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WASHINGTON (October 28, 1998)--Daily Scripture readings, a brief glossary of biblical and liturgical terms and frequently asked questions about the Bible and the Mass now appear on the U.S. Bishops' Web site, home of the New American Bible home page.
The New American Bible (NAB) home page provides the readings eight days at a time, from Sunday to Sunday. It can be found at http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab.
The page assists people who want to meditate on the Scriptures in preparation for Sunday Mass each week or read the psalms in an organized fashion.
Most Reverend Richard J. Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee and Episcopal Liaison to the NAB Board of Control, praised the Web page for increasing accessibility to the Scriptures.
"I am very grateful for this opportunity to share the weekly Lectionary readings with so many people throughout the nation," he said.
"Studying the readings prior to the liturgy helps people prepare for a more fruitful celebration of the day's Eucharist," Bishop Sklba said. "It is important that Catholics in the United States have access to the Word of God as proclaimed in their parish churches each day."
Other highlights of the home page include a daily psalm reading which guides a regular reader through the entire Psalter twice each year, background information on the New American Bible, and some frequently asked questions.
Questions include queries such as "What's the difference between a 'Catholic Bible' and a 'Protestant Bible?' (Answer: Catholic and Protestant Bibles both include 27 books in the New Testament. Protestant Bibles have only 39 books in the Old Testament, however, while Catholic Bibles have 46. The seven additional books included in Catholic Bibles are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholic Bibles also include additions to the Books of Esther and Daniel which are not found in Protestant Bibles. These books are called the deuterocanonical books. The Catholic Church considers these books to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.)
Other question and answers discuss reading from the Bible at Mass, how many versions of the New American Bible exist, the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, which translations of the Bible can be used at Mass, and copyrights of Scripture translations.
A glossary of terms used in the questions and answers appears at the end of the section and include such words as Advent, canticle, lectionary and solemnity.
The page also provides an opportunity for users to contact the New American Bible with other questions. While individuals will not receive a personal response, the FAQs and glossary will be expanded in response to these contacts.