“You should approach Joyce's Ulysses as the illiterate Baptist preacher approaches the Old Testament: with faith.”

Simplified Meaning:

Imagine you have a book that seems really hard to understand. Like trying to read a super complicated story with lots of big words and strange ideas. This is how a lot of people feel when they read "Ulysses" by James Joyce, an author who wrote in a very unique and challenging style. Now, think of someone who can't read very well but deeply loves the Bible. They might not grasp every detail, but they believe and trust in its message. They have faith that the Bible is important and meaningful, even if they don't understand everything in it. Similarly, when you read "Ulysses," you don't need to get every single part to appreciate it. Trust that it's a great piece of work and that it has value. Read it with an open mind and patience, and let your belief in its goodness guide you through the tough parts. Even if you don't understand it all, you can still find enjoyment and meaning, just like the preacher does with the Bible.