Imagine a world where we read the Bible as often as we checked our phones.
It’s hard to imagine, but maybe we really can find ways to read the life of Christ more often. Reading the Gospels is a powerful way to be inspired and encouraged in our own imitation of Christ.
A great tactic to read the Bible more is to carry a small New Testament with us -- in our purse, backpack, or even pocket. We can pick it up and read a bit whenever we have a little down time.
Pope Francis beautifully encouraged this practice during his Angelus address on Sunday, January 22. He said:
I remind you of something I have said other times: Let’s have a small Gospel, a pocket-size Gospel, to take in your bag, always with us. And when there is a moment during the day, read something from the Gospel. It is Jesus who accompanies us. So, a small pocket-size Gospel always with us.
That day, the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, was dedicated in a special way to the Word of God. So Pope Francis called on Christians everywhere to seek God’s message for us in the Bible, saying,
Let us rediscover with awe the fact that God speaks to us, especially through the Sacred Scriptures. Let us read them, study them, meditate on them, pray over them. Let us read a passage from the Bible every day, especially from the Gospel. Jesus speaks to us there, he enlightens us, he guides us.
Maybe you’d like to carry a pocket Gospel, as Pope Francis suggests? You’ve come to the right place!
Here are 3 great pocket New Testament books that you can easily take with you wherever you go.
The Pocket Gospels and Psalms, $8.95
This mini edition of the Gospels includes the Psalms as well to aid in daily prayer and meditation. Measuring just 3.5" x 5", it will fit easily into a pocket or purse, and the flexible cover is especially durable.
Confraternity Pocket New Testament, $14.95
With a plan for reading the whole New Testament in 6 months through bite-sized readings, this pocket-size volume makes reading the Bible easy with a sturdy leatherette cover and a ribbon place marker.
St. Joseph Edition New Testament - Vest Pocket Edition, $17.95
This lovely edition, with a burgundy leather cover and gilded edges, is a faithful translation that’s very readable and reader-friendly. It includes copious, well-written, and informative notes, as well as photographs and maps of the Holy Land and the words of Christ printed in red.
Need more options? Check out this entire section of compact and pocket size Bibles over at Catholic Bible Shop.
St. Josemaria Escriva once wrote, “How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ.”
Hopefully these wonderful pocket editions of the Gospels can help us live in a way that Christ’s light is evident in us to all we meet.
