and would highlight the passages I liked in my RSV-CE. I've had to read sections of the Bible for my Introduction to Scripture class (which also involved me writing a paper on the Resurrection narratives in the Gospels,) and read some Scripture for this great books like class. I've also been using Scripture I don't know how many times for my final project for my faith development and formation class where we plan a bunch of lessons.

The catechism is mainly a point of reference for me as well. Last year for my Contemporary Religous Education class, we had to read and compare the catechism with the Baltimore Catechism and the U.S. Adult Catechism. I admit though that I mainly read the "In Brief" parts at the end of sections for the catechism.

[let_go_let_God]

For my Scripture reading I have a tendency to go back and forth through it. I am a notorious "Bible Bingo" person. (Just opening it up and starting to read) I always try to read some part of the Bible each day, whether it's a verse, a couple of chapters, or a short book. Some of my favorites include Tobit, Isaiah, Gospel of John, Romans 8, 12, 14, Ephesians, and Philippians.

As for the Catechism, I have probably read that more than my Bible. I prefer not to read it cover to cover but topically instead. It may require me to do a lot of flipping around but it makes things a little more coherent for me. I also use it a lot to cite information for classes I teach for the parish.

God bless-
LGLG

[PaladinSoG]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1292218920' post='2192487']
Dude! Can you get a Bible? Like do you have the means? Cause I've got like 3 sitting around the place that I don't use, and that's not counting my favourite. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/dance6.gif[/img]

[/quote]

Like I said, I have a Bible. Its just when I pick it up I'll read it one day then put it down and just never pick it up. I'll either get distracted or side tracked or something.
I do know that I need to read it. Everywhere I look there is something that mentions reading your Bible. Just never seem to get into it.
As for the Catechism, I don't own one of those but I know plenty of places to get one. Just a matter of getting money...could always ask for the Catechism for Christmas!

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Micah' timestamp='1292193373' post='2192395']
How often do you read your Catechism? How often do you read your Bible? How do you read them? Do you write down important things and try to memorize them, or do you sort of read them for enjoyment? Are there any books in the Bible and parts of the Catechism that you think are particularly good to return to or highlight? As someone who reads a chapter or two a night and picks up my catechism once in a while, I'm interested!

[/quote]
Phatmass is the last place you would ever get an argument about reading the Scriptures.
I read the Catechism once, that was enough. I have read Scriptures 5x so far, I did the entire book of Matthew one pericope at a time with my reflections. I do the LOTH, so the Psalms have always been my favorite book, followed by Isaiah, Ecclesiasticus, St John, St James, and Revelations.

[tnavarro61]

Micah thank you for the Catechism book. I'm waiting for it