Bible study with the Lectionary

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rlg94086

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I would like to use the daily readings for Bible study and have a couple of questions:
  1. After finishing the 2(weekly) and 3(sunday) year cycles, how much of the Bible would I have missed?
  2. Does anyone know of any resources which include exegesis corresponding to the daily readings?
I have found good resources (i.e. www.mobilegabriel.com) that have a small homily, but I would like a deeper, scriptural study. My understanding is that the OT, letters/epistles and gospel are supposed to be related.

God bless Catholic Answers!
 
Word Among Us, a monthly magazine from Emmaus Press has a relflection on the daily readings. It gives the references for the readings, but does not reprint them. You can buy Abide in the Word from them which has the readings for the entire year, and also a very nice scripture journal, all for a decent price. they carry very good devotional commentaries on the books of the new testament, as well as several topical bible studies for individual or small group use. it is I think wordamongus.com

Magnificat is the best all around source for individuals with daily mass readings, and a reflection based on the scripture of the day, as well as lives of the saints, morning, evening and night prayer. Excellent for those who travel.
 
I don’t know for sure, but I think the three-year cycle doesn’t come close to a comprehensive coverage of the Bible.

I just heard a priest the other day, though, take credit for covering as much as we do.

I heard an evangelical minister say once that if a preacher covered just 4 verses of scripture each sunday, then it would take over 27 years to cover the Bible (and that’s the protestant, 66-book bible).

So, which way would you have it? There are reading guides to lead you to read the Bible in 365 days.

I came across a Canadian website where a franciscan priest had commentaries for all the readings in the lectionary. It was amazingly insightful. Sorry, but I lost the URL when I switched ISPs.
 
Thank you for your recommendations asquared…after a little more googling, I found some additional daily reflections. What I’m really looking for is more along the lines of www.cdowk.org/daily.htm which comments on the scriptures specifically.

BCRick, I was including the 2-yr cycle of daily readings, which should increase the count somewhat since it adds 626 days of readings to the 156 days in the 3-yr Sunday cycle. I’m sure it’s still short, but I’m curious how short. I think I’m going to have to painstakingly create a spreadsheet, sort by book/chapter and find the gaps.

I’ve seen 365-day guides, but they are mostly protestant and don’t include commentary (probably a good thing 😉 ). As mentioned above, I would like something that will give me additional insight ala Scott Hahn.

rlg
 
Correction: Not all of cdowk’s reflections are as direct as the first one I read - Nov. 23.
 
I have several volumes by John Michael Talbot with reflections on the daily Gospel readings, one on Lent Cycle A, one on Ordinary time, Cycle B, one on OT cycle C. They are published by Servant Publications, Ann Arbor, and are about 10 yrs old but may still be in print.

I also wanted more in depth study, as preparation for lectio divina with the daily readings, so I use the Ignatius Study bible books by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch (Ignatius Press). that way I read the entire chapter, including “skipped” verses, and still keep up with the lectionary. Having completed the Gospels, I am now going back to the epistles as they become available. If I had the money I would by the Navarre bible books.
 
asquared,

Bingo. I am considering oblation with Mt Angel Abbey (Benedictine) in Oregon. Using the daily readings for lectio divina is exactly what I am planning to do. I’m currently reading “Lectio Divina” by Mario Masini.

I appreciate the advice and will take the same path. I am familiar with both the Navarre and Ignatius series, but I don’t have the funds right now. The daily reflections I’ve found will have to do.

:blessyou: rlg
 
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rlg94086:
asquared,

Bingo. I am considering oblation with Mt Angel Abbey (Benedictine) in Oregon. Using the daily readings for lectio divina is exactly what I am planning to do. I’m currently reading “Lectio Divina” by Mario Masini.

I appreciate the advice and will take the same path. I am familiar with both the Navarre and Ignatius series, but I don’t have the funds right now. The daily reflections I’ve found will have to do.

:blessyou: rlg
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the Ignatius bible paperback booklets are less than ten bucks each, and if you are using them with the lectionary, will last a whole year (you also need John’s gospel for Easter season), but you don’t have to buy the individual books. Just get any good Catholic study bible with notes, follow the lectionary, but when you get to the gospel, also read up on the part before and after today’s reading to “fill in the blanks” so to speak.

since the guidelines for lectio urge us to “prepare” the reading before hand, we read the selection first just to read it. read it again following the study notes, looking up words and references if necessary. then of course you hear it proclaimed during Mass (if you go daily), and you may read a daily devotional commentary.

then, maybe now or later in the day, you are ready for lectio. You now read the passage slowly, as you have been guided by those who introduced you to this practice, and proceed with your devotion.

you can also do this on-line with daily scripture readings on most good catholic websites, catholicexchange.com, catholic.net, catholic.org

we should also make it clear that Bible study is not the same thing as lectio divina. in fact “bible study” means different things to different people. there are many good bible studies on-line here and at the sites listed above, and in print, but doing them is NOT lectio, it can be preparation for lectio, but does not replace it. Lectio is a devotional practice of slowly, deliberately reading a pre-selected scripture passage for the purpose of meditation, prayer and contemplation of Jesus Christ as encountered through the Word proclaimed and written for us.
 
JMJ + OBT​

Though it’s not exactly a Bible study per se, I highly recommend the following daily reflection series which has substantial reflections for every day in the seasonal calendar – 3 for each Sunday specific to years A, B and C; 1 for each weekday that tends to focus more on the Gospel, which is common to both years 1 and 2, and often blending insights/commentary for the first readings for both cycles. Also, there are substantial reflections for select days in the sanctoral calendar, i.e. the saints’ days:

In Conversation with God. The set can be purchased one volume at a time as well.

If you don’t have one already, you should probably consider investing in a complete Latin-English Daily Roman Missal too…

The author of “In Conversation” is a priest of Opus Dei, and for the reflections he draws on John Paul II, Vatican II Documents, documents of Popes and Councils across the past 2000 years, lives and writings of the Saints, etc. etc. etc. Really, this is amazing stuff. Also, it is printed in handy little pocket-sized volumes, with sown bindings and flexible covers that should last for a couple of decades at least.

Now, it definitely is highly conservative in tone and content; but the teaching is absolutely faithful to the Magisterium. Also, it has a bit of a cerebral edge to it, but will touch and move your heart too.

I feel like my whole life and certainly my personal faith has been marvelously enriched by reading each day’s reflection(s).

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

IC XC NIKA
 
Thanks Michael…er…whosebob.

I used the “look inside” feature at amazon to check for an Imprematur or Nihil Obstat, but I don’t see one. I was told to always look for these. Do you know what gives?

amazon.com/gp/reader/0906138191/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-4758200-6644949#reader-page

Excuse my ignorance, but is it because it is a British publication, or is it just that they didn’t ask for one?

It looks like it is just what I need, but I would like to know that it is not contrary to the Magisterium, as you mentioned.

Blessings,

Robert.

BTW…nice website - it’s now in my favorites!
 
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rlg94086:
Thanks Michael…er…whosebob. I used the “look inside” feature at amazon to check for an Imprematur or Nihil Obstat, but I don’t see one. I was told to always look for these. Do you know what gives? . . . BTW…nice website - it’s now in my favorites!
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JMJ + OBT​

Dear Robert,

Well . . . I hadn’t noticed before that these volumes don’t bear the imprimi potest nor nihil obstat nor imprimatur. They do have “with ecclesiastical approval” but that “stamp” carries virtually no canonical weight.

Now, if one were to make the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church the “norm” for judging such things, then I can give you my personal assurances (since I have read the CCC from front to back) that the “In Conversation” series is in perfect harmony with it – I’ve read 95%+ of the material in the seven “In Conversation” volumes. But, alas, I know that personal assurances aren’t going to cut it in this context, especially ones from virtual strangers.

I don’t know why these books don’t bear these important marks of “approval.” Perhaps it is the sheer volume and density of the material – altogether over 3,500+ pages.

I wrote the Midwest Theological Forum via e-mail and asked for feedback on this matter. Let’s see what happens!

Thanks for the compliment regarding my website. God bless you.

In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

IC XC NIKA
 
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