Read the Bible with Me!

Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! We've been reading the Bible clear through this year. We've reached the New Testament, so read along with me. But first, let us pray: 

Father,

When the fullness of time had come, you sent your Word in the One who said, “Whoever sees me, sees the Father.” No revelation can surpass this, until Jesus comes again in glory. 

Open my mind today to the gift of life and truth your Word offers me through the Church. By your Holy Spirit, grant me wisdom and strength to put this Word into practice and to become, myself, a presence of Jesus for people who are looking for you.

Jesus, eternal Word and Son of the Father, live in me with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Today's chapters are Acts 20-22.

Chapter 20 refers to the Christian community of Troas gathered for the "breaking of bread" on the "first day of the week." We can point to this as an example of Sunday Mass dating back to the apostolic period. 

As he prepares to return to the Holy Land, Paul wants to give some parting words to the leaders of the various communities, but rather than actually go to the local churches (which would involve added weeks or months), he summons the "overseers" ("episkopoi": bishops). In his exhortation, he quotes words of Jesus that we do not find in our Gospels. Did he have a scroll of "Jesus sayings" that the Gospel writers drew from? Another source of teachings? It is tantalizing to think about. And it is moving to see that the thought of never seeing Paul's face again brought his friends and converts to tears.

Once back in Jerusalem, Paul embarks on his own Way of the Cross. In many ways, his sufferings will parallel those of passion of the Lord, except that Paul, the Roman citizen, will invoke his citizenship to eventually get free (if uncomfortable) passage to Rome. At every step, he takes advantage of his position to preach the Gospel.

Image of Paul's farewell at Miletus is from the Basilica of St Paul's-outside-the-Walls; by Sister Sergia Ballini, FSP. Used with permission.

Start reading here.

For additional background

Now that we're being introduced to Saul of Tarsus, it's time for me to introduce you to my single favorite volume on St Paul. This is the book I would recommend to someone who wanted to read one (only one) book that combined the life and letters of St Paul. Written by the noted Scripture scholar N. T. Wright, this is a flowing narrative that is Scripturally enlightening and historically sound. Paul: A Biography gives the reader a way of following Paul through the Acts of the Apostles and as he writes his letters and makes Paul the person that much more approachable.