The Importance of Scripture to Catholics

Sometimes Catholics are accused of not putting any importance on scripture. But this is not true. The Mass itself exemplifies how important scripture is to Catholics.  As soon as the ministers and celebrant process into the church, the scriptures are held high above everyone.  You notice that immediately.

At the completion of the procession, the book of scriptures is placed in the center of the altar.

When it becomes time to read the Gospel, only an ordained minister can do that.  And he carries the book up high, again to the ambo the read it. AND!  EVERYONE stands up to listen to the Words.  We also pray by word and gesture: May we hold these Words in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

Once the ordained minister finishes reading, he places the Book on a pedestal or a shelf that is high so everyone can see it.

And this is only the physical, obvious points.  The Mass itself, follows scripture.  But that's for another post.