It is no easy task to wrap one's head around the simplicity and complexity of the traditional liturgy and its calendar. A good start is to try to read and meditate upon the Epistle and Gospel for the day utilizing the following form taken from Fr. Goffine's book "The Church's Year" published by Sarto House.
"1. Place yourself in the presence of God.
2. Humble yourself before Him, sincerely imploring His forgiveness.
3. Pray that you may be enlightened, that you may love Him. Recommend yourself to the Blessed Virgin and to the saints.
Then, step by step, read the [readings] carefully. After each point reflect upon the truth you have just read, asking yourself: 1) What must I believe? Then make an act of faith, saying: "O Lord! I will believe this truth, help my faith, increase my faith!" 2) What must I now do? I must correct the faults opposed to this truth. 3) What have I done heretofore? Unhappily, O God, I have acted in contradiction to this truth; how differently, O Jesus, from Thee and from Thy saints! 4) What shall I now do? Here make a firm resolution to put these truths into immediate practice, to contend against and overcome the faults opposed to them, and to acquire new virtue.
Then finish the reading with acts of faith, hope, and charity, and contrition; repeat the same each time you read [these readings] or any book of devotion, and you will soon perceive that great benefit for your soul is derived from such exercises."
These practices can easily be done directly before Holy Mass while sitting in the Church or, as many people do, set aside some time either Saturday evening or Sunday morning to quietly reflect upon the Scripture for the day. The more one dedicates to reading the Holy Writ, the more one finds himself drawn to it. So do it and Live Devout!
"1. Place yourself in the presence of God.
2. Humble yourself before Him, sincerely imploring His forgiveness.
3. Pray that you may be enlightened, that you may love Him. Recommend yourself to the Blessed Virgin and to the saints.
Then, step by step, read the [readings] carefully. After each point reflect upon the truth you have just read, asking yourself: 1) What must I believe? Then make an act of faith, saying: "O Lord! I will believe this truth, help my faith, increase my faith!" 2) What must I now do? I must correct the faults opposed to this truth. 3) What have I done heretofore? Unhappily, O God, I have acted in contradiction to this truth; how differently, O Jesus, from Thee and from Thy saints! 4) What shall I now do? Here make a firm resolution to put these truths into immediate practice, to contend against and overcome the faults opposed to them, and to acquire new virtue.
Then finish the reading with acts of faith, hope, and charity, and contrition; repeat the same each time you read [these readings] or any book of devotion, and you will soon perceive that great benefit for your soul is derived from such exercises."
These practices can easily be done directly before Holy Mass while sitting in the Church or, as many people do, set aside some time either Saturday evening or Sunday morning to quietly reflect upon the Scripture for the day. The more one dedicates to reading the Holy Writ, the more one finds himself drawn to it. So do it and Live Devout!
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