Right: I am looking at the Scriptures "a-priori 'Catholic glasses' instead of looking at the Scriptures and what they actually say" but YOU are analogous to a white coated scientist in a lab totally and completely detached from the results of an experiment just going where the facts lead when you read Scripture.
As if you DON'T read Scripture a-priori through LUTHERAN glasses instead of looking at the Scriptures and what they actually say.
You know--if the Scriptures speak for themselves Luther should never have had to add the word "alone" to "justified by Faith..." as the Scriptures are clear and are in need of no human alteration to clarify their meaning. Why did Luther think the Scriptures imperfect and in need of his corrections?
The fact is Bonnie, NO ONE approached the Scriptures from an objective standpoint. EVERYONE approaches Scripture with pre-conceived notions as to what they teach.
EVERYONE reads into the Scriptures their own unique theological traditions and peculiar belief systems. Don't give me this nonsense about me reading into Scripture, but you just reading the Scriptures and allowing the data to take you where it will.
For Catholics this is why Christ founded a Church and endowed it with His authority to teach the Scriptures. You see---without an authoritative Church, you can pretty much make the Scriptures say whatever you want them to say.