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 Sirach 49-51 and (because it is Sunday) Psalms 103 and 104.

We end the book of Sirach (and for all practical purposes, the Wisdom books) with a long prayer of thanksgiving that recounts God's faithful deeds. 

Psalm 103 is the quintessential Psalm of praise for God's mercy. It is a wonderful match to Sirach's closing canticle of praise!

Psalm 104 praises God the Creator in charming detail. Look for verse 30: it has inspired many Pentecost hymns and novenas to the Holy Spirit: Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Here is a lovely choral setting of Psalm 104: 27-28 by Jean Berger: 

 

Start reading Sirach here and the Psalms 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.