OCIA Session 3: The Bible & Revelation – Scripture and Tradition

Welcome back! You’ve now made it to Session 3. That’s commitment! You’ve already learned why OCIA matters and who Jesus Christ is. Today we ask: How does God speak to us? If someone asked you, “What’s the Catholic user manual for life?” you might say, “The Bible.” And you’d be right - but not completely. Catholics believe God speaks to us through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. They go hand in hand. Think of them as the two lungs of the Church - you need both to breathe.

Scripture: God’s Word in Writing

The Bible is no ordinary book. It’s actually a library - 73 books, written over centuries, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It tells the story of God’s love for humanity.

Here’s the amazing part: when the Scriptures are proclaimed at Mass, it’s not just a history lesson. It is God speaking to us right now. “Indeed, the word of God is living and effective” (Hebrews 4:12). Notice: living. Not “was living back in Bible times.” Living today.

Humor Break

Many Catholics own a giant family Bible that’s big enough to double as a coffee table. The problem? Nobody ever opened it. Remember: the Bible isn’t meant to collect dust - it’s meant to be read, prayed, and lived.

Tradition: God’s Word in Action

Now, Tradition doesn’t mean “what Grandma always did.” Tradition with a capital “T” is the living transmission of the faith, passed down from the apostles through the Church. Think about it: the Bible didn’t fall out of the sky with a table of contents. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, gathered and preserved those writings. Without the Church, we wouldn’t even know which books belong in the Bible! Tradition is also how we receive practices like the sacraments and the liturgy. You won’t find a verse that says, “Mass at 9 a.m. with donuts after,” but you will find the Last Supper - and the Church has faithfully handed that celebration down for 2,000 years.

Interactive Reflection

Take a few minutes. On one side of your page, write “Scripture.” On the other, write “Tradition.” Under Scripture, write one Bible story or verse that has shaped your life. Under Tradition, write one Catholic practice you’ve seen or admired (the Rosary, the Mass, saints’ feast days). Notice how they work together.

How the Bible Speaks to Us

Let’s be honest: sometimes the Bible can feel confusing. Why are there long lists of names nobody can pronounce? Why does it jump from laws about goats to parables about seeds?

Here’s the key: read it through the lens of the Church. That means:

Pay attention to the readings at Mass.
Ask, “What is God saying to me right now?”
Don’t be afraid to start small - a Gospel passage a day is better than trying to plow through Leviticus in one sitting.

Humor Break #2

Some people try to read the Bible straight through and give up by the time they hit Numbers. Don’t worry. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad Catholic. It just means you started at the wrong place. Begin with the Gospels. Think of it as starting with dessert before vegetables.

Parish Connection

Every Sunday, Catholics all over the world hear the same Scripture readings. That means if you’re on vacation in Florida, or visiting family in Mexico, or sitting in a small parish in Ireland - you’ll hear the same Word of God proclaimed. That’s unity. At Mass, when the lector finishes reading and says, “The Word of the Lord,” and we reply, “Thanks be to God,” it’s not just politeness. It’s gratitude: God just spoke to us!

Action Step

Here’s your homework this week:

Find out what the Gospel reading will be for Sunday Mass. (Hint: it’s online, or in the parish bulletin.)
Read it quietly at home before Mass.
When you hear it proclaimed on Sunday, notice what stands out. You’ll be amazed how much more alive it feels.

Closing

So how does God speak? Through the written Word - Scripture - and the living tradition of His Church. The two can’t be separated. The Bible without the Church becomes just another book. The Church without Scripture loses its heartbeat. Together, they are the voice of God for His people. Next time, we’ll tackle the biggest mystery of all: the Trinity. One God, three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and what that means for your daily life. Until then, pick up your Bible. Open it. Read it. And let God speak.

next class:
OCIA Session 4: The Trinity & God’s Love