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

Simplified Meaning:

Tackling "Ulysses" by James Joyce can be difficult, just like trying to read the Old Testament without being able to read well. Imagine a preacher who believes in the Bible completely, even if he can't read it very easily or understand every word. His strong faith helps him to get the most out of it, despite the challenges. In the same way, when reading "Ulysses," you should have confidence and trust that you will gain something valuable, even if it’s hard to understand at times. Instead of getting frustrated by the tough parts, stay positive and believe that the experience will be rewarding. For example, think about learning to play a musical instrument; you start with a lot of enthusiasm even if you don't know all the notes yet. Just like practicing an instrument gets easier with time, reading challenging books can also become enjoyable if you approach them with faith and patience.