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: 

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 Ezra 1-3. 

We are beginning another two-volume set today: the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, also known as 1 and 2 Esdras. (3 and 4 Esdras are ancient religious texts that are not recognized as inspired Scripture.)

Ezra picks up right where 2 Chronicles left us: with Persia's conquest of Babylon (i.e. "the civilized world") and the pagan King Cyrus' inspired decree to build a temple to the God "of all the kingdoms of the earth" (2 Chronicles 36:23) in Jerusalem. The exile is over.

Start reading 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.