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:
My God, I adore and thank your loving and wise Providence, manifested on every page of Sacred Scripture. You have always been close to sinful and erring humanity, and have indicated the way and given hope. Amid the shadows of error and corruption, you kindled the light of your truth; amid universal corruption, you are the Just One; amid so much idolatry, humanity in every corner of the earth has cultivated a sincere worship of you.
Let my reading today increase my trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your unfailing faithfulness.
Today's chapters are Ruth 3-4 and 1 Samuel 1.
Notice what happens in chapter 4 of Ruth: the removal of a sandal as part of a contract to acquire a field from Naomi (a contract that not coincidentally involves Boaz marrying Ruth). John the Baptist makes reference to the same ceremonial action when he says he is not worthy to "unfasten the sandal" of Christ, who alone has the right to espouse the Church.
With today's new book (yay!) we shift into high gear, historically speaking. Like the matriarchs Sarah and Rachel, Hannah is a cherished but childless wife whose miracle baby will be a sign of God's presence with his people. Hannah's son will not be important in himself, but as a prophet who will speak God's word and anoint kings in God's name.
What's in a Name? I have a Bible in my office that is older than I am, and in this edition there is no 1 or 2 Samuel: there are 1, 2, 3 and 4 Kings. Modern Bibles call these same books 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. (There are other name differences in books up ahead, too. This is just the most confusing one.)
Begin reading Ruth here and 1 Samuel 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.
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