Question for Today

What are your expectations/hopes for the Didache Bible?

Gird Your Loins Like a Man!

And Another Bible in Its Traditions Video

Come and help us, even with only one penny! Venez nous aider, même avec un seul sou ! from Hervé Ponsot on Vimeo.

The Bible in Its Traditions Blog

There is a new blog/portal for this project, which you can access here.

Another Bible in Its Traditions Video

Join us, academic scholars! Venez nous rejoindre, chercheurs ! from Hervé Ponsot on Vimeo.

The Bible in Its Traditions Video

Sunday's Message

I am continuing a new weekly series which will be posted every Sunday morning called "Sunday's Message." Here, I will reproduce the readings for Mass from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition.  I want to thank Greg Pierce at ACTA for giving me permission to do this weekly post.  While this is not an "official" Catholic edition, one of my hopes for doing this new series is to have a lively discussion on the renderings, compared to the more formal ones we are use to reading and hearing at Mass.  Is there a place for a translation like this?  Could this be a good Bible to give to a Catholic "seeker" or young adult? 

Exodus 22:20-26

“Anyone who sacrifices to a god other than God alone must be put to death.

“Don’t abuse or take advantage of strangers; you, remember, were once strangers in Egypt.

“Don’t mistreat widows or orphans. If you do and they cry out to me, you can be sure I’ll take them most seriously; I’ll show my anger and come raging among you with the sword, and your wives will end up widows and your children orphans.

“If you lend money to my people, to any of the down-and-out among you, don’t come down hard on them and gouge them with interest.

“If you take your neighbor’s coat as security, give it back before nightfall; it may be your neighbor’s only covering—what else does the person have to sleep in?"

Psalm  18

God is bedrock under my feet,

the castle in which I live,

my rescuing knight.

My God—the high crag

where I run for dear life,

hiding behind the boulders,

safe in the granite hideout.

I sing to God, the Praise-Lofty,

and find myself safe and saved.

The hangman’s noose was tight at my throat;

devil waters rushed over me.

This God set things right for me

and shut up the people who talked back.

God’s king takes the trophy;

God’s chosen is beloved.

I mean David and all his children—

always.

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.

Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

Matthew 22:34-40

When the Pharisees heard how he had bested the Sadducees, they gathered their forces for an assault. One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: “Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

Common Sense from Fr. Barron (as usual)

Saint John's Bible Heritage Edition Visits My School

This past Monday, my friend Jason, who is an ambassador for the Saint John's Bible, visited the high school where I teach in order to share with my students the SJB Heritage Edition Gospels and Acts.  He spent the day with my classes, doing a total of seven 40 minute presentations during the day.  It was a truly great day!  The kids were able to learn about the SJB, as well as flip through pages of the book.  Below are some pictures from the event.

Jason did a series of interviews with me a couple years back, which you can read here and here.

Sunday's Message

I am continuing a new weekly series which will be posted every Sunday morning called "Sunday's Message." Here, I will reproduce the readings for Mass from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition.  I want to thank Greg Pierce at ACTA for giving me permission to do this weekly post.  While this is not an "official" Catholic edition, one of my hopes for doing this new series is to have a lively discussion on the renderings, compared to the more formal ones we are use to reading and hearing at Mass.  Is there a place for a translation like this?  Could this be a good Bible to give to a Catholic "seeker" or young adult? 

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

God’s Message to his anointed,

to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand

To give the task of taming the nations,

of terrifying their kings—

He gave him free rein,

no restrictions:

It’s because of my dear servant Jacob,

Israel my chosen,

That I’ve singled you out, called you by name,

and given you this privileged work.

And you don’t even know me!

I am God, the only God there is.

Besides me there are no real gods.

I’m the one who armed you for this work,

though you don’t even know me,

So that everyone, from east to west, will know

that I have no god-rivals.

I am God, the only God there is.

Psalm 96

Sing God a brand-new song!

Earth and everyone in it, sing!

Sing to God—worship God!

Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,

Take the news of his glory to the lost,

News of his wonders to one and all!

For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.

His terrible beauty makes the gods look cheap;

Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.

God made the heavens—

Royal splendor radiates from him,

A powerful beauty sets him apart.

Bravo, God, Bravo!

Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!

In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.

Bring gifts and celebrate,

Bow before the beauty of God, Then to your knees—everyone worship!

Get out the message—God Rules!

He put the world on a firm foundation;

He treats everyone fair and square.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace be with you! God’s robust peace!

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn’t just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

Matthew 22:15-21

That’s when the Pharisees plotted a way to trap him into saying something damaging. They sent their disciples, with a few of Herod’s followers mixed in, to ask, “Teacher, we know you have integrity, teach the way of God accurately, are indifferent to popular opinion, and don’t pander to your students. So tell us honestly: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.

“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”

They said, “Caesar.”  “Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”

Didache Bible Bonded Leather Cover

According to Ignatius, it's "a deep reddish brown, similar to burgundy, bonded leather with gold-embossed lettering."

Thanks to Eric for the scoop!

Jewish Study Bible: Second Edition

Thanks to reader Russ for pointing this out to me.  I found the first edition to be an amazing resource.  More info on the second edition here and below:

Edited by Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler

New to this Edition:

• Over two dozen new and updated essays
• Updated annotations for nearly the entire Bible

• Informative essays that address a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism's use and interpretation of the Bible throughout the ages
• Section and book introductions that deliver insights into the background, structure, and meaning of the text
• Running commentary beside the biblical text that provides in-depth theological interpretation
• Features the Jewish Publication Society TANAKH translation
• Full-color Oxford Bible maps
• Verse and chapter differences between the Hebrew text and many English translations
• Table of Scriptural readings for synagogue use
• Glossary of technical terms

For Those Who Are Spending Too Much Time Worrying About the Synod

A Re-Opening: New Oxford Annotated Bible 4th Edition (Genuine Leather)

Back in August, south-east Michigan was hit with some terrible flooding.  My town received over 5 inches of rain in a short period.  Needless to say, our basement flooded with two feet of sewage.  It was not a pleasant smell.  Among the many things that were ruined or lost were a decent number of Bibles and other biblical works.  I am not going to be getting most of these things back, some of them are out of print while others are too expensive.  I did, however, re-order one Bible since I loved the overall package.  So, here, is my re-opening of the New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (4th Edition) in black genuine leather.

Sunday's Message

I am continuing a new weekly series which will be posted every Sunday morning called "Sunday's Message." Here, I will reproduce the readings for Mass from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition.  I want to thank Greg Pierce at ACTA for giving me permission to do this weekly post.  While this is not an "official" Catholic edition, one of my hopes for doing this new series is to have a lively discussion on the renderings, compared to the more formal ones we are use to reading and hearing at Mass.  Is there a place for a translation like this?  Could this be a good Bible to give to a Catholic "seeker" or young adult? 

Isaiah 25:6-10a

But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies

will throw a feast for all the people of the world,

A feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines,

a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.

And here on this mountain, God will banish

the pall of doom hanging over all peoples,

The shadow of doom darkening all nations.

Yes, he’ll banish death forever.

And God will wipe the tears from every face.

He’ll remove every sign of disgrace

From his people, wherever they are.

Yes! God says so!

Also at that time, people will say,

“Look at what’s happened! This is our God!

We waited for him and he showed up and saved us!

This God, the one we waited for!

Let’s celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation.

God’s hand rests on this mountain!”

Psalm 23

God, my shepherd!

I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

you let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through

Death Valley,

I’m not afraid

when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner

right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me

every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God

for the rest of my life.

Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20

I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.

Matthew 22:1-14

Jesus responded by telling still more stories. “God’s kingdom,” he said, “is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn’t come!

“He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, ‘Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!’

“They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.

“Then he told his servants, ‘We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren’t up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.’ The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.

“When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn’t properly dressed. He said to him, ‘Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!’ The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, ‘Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn’t get back in.’

“That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’”

Lighthouse Catholic Media RSV-2CE/ICSB NT

And then there is this:

This Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition Bible brings together all of the books of the New Testament and the penetrating study tools developed by renowned Bible teachers Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, presenting the written Word of God in a highly readable, accurate translation.

With illuminating study notes, topical essays and thorough indices making, this New Testament Bible is excellent for personal and group study. The RSV-2CE is the only Bible translation that uses standard English and is conformity with the Church's translation guidelines found in the Vatican document,Liturgiam Authenticam.

This beautiful Bible retails for over $20... Order 25 or more and get it for only $2.97 per Bible. That's over a 70% discount!

This New Testament Bible features:

-- Selected study notes from the Ignatius Study Bible on the Biblical evidence for the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist

-- Topical essays from Scripture experts Dr. Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch

-- Detailed indices of doctrines, parables, miracles, and more

Didache Release Date Update

As mentioned by reader Rolf, and confirmed when I received the Ignatius Fall Books catalogue, the Didache Bible is set for release on December 15 according to Ignatius Press.  It will be available in hardcover and bonded leather editions.  For a first look, go here.

A Reader's Question

Greetings, I wasn't sure were to post my question (if you'd be so kind as to answer it)? I was looking for a commentary for using the NABRE for Lectio Divina, is there any spiritual commentaries you'd recommend?

Any thoughts?  My initial thought would be the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture.  Although it isn't specifically a spiritual commentary, it certainly has that component in it.  

Listen to the Pope!

Coming Soon from the PBC

Liturgical Press will be publishing The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture: TheWord That Comes from God and Speaks of God for the Salvation of the World in mid-November.  It will come with a foreword by Gerhard Ludwig Müller.   

In his 2009 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI pointed out that “theological reflection has always considered inspiration and truth as two key concepts for an ecclesial hermeneutic of the sacred Scriptures” and that there is today the need “for a fuller and more adequate study of these realities, in order to better respond to the need of interpreting the sacred texts in accordance with their nature.”

The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture: The Word That Comes from God and Speaks of God for the Salvation of the World is the contribution of the Pontifical Biblical Commission toward a more adequate understanding of the concepts of inspiration and truth that respects both the nature of the Bible and its significance for the life of the Church. Drawing on a close reading of the Scriptures themselves, the document focuses on three main aspects:

1.    The inspiration of Sacred Scripture and the exploration of its divine provenance

2.    The truth of the Word of God, emphasizing the message about God and his project of salvation

3.    Challenges that arise from the Bible itself, on account of certain aspects that seem inconsistent with its quality of being the Word of God

Reading this document, formally approved by Pope Francis, will strengthen the reader to receive the word of God—in the liturgical assembly and in every other place—in its theological, Christological, soteriological, and ecclesiological context in a way that corresponds ever more closely to this unique gift of God whereby God communicates his very self and invites us into communion with him.

Sunday's Message

I am continuing a new weekly series which will be posted every Sunday morning called "Sunday's Message." Here, I will reproduce the readings for Mass from The Message: Catholic/Ecumenical Edition.  I want to thank Greg Pierce at ACTA for giving me permission to do this weekly post.  While this is not an "official" Catholic edition, one of my hopes for doing this new series is to have a lively discussion on the renderings, compared to the more formal ones we are use to reading and hearing at Mass.  Is there a place for a translation like this?  Could this be a good Bible to give to a Catholic "seeker" or young adult? 

Isaiah 5:1-7

I’ll sing a ballad to the one I love,

a love ballad about his vineyard:

The one I love had a vineyard,

a fine, well-placed vineyard.

He hoed the soil and pulled the weeds,

and planted the very best vines.

He built a lookout, built a winepress,

a vineyard to be proud of.

He looked for a vintage yield of grapes,

but for all his pains he got junk grapes.

“Now listen to what I’m telling you,

you who live in Jerusalem and Judah.

What do you think is going on

between me and my vineyard?

Can you think of anything I could have done

to my vineyard that I didn’t do?

When I expected good grapes,

why did I get bitter grapes?

“Well now, let me tell you

what I’ll do to my vineyard:

I’ll tear down its fence

and let it go to ruin.

I’ll knock down the gate

and let it be trampled.

I’ll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for—

thistles and thorns will take over.

I’ll give orders to the clouds:

‘Don’t rain on that vineyard, ever!’”

Do you get it? The vineyard of God-of-the-Angel-Armies

is the country of Israel.

All the men and women of Judah

are the garden he was so proud of.

He looked for a crop of justice

and saw them murdering each other.

He looked for a harvest of righteousness

and heard only the moans of victims.

Psalm 80

You prepared the good earth,

you planted her roots deep;

the vineyard filled the land.

So why do you no longer protect your vine?

Trespassers pick its grapes at will;

Wild pigs crash through and crush it,

and the mice nibble away at what’s left.

God-of-the-Angel-Armies, turn our way!

Take a good look at what’s happened

and attend to this vine.

Care for what you once tenderly planted—

the vine you raised from a shoot.

And those who dared to set it on fire—

give them a look that will kill!

God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!

Smile your blessing smile:

That will be our salvation.

Philippians 4:6-9

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Matthew 21:33-43

“Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

“The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘they will respect my son.’

“But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’ They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

“Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?”

“He’ll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance,” they answered. “Then he’ll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it’s time.”

Jesus said, “Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out

is now the cornerstone.

This is God’s work;

we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!

“This is the way it is with you. God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.”

Pope Francis and United Bible Societies

A Reader's Question

"I have a bit of a strange question that I wondered if you or your readers might have an answer for. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to reinforce a paperback Bible? Originally I was trying to make due with my Lighthouse App with the Ignatius Study Bible add on, and my Ignatius Study Bible NT, since for various reasons I never recieved my paperback bible during RCIA last year, but I mostly was figuring I only had to make due until October when the Didache Study Bible was supposed to be out. Well of course I found out it was postponed thanks to your blog, and I've also in the meantime finally recieved said paperback Bible through a retreat at church. I have always been scared to death to try to use paperback Bibles because they tear up and get bent so easily (I still can see one from a youth convention in 1996 in my mind all torn up from attempting to use it as my school Bible) - but I didn't know if anyone had any ideas that would at least make it usable at home? And prevent it from needing to go in the recycling bin?"

Any thoughts?