My wife Ellen and I have been attending a bible study series in our parish. When we meet we start with a video presentation. During last week’s video the presenter talked about how many people attend Mass every Sunday but can’t remember what the scripture readings were by the time the Mass ended. He encouraged people to follow the readings in their missal or the pew missal.
We had a little discussion after the video. I opined the scriptures were originally intended to be heard, listened to, not read. I suggested reading the scriptures before Mass, perhaps the night before, and reflecting on them prayerfully. Another person stated the scriptures are the Word of God, implying they are properly read in the pew at Mass.
The discussion ended there.
I would like to address this.
I think we should think of our relationship with God as being like the relationship of two lovers, one pursuing the other. I use as an example the Song of Solomon 4:1-16.*
Before we married, while we were both in college, my wife and I would write letters to each other. I think that is a common thing between courting couples. They had a special meaning to each of us. They were for us to read and no one else. They served as a reminder of our feelings for each other.
When we would see each other when we were home we did not bring the letters along and read them in each other’s presence. We did not need the letters. We could talk directly to each other. Or we could remain silent and just enjoy each other’s company.
Sacred Scripture is God’s love letters to us. When we are not with Him in a church or a chapel we can read of His love for us. We can compose a letter for Him in our hearts and share it with Him. This is prayer. When we are in His physical presence in the form of the Eucharist, either in a tabernacle or a monstrance, we should speak with Him and listen to Him as if He were our human beloved.
I would suggest reading the readings for the day’s Mass the day or night before and reflecting on them in preparation for Mass. Compose your response to Him in your heart to share with Him. That frees you at Mass to just listen and respond from your heart at that time.
When should you use your missal or the pew missal? Use it for the responses during the Mass if you need to. Use it for the hymns or the psalms. Try to listen to the readings being proclaimed by the reader, the deacon or the priest without reading along.
Give it a try.
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* Song of Solomon 4:1–16
1Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead.
2Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them is bereaved.
3Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil.
4Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an arsenal, whereon hang a thousand bucklers, all of them shields of warriors.
5Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies.
6Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, I will hasten to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincense.
7You are all fair, my love; there is no flaw in you.
8Come with me from Lebanon, my bride; come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the peak of Amana, from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of lions, from the mountains of leopards.
9You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride, you have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
10How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride! how much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
11Your lips distil nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue; the scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.
12A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a garden locked, a fountain sealed.
13Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard,
14nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices—
15a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon.
16Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, let its fragrance be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat its choicest fruits.
Greg Gillen
May 30, 2025
© 2025 Greg Gillen
Image Credit/northrydechurch.org/2023/02/05/gods-love-letter-to-you/
Acknowledgement: Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
Image © Outreach Media 2023
Scripture/Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition
