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Read the Bible:

Read the Bible:

How many times have you read your favorite book? For many of us, we’ve probably read it at least twice, and probably even more times than that. From the age span of 11 to 19, I remember devouring the Harry Potter series. With each new book release, I’d spend hours a day reading about Harry and his friends’ magical adventures, and in between releases, I would go back and re-read previous books again. It took me a while, but when I was in grad school, and contemplating a lot of things, I started wondering—why had I never read the Bible? Sure, every three years the Catholic Church completes its cycle of reading the Bible at Mass and then begins reading it again, but why had I never actually sat down and read the Bible? Why had I never opened the most important book ever written? The greatest love story of all time? So, I got out my Bible my Sunday School teacher gifted me for Christmas in the third grade, and I made a Lenten promise that year that I would read the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation in one year. I failed in the one year mark—it ended up taking me a year and a few months—but I succeeded in persevering!

The questions I ask myself now, however, are why have I not re-read it like I’ve re-read so many other books? And I wonder, how many more things will I continue to learn from God’s word if I re-read it? So, I have a challenge. If you’ve never read the entire Bible, make that your goal this year. If you have read it, then I challenge you to re-read it. Read it aloud to your children, if they are older and can read, take turns reading and discuss what you’ve read. If you finish it in a year, that’s awesome, but if it takes you longer that’s awesome too, because you see, growing in your relationship with God is what really matters, and reading  the Bible is an active step in growing that relationship.

Resources:

If you’re an auditory learner and like podcasts, Ascension Press has a podcast, “Read the Bible in a Year”, with Father Mike Schmitz. 

If you’re a visual learner, you can download this printable plan for reading the Bible in a year from Aleteia. 

If you’d rather start by reading the Gospels, I recommend starting with the Gospel, According to John. Dynamic Catholic has a wonderful Bible Study, Turning Point, which is focused on the Gospel, According to John. I’ve led this Bible Study, and it’s beautiful! It contains videos, readings, and discussions. You can also read the Gospel, According to John, as you read the book 33 Days to Greater Glory, by Father Michael Gaitley. Father Gaitley’s book also has access to a free audio reading of the Gospel According, to John. 

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