Why I need the NABRE and Catholic Church

The reason I need NABRE AND THE CHURCH

I am responsible for walking out my own salvation with fear and trembling.  Though others will be judged on what they teach. I will be judged on my response to The Word - the ultimate authority. 

God made me. And Words mean something to me. To me what is chosen in Gods word is SUPER IMPORTANT.  Because of that I want the best English translation I can possibly get. Therefore I choose to use the NABRE. I know I’m not a scholar but I do like to study. And God chose every word he chose to say. I believe when trying to interpret meaning it could be confused. Because words can mean many things in different languages I want a version that balances word and meaning. So I think I would like to read the NABRE and ask God to give meaning. 

Fr Luis said no translation is perfect. They all are balances of what the word says and means. Pick one and stick to it. 

I like the NABRE better than all the others. I would like to pick that.  Whatever I miss here I will receive in Heaven. I believe you Jesus and know you are guiding my decisions. 

Authority is very important. Without it we don’t know what or who to believe. 

Because the LXX is the oldest complete translation of the whole Bible and it is in the Vatican library and it has the deurocanon I will use the catholic Bible. 

(If you are looking for the oldest available edition of a more inclusive Bible, Codex Sinaiticus (circa 350 C.E.) would fit the bill. However, its Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible are not the oldest witnesses we have to the Hebrew/Aramaic scriptures. The Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 250 B.C.E.–70 C.E.) are centuries older than Codex Sinaiticus, but they are extremely fragmentary and rarely make up anything close to complete books. The Old Greek translations of the Hebrew/Aramaic scriptures—popularly called the “Septuagint”—occasionally testify to a Hebrew/Aramaic text even more ancient than the Dead Sea Scrolls (the Pentateuch began to be translated around 250 B.C.E.). In these instances, the Septuagint could, therefore, be called the oldest available Bible text. These Greek texts are, however, translations, and scholars are still sorting out the exact wording of the earliest recoverable texts. 

Because of the Masoretes’ meticulous work, some consider the Leningrad Codex (circa 1000 C.E.) or the Aleppo Codex (circa 925 C.E.) to be the best representatives of the Hebrew/Aramaic Bible. The problem is that the Masoretic manuscripts themselves are from the medieval era. At least materially, the Masoretic manuscripts are much later than the Dead Sea Scrolls, Old Greek translations, and Codex Sinaiticus. Each of these bodies of literature could in some sense be called the oldest Bible)

I WILL NOT MISS ANYTHING!!

Below is a commentary saying we can never exhaust Gods word. Get what you can from the stream you will quench your thirst but not the spring. Be thankful then for what you have received, and do not be saddened at all that such an abundance still remains. What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if you only persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once, and do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on.

From a commentary on the Diatessaron by Saint Ephrem, deacon

God’s word is an inexhaustible spring of life

Lord, who can comprehend even one of your words? We lose more of it than we grasp, like those who drink from a living spring. For God’s word offers different facets according to the capacity of the listener, and the Lord has portrayed his message in many colors, so that whoever gazes upon it can see in it what suits him. Within it he has buried manifold treasures, so that each of us might grow rich in seeking them out.

The word of God is a tree of life that offers us blessed fruit from each of its branches. It is like that rock which was struck open in the wilderness, from which all were offered spiritual drink. As the Apostle says: They ate spiritual food and they drank spiritual drink.

And so whenever anyone discovers some part of the treasure, he should not think that he has exhausted God’s word. Instead he should feel that this is all that he was able to find of the wealth contained in it. Nor should he say that the word is weak and sterile or look down on it simply because this portion was all that he happened to find. But precisely because he could not capture it all he should give thanks for its riches.

Be glad then that you are overwhelmed, and do not be saddened because he has overcome you. A thirsty man is happy when he is drinking, and he is not depressed because he cannot exhaust the spring. So let this spring quench your thirst, and not your thirst the spring. For if you can satisfy your thirst without exhausting the spring, then when you thirst again you can drink from it once more; but if when your thirst is sated the spring is also dried up, then your victory would turn to your own harm.

Be thankful then for what you have received, and do not be saddened at all that such an abundance still remains. What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if you only persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once, and do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on.

Catholic not Cafeteria!!

Since I believe the church which has lasted over 2000 years is being guided by YOU even with evil people at the top. I should not have a problem that you are still governing them. 

You were the one who made the apostles write the infallible word of the Bible. Of course you can make the holy church decisions if traditions just as infallible no matter who you use to write them for out for us. 

Since I believe you and your ability to not steer the church wrong, I believe I must humble myself and obey your teachings.  I do not have to understand. For You make good out of evil. I would’ve never thought the cross was the way to show salvation-how much more some of the thoughts of yours compared to mine. 

Therefore to help my psyche I must be in full communion with the holy church. You chose the liturgy, the Bible translation, the devotions, the leadership, everything that pertains to your holy church. All for your own purpose and I don’t need to believe the  humans governing, but I do need to believe your holy power to make your Will well known and done through the church. 

And in humility and in trust in you Almighty God, I surrender my fears and my will. I pray for you to keep guiding your church and little me, to do and believe your will. Help us not to apostatize  in these great unsure times. You are the way to eternal life and your church is the bulwark of Your Truth. 

Save me. 

Amen

Good morning Jesus I always have a hard time when I go off on my own even just reading a different version of the Bible makes my scruples go on overdrive  

I either believe your church or I don’t for me there is no middle ground.  Either 2+2 = 4 and Catholicism = the faith of God‘s people - or it doesn’t, and if I’m not all in - I am lost

So because I believe you my God.  And I believe you are the one guiding the church, you have decided what the statutes,  rules, seasons, liturgies, customs and Bible versions are for this time in your history.  Some things do change through the ages so I know this is not abnormal many customs liturgies and even statutes of when and how to take the Eucharist has developed over time. 

Because of my faith in YOU and your ability to guide all minds and hearts so your will can’t be thwarted;  I believe all that you have given the Catholic Church to guide us to your truth.  

I know evil people are also in the church but just because Judas was in the church hierarchy does not negate what you have given us as the faith.  And maybe you chose Judas for just this reason - so we don’t disbelieve your church. 

All man is evil and just because some fathers do obscene harm to their kids does not mean we stop having families.  It means we hold tighter to the truth of what families and fatherhood should be - preaching the truth.  Same with the church we should hold tighter to what the church should be and hold the leadership accountable. 

I believe you can do all things!  I know Your will is being done. I believe your church. Help me to be one who does my part to become holy through your grace, to make it what you made it to be 

AMEN 

The most important thing to Jesus is humility, obedience, and unity in the body. He has given us the church to hold us together. The church deems the NABRE to be the best translation at this time. My most important desire is to do the Will of God. Therefore in humility and obedience I want to do what the church deems appropriate for my culture and time. 

Why I need the NABRE and Catholic Church

The reason I need NABRE AND THE CHURCH

I am responsible for walking out my own salvation with fear and trembling.  Though others will be judged on what they teach. I will be judged on my response to The Word - the ultimate authority. 

God made me. And Words mean something to me. To me what is chosen in Gods word is SUPER IMPORTANT.  Because of that I want the best English translation I can possibly get. Therefore I choose to use the NABRE. I know I’m not a scholar but I do like to study. And God chose every word he chose to say. I believe when trying to interpret meaning it could be confused. Because words can mean many things in different languages I want a version that balances word and meaning. So I think I would like to read the NABRE and ask God to give meaning. 

Fr Luis said no translation is perfect. They all are balances of what the word says and means. Pick one and stick to it. 

I like the NABRE better than all the others. I would like to pick that.  Whatever I miss here I will receive in Heaven. I believe you Jesus and know you are guiding my decisions. 

Authority is very important. Without it we don’t know what or who to believe. 

Because the LXX is the oldest complete translation of the whole Bible and it is in the Vatican library and it has the deurocanon I will use the catholic Bible. 

(If you are looking for the oldest available edition of a more inclusive Bible, Codex Sinaiticus (circa 350 C.E.) would fit the bill. However, its Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible are not the oldest witnesses we have to the Hebrew/Aramaic scriptures. The Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 250 B.C.E.–70 C.E.) are centuries older than Codex Sinaiticus, but they are extremely fragmentary and rarely make up anything close to complete books. The Old Greek translations of the Hebrew/Aramaic scriptures—popularly called the “Septuagint”—occasionally testify to a Hebrew/Aramaic text even more ancient than the Dead Sea Scrolls (the Pentateuch began to be translated around 250 B.C.E.). In these instances, the Septuagint could, therefore, be called the oldest available Bible text. These Greek texts are, however, translations, and scholars are still sorting out the exact wording of the earliest recoverable texts. 

Because of the Masoretes’ meticulous work, some consider the Leningrad Codex (circa 1000 C.E.) or the Aleppo Codex (circa 925 C.E.) to be the best representatives of the Hebrew/Aramaic Bible. The problem is that the Masoretic manuscripts themselves are from the medieval era. At least materially, the Masoretic manuscripts are much later than the Dead Sea Scrolls, Old Greek translations, and Codex Sinaiticus. Each of these bodies of literature could in some sense be called the oldest Bible)

I WILL NOT MISS ANYTHING!!

Below is a commentary saying we can never exhaust Gods word. Get what you can from the stream you will quench your thirst but not the spring. Be thankful then for what you have received, and do not be saddened at all that such an abundance still remains. What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if you only persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once, and do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on.

From a commentary on the Diatessaron by Saint Ephrem, deacon

God’s word is an inexhaustible spring of life

Lord, who can comprehend even one of your words? We lose more of it than we grasp, like those who drink from a living spring. For God’s word offers different facets according to the capacity of the listener, and the Lord has portrayed his message in many colors, so that whoever gazes upon it can see in it what suits him. Within it he has buried manifold treasures, so that each of us might grow rich in seeking them out.

The word of God is a tree of life that offers us blessed fruit from each of its branches. It is like that rock which was struck open in the wilderness, from which all were offered spiritual drink. As the Apostle says: They ate spiritual food and they drank spiritual drink.

And so whenever anyone discovers some part of the treasure, he should not think that he has exhausted God’s word. Instead he should feel that this is all that he was able to find of the wealth contained in it. Nor should he say that the word is weak and sterile or look down on it simply because this portion was all that he happened to find. But precisely because he could not capture it all he should give thanks for its riches.

Be glad then that you are overwhelmed, and do not be saddened because he has overcome you. A thirsty man is happy when he is drinking, and he is not depressed because he cannot exhaust the spring. So let this spring quench your thirst, and not your thirst the spring. For if you can satisfy your thirst without exhausting the spring, then when you thirst again you can drink from it once more; but if when your thirst is sated the spring is also dried up, then your victory would turn to your own harm.

Be thankful then for what you have received, and do not be saddened at all that such an abundance still remains. What you have received and attained is your present share, while what is left will be your heritage. For what you could not take at one time because of your weakness, you will be able to grasp at another if you only persevere. So do not foolishly try to drain in one draught what cannot be consumed all at once, and do not cease out of faintheartedness from what you will be able to absorb as time goes on.

Catholic not Cafeteria!!

Since I believe the church which has lasted over 2000 years is being guided by YOU even with evil people at the top. I should not have a problem that you are still governing them. 

You were the one who made the apostles write the infallible word of the Bible. Of course you can make the holy church decisions if traditions just as infallible no matter who you use to write them for out for us. 

Since I believe you and your ability to not steer the church wrong, I believe I must humble myself and obey your teachings.  I do not have to understand. For You make good out of evil. I would’ve never thought the cross was the way to show salvation-how much more some of the thoughts of yours compared to mine. 

Therefore to help my psyche I must be in full communion with the holy church. You chose the liturgy, the Bible translation, the devotions, the leadership, everything that pertains to your holy church. All for your own purpose and I don’t need to believe the  humans governing, but I do need to believe your holy power to make your Will well known and done through the church. 

And in humility and in trust in you Almighty God, I surrender my fears and my will. I pray for you to keep guiding your church and little me, to do and believe your will. Help us not to apostatize  in these great unsure times. You are the way to eternal life and your church is the bulwark of Your Truth. 

Save me. 

Amen

Good morning Jesus I always have a hard time when I go off on my own even just reading a different version of the Bible makes my scruples go on overdrive  

I either believe your church or I don’t for me there is no middle ground.  Either 2+2 = 4 and Catholicism = the faith of God‘s people - or it doesn’t, and if I’m not all in - I am lost

So because I believe you my God.  And I believe you are the one guiding the church, you have decided what the statutes,  rules, seasons, liturgies, customs and Bible versions are for this time in your history.  Some things do change through the ages so I know this is not abnormal many customs liturgies and even statutes of when and how to take the Eucharist has developed over time. 

Because of my faith in YOU and your ability to guide all minds and hearts so your will can’t be thwarted;  I believe all that you have given the Catholic Church to guide us to your truth.  

I know evil people are also in the church but just because Judas was in the church hierarchy does not negate what you have given us as the faith.  And maybe you chose Judas for just this reason - so we don’t disbelieve your church. 

All man is evil and just because some fathers do obscene harm to their kids does not mean we stop having families.  It means we hold tighter to the truth of what families and fatherhood should be - preaching the truth.  Same with the church we should hold tighter to what the church should be and hold the leadership accountable. 

I believe you can do all things!  I know Your will is being done. I believe your church. Help me to be one who does my part to become holy through your grace, to make it what you made it to be 

AMEN 

The most important thing to Jesus is humility, obedience, and unity in the body. He has given us the church to hold us together. The church deems the NABRE to be the best translation at this time. My most important desire is to do the Will of God. Therefore in humility and obedience I want to do what the church deems appropriate for my culture and time. 

I cannot leave Jesus-Eucharist

Jesus: Even if I allow scandalous in my church will you continue and not leave me? Don’t leave me Julie. 

I cannot leave Jesus-Eucharist

Jesus: Even if I allow scandalous in my church will you continue and not leave me? Don’t leave me Julie. 

Curb Curiosity

FOCUS:

Be dead to all earthly things and the changes of the world, great and small, be to thee as though they were not; and should they come in thy way, reject them, and drive them far from thee.

Be sober and humble, even in thy desire to understand heavenly things, wishing to know nothing but Christ crucified, His Life, and His Death, and whatsoever He requires of thee.

Cast all other things far from thee, and thus shalt thou be very pleasing unto God. 

Seek of Him such things alone as suffice to the 1. love of His Divine Goodness, and 2. to the fulfillment of His Will. 

Curb curiosity 

THE second danger from which we must guard our understanding is curiosity; because, by filling it with hurtful, vain, and frivolous thoughts, we disable it from laying hold of that which most nearly concerns the true mortification of ourselves and our perfection.

To this end thou must be as one dead to all earthly things, which do not concern thee, although they may be harmless in themselves.

Ever restrain thine intellect as much as possible, and love to keep it lowly.

Let the news and the changes of the world, great and small, be to thee as though they were not; and should they come in thy way, reject them, and drive them far from thee.

Be sober and humble, even in thy desire to understand heavenly things, wishing to know nothing but Christ crucified, His Life, and His Death, and whatsoever He requires of thee.

Cast all other things far from thee, and thus shalt thou be very pleasing unto God. For He loves and delights in those who desire and seek of Him such things alone as suffice to the love of His Divine Goodness, and to the fulfilment of His Will. Every other petition and enquiry springs from self-love, pride, and the deceit of the devil.

If thou wilt follow these instructions thou wilt escape many snares; for when the wily serpent sees the will of those who aim at the spiritual life is strong and resolute, he endeavours to overthrow their understanding, that so he may be able to master both the one and the other.

His plan is to infuse lofty and curious sentiments into their minds, especially if they be of an acute and subtle intellect, and such as are easily lifted up into pride; so that, occupied with the enjoyment of investigating such matters, and falsely persuading themselves they thereby enjoy God, they may neglect to purify their hearts, and to apply themselves to self-knowledge and real mortification. So, falling into the snare of pride, they make an idol of their own understanding.

Hence, gradually and imperceptibly, they persuade themselves that they have no need of advice or guidance from others, being accustomed as they are, in all cases, to have recourse to the idol of their own judgment.

A most perilous condition this, and very hard to cure, the pride of the understanding being far worse than that of the will; for when the pride of the will is once manifest to the understanding, it may in time be easily remedied by obedience where it is due; but how or by whom can he be cured, who obstinately believes that his own opinion is worth more than that of any other man? How shall he submit to other men’s judgment, which he considers inferior to his own?

The understanding is the eye of the soul, by which the wound of the proud will must be discovered and healed; if that eye, then, itself be weak, and blind, and swollen with pride, by whom shall it be cured?

And if the light become darkness, and the rule faulty, by which we measure our actions, what will become of the rest?

Therefore resist this dangerous form of pride betimes, before it penetrate into the marrow of thy bones.

Curb the acuteness of thine intellect; submit thine own opinion willingly to that of others; become a fool for the love of God, and thou shalt be wiser than Solomon.

Curb Curiosity

FOCUS:

Be dead to all earthly things and the changes of the world, great and small, be to thee as though they were not; and should they come in thy way, reject them, and drive them far from thee.

Be sober and humble, even in thy desire to understand heavenly things, wishing to know nothing but Christ crucified, His Life, and His Death, and whatsoever He requires of thee.

Cast all other things far from thee, and thus shalt thou be very pleasing unto God. 

Seek of Him such things alone as suffice to the 1. love of His Divine Goodness, and 2. to the fulfillment of His Will. 

Curb curiosity 

THE second danger from which we must guard our understanding is curiosity; because, by filling it with hurtful, vain, and frivolous thoughts, we disable it from laying hold of that which most nearly concerns the true mortification of ourselves and our perfection.

To this end thou must be as one dead to all earthly things, which do not concern thee, although they may be harmless in themselves.

Ever restrain thine intellect as much as possible, and love to keep it lowly.

Let the news and the changes of the world, great and small, be to thee as though they were not; and should they come in thy way, reject them, and drive them far from thee.

Be sober and humble, even in thy desire to understand heavenly things, wishing to know nothing but Christ crucified, His Life, and His Death, and whatsoever He requires of thee.

Cast all other things far from thee, and thus shalt thou be very pleasing unto God. For He loves and delights in those who desire and seek of Him such things alone as suffice to the love of His Divine Goodness, and to the fulfilment of His Will. Every other petition and enquiry springs from self-love, pride, and the deceit of the devil.

If thou wilt follow these instructions thou wilt escape many snares; for when the wily serpent sees the will of those who aim at the spiritual life is strong and resolute, he endeavours to overthrow their understanding, that so he may be able to master both the one and the other.

His plan is to infuse lofty and curious sentiments into their minds, especially if they be of an acute and subtle intellect, and such as are easily lifted up into pride; so that, occupied with the enjoyment of investigating such matters, and falsely persuading themselves they thereby enjoy God, they may neglect to purify their hearts, and to apply themselves to self-knowledge and real mortification. So, falling into the snare of pride, they make an idol of their own understanding.

Hence, gradually and imperceptibly, they persuade themselves that they have no need of advice or guidance from others, being accustomed as they are, in all cases, to have recourse to the idol of their own judgment.

A most perilous condition this, and very hard to cure, the pride of the understanding being far worse than that of the will; for when the pride of the will is once manifest to the understanding, it may in time be easily remedied by obedience where it is due; but how or by whom can he be cured, who obstinately believes that his own opinion is worth more than that of any other man? How shall he submit to other men’s judgment, which he considers inferior to his own?

The understanding is the eye of the soul, by which the wound of the proud will must be discovered and healed; if that eye, then, itself be weak, and blind, and swollen with pride, by whom shall it be cured?

And if the light become darkness, and the rule faulty, by which we measure our actions, what will become of the rest?

Therefore resist this dangerous form of pride betimes, before it penetrate into the marrow of thy bones.

Curb the acuteness of thine intellect; submit thine own opinion willingly to that of others; become a fool for the love of God, and thou shalt be wiser than Solomon.

The Fathers Heart

His father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. (Luke 15:20)

What is our heavenly Father like? Many in the crowd listening to Jesus—especially the “tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 15:1)—pictured him as a God of wrath and judgment. But Jesus knew better, and so he told a parable that revealed the truth about his Father. Let’s reflect on this parable today as we ask again: what is the Father like?

First, God doesn’t give up on us. The father in this parable was treated unjustly by his younger son. He could have spent his days nursing his wounds. Instead, he scanned the horizon each day, hoping that his son would have a change of heart and return to him. Even when we’ve given up hope on ourselves or our loved ones, God never does.

Second, God is compassionate. We might expect anger or resentment to rise up in the father when he spots his son. Instead, he is “filled with compassion” (Luke 15:20). He sees what his son has suffered, and instead of rejecting him, he throws his arms around him and welcomes him home. That’s how God treats us. He isn’t angry at us because we’ve sinned; he just wants to restore our relationship with him.

Third, God celebrates. The father in the parable doesn’t just give his son some leftovers to eat; he kills the fatted calf and orders up a feast. This is no time for recriminations—no, it’s time to celebrate because his son “has come to life again” (Luke 15:32). When we repent and return to the Father, he rejoices. He sees not the sin but only the new life he wants for us.

Finally, God cares for every one of us. The older son was naturally resentful, but the father assured him of his love and begged him to join in the celebration. God wants us to feel secure in his love and just as joyful as he is when a lost person returns to their true home.

This is what your heavenly Father is like. So praise and thank him for his love, his mercy, and his faithfulness!

“Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father’s heart to me.”