Sacred Scripture and the Liturgy

• Sacred Scripture has great importance in the celebration of the Liturgy.

• Despite being an ancient book, the Bible remains the most widely read book in the world.

• It is translated into more than a thousand languages

• Historically, the Bible has been identified with the Church; It is very “catholic”.

• It is compilation of books recognized, preserved, and transmitted by the Church.

• The word “Bible” comes from the Greek plural word “biblia” (singular, “biblion”) which means “scrolls”

• “Scrolls” are multiple sheets of papyrus rolled into a scroll

• Codex Vaticanus belongs to the Vatican Library and it is one of the oldest manuscripts of the Bible in Greek, written during the fourth century.

• The Bible is a faith-book written by believers, for believers; therefore, faith is important in reading and understanding its meaning.

• The Bible is an account of life, preserved in memory, turned into text.

• The Bible is an event of community. The divine communication happened in a human setting.

• Christians view the Bible as “the written word of God”

The Bible as Word about God

• The Bible is the main “textbook” for learning who God is
• It is an expression of divine self and action.

The Bible as Word from God

• The Bible contains God’s self communication mediated through human words
• It bears God’s original idea and will.

The Bible as Word by God

• God is the principal author of the Bible, with humans as co-authors
• God put into motion the writing of His word.
• Revelation is the act of God to communicate his plan of salvation to humanity.
• The bible was written by men and women of faith, under the inspiration of God.
• Revelation is not limited to the Bible; there is also Sacred Tradition
• Tradition is a broader body of Revelation.