Reading the Bible…in a Year or Two

Reading the Bible…in a Year or Two

 

I did it! I read the Bible!

 

Ok, so I didn’t ‘read-read’ the Bible, I mostly listened to it being read…by Fr. Mike Schmitz on his ‘Bible in a Year’ podcast. And no, this did not occur in a year…rather it took me 2^1/2 years, because my motivation and commitment often waxed and waned. I rallied in the New Year, during Lent, and while doing my annual Marian Consecration…but then I’d miss a few days, or weeks or months, and have a hard time re-starting. It was a long, convoluted effort, but Mission Accomplished, I finally ‘read’ the bible!

 

I’ve always been intrigued by people who read the Sacred Scripture regularly. Although it’s still the number one best -selling book of all time, the Bible can be a difficult masterpiece to understand. With its 73 books and over 1,300 chapters, there is a lot happening and a lot to comprehend. I was very grateful that Fr. Mike provided commentary at the end of each day’s readings to help unwrap some of their intended meanings. 

 

From the Creation and Great Flood accounts in the book of Genesis, to Moses receiving the Ten Commandments in Exodus, to the wanderings, exiles, oppressions, deliverances, kingdoms, and ultimately the New Testament accounts of Jesus, the Bible covers over 3000 years of events that are significant to our Christian faith. Although human authors recorded and translated the documents over the years, God was the principal author, working through the writers, to convey His desired message. This is why we believe the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God.

 

After decades of going to Mass each week, I found many of the Bible stories to be quite familiar, but there were many books I didn’t know even existed. And I must admit, I only recently appreciated that so much of what is written in the Old Testament, comes to fulfillment in the New Testament. Indeed, there are over 350 prophecies noted in the Old Testament, particularly concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, that come to fulfillment in the New Testament. We have the benefit at Mass each weekend (except during the Easter season) to listen to a reading from the Old Testament and a comparable one from the New Testament. I now enjoy finding the similarities between the Old and New. 

 

On March 2^nd, I attended the final episode of season five of The Chosen as part of the watch party our Adult Faith Formation ministry offered over the past few years. Throughout this historical drama, the life of Christ and His disciples is depicted. This series has further enhanced my understanding and appreciation for the Bible story. Indeed, I feel like I’m becoming more of a Bible expert…although I’m sure I’d blow such a category if ever on the TV show Jeopardy!

 

I am so happy to have completed the Bible podcast. Although I hope to tackle it again sometime, my current Lenten commitment is to ‘re-read’ and meditate on the New Testament, which is a bit easier to do on my own. The Bible is God’s gift to us. It reflects His will and guides humanity through moral and spiritual teachings, offers hope and comfort to the oppressed, helps us navigate life’s ups and downs, and provides the path towards eternal life. We should all embrace this best-selling book and make it a part of our reading and contemplation, not only during Lent, but in our daily life.