At holy Mass, the readings that are proclaimed are always taken from the text inspired by the Holy Spirit, found in the books which holy Mother Church has infallibly defined to be part of the sacred scriptures. The readings are responded to by the chanting or recitation of the psalms or other verses of the inspired text.

The “readings” at Mass are ideally themselves chanted. This is done at all sung Masses of the older form, and in the Eastern Catholic rites. It is supposed to be done at the modern form of Mass, though it is rarely observed nowadays except at some cathedral or papal Masses. This is a pity because the place of the scriptures is easily reduced to that of instruction rather than being a part of the solemn worship of God. We read or chant the scriptures at Mass as part of the offering we make to God from what He has given us.

We should also be keen to understand and learn from the sacred text. There are many aids nowadays in the Catholic media, both in print and online. As Catholics, we read the scriptures in the light of Christ, informed by the teaching of the Church.