1 | Miracles // C.S. Lewis
I’m really interested in hearing Lewis’ views on miracles; honestly, I’m a skeptic. I believe miracles happen, but how frequent? Also, I haven’t worked out if and how miracles are compatible with natural law and science. I’ll write a book review after I finish!
2 | The Bear and the Nightengale // Katharine Arden
A Russian færie tale! It’s supposed to snow Sunday, *fingers crossed* it would be the perfect day to make this soup and read The Bear and the Nightengale.
3 | Norse Mythology // Neil Gaiman
I mean Norse mythology retold by Neil Gaiman, need I say more?
4 | Dumb Ox // G.K. Chesterton
I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my patron saint, I can’t wait to learn more about him from the perspective of G.K. Chesterton!
What are you reading this month?
What is a patron saint?
How does a Catholic bible differ from the holy bible?
Hi Donna! Great questions :)
A Saint is someone who lived a holy life and is now in heaven. The Catholic Church believes that Saints in heaven can pray for us without ceasing. It’s the “Communion of Saints”, in actual practice.
At my Confirmation last year I chose St. Thomas Aquinas as my patron saint because I relate to him the most; I am inspired by the holy life he lived and the books he wrote.
During the Reformation, Martin Luther put the Deuterocanonical books, James, Hebrews, the letters of John and Revelation in the appendix of the Protestant Bible for several theological reasons. For example, James 2:14-25 talks about faith and works and how they can’t be separated. This passage disrupted Martin Luther’s Five Solae of the Protestant Reformation—”Sola Fide” which means, Faith Alone. This is why the Deuterocanonical books are not included in the Protestant Bible.
The difference between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible are the Deuterocanonical books. There are seven Deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, I Maccabees, II Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch. These books were included in the Septuagint—which was the scriptures that Jesus read.
Jesus quoted the Deuterocanonical books, here are a few examples:
Matt. 2:16 – Herod’s decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 – slaying the holy innocents.
Matt. 7:16,20 – Jesus’ statement “you will know them by their fruits” follows Sirach 27:6 – the fruit discloses the cultivation.
Matt. 9:36 – the people were “like sheep without a shepherd” is same as Judith 11:19 – sheep without a shepherd.
Matt. 22:25; Mark 12:20; Luke 20:29 – Gospel writers refer to the canonicity of Tobit 3:8 and 7:11 regarding the seven brothers.
John 5:18 – Jesus claiming that God is His Father follows Wisdom 2:16.
Luke 21:24 – Jesus’ usage of “fall by the edge of the sword” follows Sirach 28:18.
Please ask away if you have any other questions!
I totally believe in miracles. I actually think they happen all the time, but we discount them or chaulk them up to coincidence. For instance, Mia’s birth – definitely a miracle – soooooo many things happened where she should have died or not made it through the pregnancy or either of us through the delivery, but we both soared through with barely any problems. and that’s just one example. I think if you are open to seeing miracles you’ll see them more and more. :) The bear and the nightengale is on my list too, let me know how you liked it.