We live at a great time in history. Access to information and entertainment is right at our fingertips. The popularity of “The Chosen,” further, shows us that many people want to know more about Jesus and his followers, but it also tells us that they want to do that in an easy and enjoyable way as well.
Here’s a thought: If you want to make reading the Bible more accessible and easier on yourself, one great way to enhance your prayer and to grow in an understanding of themain events of Jesus’ life is to invest in a “Good News-Catholic Edition” translation of the bible. That’s the translation that is used for, The Catholic Children’s Bible, –the onethat we use for most of our children’s formation classes, but not the one that is used for Mass. Yes. That’s what I’m suggesting. Get a copy of this much simpler translation so it can read more like a modern-day novel. Some of these translations come from publishers who have geared them toward children (St. Mary’s Press), while others are directed to adults Good News Translation (also called “Today’s English Version, Second Edition” from American Bible Society). Worry not, both of the aforementioned texts are on the list of approved translations from the US Bishops. Hear me out.
In a Good News Translation, the words of scripture are translated in a way that they read more like a spoken conversation, the way we naturally communicate. This translation isn’t one that you’d use for a bible study where the accuracy of each word matters. Instead, it is one that makes sense for envisioning yourself as part of the story, and then praying about your thoughts and feelings as they relate to the story, taking that to prayer. This is the one to have on your nightstand for when worries wake you up in the night,or for when you just want to set your mind at ease before going to bed. It’s also the one that you can read aloud to loved ones. In short: It is still the Bible, but in a slightly more user friendly version.
Now, that’s Good News for all of us!
