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 2 Maccabees 12-15.

I added a fourth chapter today so that we could finish the book AND the section of historical books.

Chapter 12 has a significant story in it. We have already seen that by this time (164 BC), belief in the resurrection of the dead had developed on the basis of God's creative power and faithfulness. Now we see that this belief in a future resurrection of the body also includes the possibility of purification from sin even after death, and in the possibility of intercession on behalf of those who have died. This chapter, in other words, offers a Scriptural basis for Catholic teachings about Purgatory (there are other references, such as Matthew 12:31-32 which references sins being forgiven "in the age to come").

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.