Read the Bible with Me!

Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! I'm reading the Bible clear through this year, and I invite you to read along with me. But first, let us pray: 

God of my fathers, Lord of mercy,
who have made all things by your word
and in your wisdom have created people 
to rule this world that you have made,
and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, 
and reject me not from among your children;
for I am your servant, the child of your handmaid, 
a weak human being,  
and lacking in comprehension of your Word and your will.

Send your Wisdom from the holy heavens,
from your glorious throne,
to be with me, to guide me,
to enlighten me, to lead me to you.
(Based on Wis 9)

Today's chapters are Song of Songs 7-8 and Wisdom 1

We finish the Song of Songs today and begin the Book of Wisdom (also called the Wisdom of Solomon). 

Even though it is in the middle of the Bible, Wisdom was one of the last books (perhaps the very last book) to be written of all the Old Testament. It is among those that are not included in most Protestant Bibles or in the standard Jewish scriptures. With his Jewish consultants, even St Jerome had his doubts about this book, but he was almost alone among the Fathers of the Church in having any questions at all about its inspired nature. As we read along, we will find much that is familiar, and some passages that are strikingly important.

Start reading Song of Songs here and begin Wisdom here.

If you are looking for a solid but approachable companion to the Bible, I can wholeheartedly recommend A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre. Although the authors are top-level Scripture scholars, they write for "real" readers. Notes include recent findings from archaeology and ancient manuscripts, and how each book of the Bible has been understood by the Church Fathers and used in Liturgy.