The Catholic Prayer Bible (NRSV): Lectio Divina Edition; Deluxe Paperback – November 1, 2011

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!

I have several bibles in my house, but this is the first one I really, really like. I love the boxes for each section with the summery and prayer and action. I feel like they truly capture the Catholic spirit with those. It has made reading the Bible much more enjoyable. I’ve read through about 90% so far. And then have been able to buy a copy for 2 other people. I recommend this one to everyone.

I received this Bible for my birthday and I really like it. The font is fairly large, crisp, and clear and easy to read, the print is dark and I don't see any problem with words showing through the pages like some other reviewers have mentioned. The reflections are very helpful and make reading the Bible a pleasure, since they provide a focal point. (Read, Reflect, Pray, and Act). The NRSV-CE translation is a flowing translation, which I also like. My only slight complaint about this Bible is that the cover is a little thin and flimsy, but not enough to affect my giving it a five star rating. This is a nice Bible and a wonderful gift.

I bought this Bible from the recommendation I heard from Father Dave on the Catholic Channel (The Busted Halo Show) as he is a Paulist Father and is close to the publisher of this Bible. He was spot on with the recommendation!Pros: Good binding (mine is black - not blue as pictured), a good size to carry to church and yet the font is large enough and the pages are well laid out and the format is great. The prayer notes on the side columns are well written, very applicable and thought provoking.Cons: I would have liked to see a red letter font for the words of Christ and it would have been good to have the OT references when quoted or cross referenced.All in all, a great Bible and is a great tool to help when praying over Scripture!

I had lost my NRSV translation. I wanted to start lectio divina. So I bought this and Michael Casey's Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina. The Sacred Reading book was a great buy. This Bible was not.I had been watching this ever since it was announced. I was waiting for the time when I could afford another Bible. I enrolled in a Bible study that fit my schedule this Lent, and decided to start with a new Bible, too.There are differences between a study Bible and a lectio divina Bible, which I did not understand. Study Bibles have all sorts of footnotes and cross references. They have extra reference material in the back. A lectio divina Bible is made for quiet reading, AFTER previous study of what you are reading. Intellectual part first; contemplative part second. So a lectio divina Bible did not work too well for my Bible study, and I had to dig out my old tattered New American Bible for the study. It worked out well.This Bible offers suggestions for lectio divina in the margins. But after reading Casey's book, I suspect that any Bible would do for lectio divina. It really is a matter of what readings attract you, and draw you into contemplation. This Bible may do it, but so may other programs, or none at all. Read Casey, or similar, if you are interested in lectio divina. If you don't have money for both, buy Casey's book, and use the Bible you already have.Casey's book was awesome. Now I just have to start lectio divina on a regular basis.One last note: this Bible is printed on very thin paper, which is nice. It won't, however, stand up on a bookshelf by itself, and probably won't work well with a cover. It is fairly floppy. For a bedside book, that shouldn't be a problem. For a more active Bible, it may present difficulties.