Read the Bible with Me! (and an apology)

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.

I am so sorry!!!! 

I had all of Holy Week pre-scheduled. (I'm sure I did; I remember what I wrote for those days! Then Patricia wrote to me asking what happened. Well, technology....) I hope you kept up with three chapters for Monday (1 Chronicles 23-25) and Tuesday (1 Chronicles 26-28) along with Psalms 71 and 72. In those chapters, David is putting everything in place so that his son Solomon will be able to proceed with the construction of the Temple. 

Today's readings are 1 Chronicles 29 (finishing that book) and 2 Chronicles 1-2 and (for Lent) Psalm 73. Since the books were written together, the story flows evenly. 

Psalm 73 is a particular favorite of mine. It is the reflection of someone who has begun to succumb to resentment after seeing the wicked prosper. Then, in prayer, the realization dawns: Evildoers may enjoy many earthly goods, but the Lord is the unfailing treasure of my heart! This is a wonderful accompaniment to the first of the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit: the Kingdom of Heaven (the King!) is theirs!

Start reading 1 Chronicles here, 2 Chronicles here and the Psalm 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.