Catholic Prayer Bible, The (NRSV): Lectio Divina Edition; Deluxe

As someone who has recently converted to Catholicism, I was intrigued by lectio divina and also needed a new Catholic Bible. I'm absolutely delighted with it!! It has ample space for notes on certain pages and adequate space in others. It comes complete with 2 ribbon markers and the reflective notes are really thought provoking. Cannot recommend this Bible enough!

The hardback edition is an excellent production, with easy-to-read print and attractive lay-out. The full Bible text is there, but with manageable sections linked to boxes containing possible reflections, food for prayer, and suggested ideas for action. A very practical aid to Bible-based prayer. Money well spent !

A great edition of a Catholic Bible, published in a clear typeface, and in RC book order. Helpful devotional comments for every chapter in the Bible too. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Really like using this bible, very helpful in understanding passages and highly recommend it to anyone, even to non Christians who would like to investigate Christianity more.

Brilliant Bible!, The print is easy read, and clear. Delivered well in the given timeline. Would highly reccomend for anyone who reads the Bible, not just catholics.

I really like the guided reflections on a huge numbers of bible passages. The print size is nice and big. I kinda miss having cross references where a passage is linked to other related passages elsewhere in the bible - that's why I dropped one star, but I guess it hard to fit everything into one book.

I am very pleased with my purchase. Although the pages are very thin paper, it is well worth the money.

Good bible

I am using this Bible for the Christian formation ans love this book. It is clear and great to read.

This is a wonderful idea for a Bible. True, it's not, strictly speaking, true Lectio Divina, but it's definitely a starting place. What I find is that the readings and reflections given for each Bible passage inspire me to further reflection beyond the ideas suggested, and so I can say, this book does help lead me into lectio divina. Throughout the text are boxes containing a reading that introduces you to the text to be read, followed by further thoughts under the titles "Reflect," "Pray," and "Act." I did not realize that there was a box for every part of the Bible, but there is! I like the way there is a lot of white space on the page, which is easy on the eye. I also love the illustrations at the beginning of each book of the Bible. They look like wood block prints, and illustrate a theme from the book. The pages are gilded, the bonded leather cover is good quality, and two ribbon markers are included. I use these in the most obvious way-- one for an Old Testament reading and one for a New Testament reading-- though I am also reading slowly through the book of Psalms and use a holy card to mark my place in that section. I find that this book makes it easier for me to slowly reflect on the Bible and make sense of confusing or obscure passages in a way that a "commentary" does not. Bible commentaries have their place in offering historic background, translation variations, information, etc. But when my goal is prayerful communion with God through reflecting on His word, it's not information I need, but insight. There's a difference. And so this book helps me slow down and reflect, giving me a little help through the read/reflect/pray/act boxes but not so much "information" that it distracts me from prayer. One thing I need to mention is that this is the New Revised Standard Version-- not my favorite translation. It greatly simplifies some words/passages to an unnecessary degree (we ordinary lay people can and do understand big words or theological terms!) and also uses inclusive language to a degree that can sometimes alter the meaning of the text and can even be grammatically incorrect. The obvious example is Matthew 4:19 when Jesus is calling His first disciples. The RSV reads: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." The NRSV reads: "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." It almost sounds like the disciples are going to be made into fish to be consumed by people. At the very least, it's an awkward attempt to avoid using the word "men" and assumes the average reader can't figure out what "fishers" means. I could give many similar examples. "Libation" is translated as "drink offering," for example. It kind of blunts the reading and makes it a little less poetic. The introductory chapter by Lawrence Boadt, CSP, "Discovering Lectio Divina Through Scripture," gives some helpful hints on how to grasp the book more adequately. Some of these suggestions, however, might have been incorporated into the book. For example, he suggests that we "know the major divisions of the books, namely the Pentateuch, the Historical books, the Psalms and Wisdom Literature, and the prophets; if we try to recall what makes each group different, we are well on our way." I wish he had included a couple of sentences about each group for just this purpose. He also suggests that the reader "try to get a sense of a simple timeline for as many books as you can remember so that you can distinguish what is earlier from what is later." Again, a simple timeline could have been included. As I said, I do not want to approach Lectio Divina as "Bible Study," so those aids that Fr. Boadt recommends would have been nice additions to the book and would help in my understanding without making a research project out of it. That said, I find myself turning to this Bible again and again. It's wonderful for use in the Adoration Chapel. It really encourages me to use the Bible for prayer and meditation rather than simply reading it through. Sometimes I will dwell on just a short passage for a long time, or spend several days with the same psalm. Great idea for a Bible!

It was described as used in very good condition, some turned down corners and marking on cover. The cover is fine, and I do not see any corners turned over. There is some highlighter in it and spine is very soft. Not sure the Bible described was the Bible sent but it is ok for a used Bible.

Ya contaba con la edición en español de La Biblia del Peregrino con Lectio Divina, que compré también aquí en Amazon, pero quería cotejarla con la obra original en inglés y la verdad no me equivoqué, es una delicia poder profundizar en la Palabra de Dios con los pasos o etapas de la Lectura Orante, vale mucho la pena, la recomiendo ampliamente.

I collect Bibles and this Bible by far is amazing. It is an awesome teaching tool. It is written in today's language and the print is so easy to read. This bible is very close to my side. I recommend this bible to all teachers and students.