The Catholic Bible Institute invites you to join the upcoming “Bible Talks Series”

The Catholic Bible Institute: Bible Talks Series will have a talk ‘I Treasure your Word in my Heart: Liturgical Music as a Means of Biblical Interpretation’ presented by Dr. Abigail Bodeau, Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology on April 25, 2026 from 9am-10:30am (PT) via Zoom.

Synopsis: 

Sacrosanctum Concilium explains that scripture should be one of the main sources for the texts of liturgical music. This presentation will explore how Catholic liturgical music interprets biblical texts. Participants will gain an appreciation for how musical settings of biblical texts interpret the Bible for congregations. We will first discuss how the Psalms give expression to the full gamut of human emotions. Patterning liturgical music of the Psalms gives congregants the language to bring their entire lives to God. We will then discuss how Catholic hymnals interpret prophetic literature. In all major Catholic hymnals, oracles of hope and traditionally Christological passages far outweigh oracles of judgment. Liturgical music often emphasizes positive emotions and will transform an oracle of judgment into a message of hope and consolations for a community. We will discuss the consequences of disproportionally emphasizing hope and restoration, which risks forming communities that lose the ability to lament or recognize God’s judgment, in favor of a saccharine image of God’s hope.