Dear reader, welcome to this thematic journey that will introduce you to one of the most magnificent golden threads of the entire Catholic Bible: the story of salvation and redemption. This reading plan is not simply a list of verses to be mechanically checked off, but a true spiritual adventure that will allow you to understand how God, from creation to final fulfillment, has never ceased to work for the salvation of humanity.
Why a thematic plan on Salvation and Redemption?
The Centrality of Salvation in Scripture
Salvation is not just another theme in the Catholic Bible; it is THE central theme that runs through the entirety of Scripture. As early as Genesis, when humanity fell into sin, God already announced his promise of redemption. Every book, every prophecy, every psalm brings us back in one way or another to this fundamental question: how can human beings, separated from God by sin, regain communion with their Creator?
This thematic plan will allow you to grasp the profound coherence of all biblical revelation. Rather than reading the Bible in a linear fashion, where certain connections may escape you, this thematic approach illuminates the invisible links that unite the Old and New Testaments. You will discover how the promises made to Abraham find their fulfillment in Christ, how the sacrifices of the Temple prefigure the unique sacrifice of Calvary, and how the prophets announce what the Gospels accomplish.
The advantages of a thematic reading
Reading the Bible thematically has several significant benefits that I want to share with you. First, it gives you a coherent overview of a specific topic, rather than scattered fragments that may seem unrelated. Second, this method makes it easier to memorize and internalize biblical truths because your mind can create logical and spiritual connections between passages. Third, a thematic reading often answers deep existential questions you ask yourself in your daily life.
The theme of salvation and redemption is particularly suited to this thematic approach because it directly touches on our human condition. We all need to understand where we come from, why the world is broken, and how we can find peace with God. This reading plan will help you build a coherent and profound theology of salvation, rooted in all of Scripture rather than in a few isolated verses.
How this plan will transform your reading
This journey isn't designed to be completed in a few days, but to be savored gradually. I encourage you to take the time to meditate on each section, let the verses resonate in your heart, and even keep a spiritual journal where you record your discoveries and questions. Thematic reading isn't a race; it's a contemplative exploration where each passage illuminates the next.
You will notice that this plan is organized chronologically and progressively, following the narrative arc of salvation from creation to the new creation. This structure will allow you to see how God unfolds his redemptive plan throughout history, with admirable patience and faithfulness. Each stage builds on the previous one, creating an increasingly deep and nuanced understanding of the mystery of salvation.
General structure
The Seven Steps to Salvation
Our reading plan is organized around seven major stages that correspond to key moments in salvation history in the Catholic Bible. These seven stages are not arbitrary; they reflect the very structure of God's progressive revelation to humanity. First, we will explore Creation and the Fall, which establish the need for salvation. Second, we will examine the earliest promises of redemption given to the patriarchs. Third, we will study the Exodus and the Covenant, which foreshadow the ultimate deliverance.c
The fourth stage will lead us through the messianic prophecies that foretell the coming Redeemer. The fifth stage, central to our plan, will explore the incarnation and life of Jesus Christ. The sixth stage will delve into the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, which accomplish redemption. Finally, the seventh stage will contemplate the Church, the Holy Spirit, and the eschatological fulfillment of salvation.
Recommended reading method
To get the most out of this thematic plan, I suggest a four-step reading method that you can adapt to your personal pace. First, read each passage slowly, focusing not on the quantity but on the quality of your reading. Don't rush to finish each section quickly; let yourself be immersed in the biblical words and images.
Second, ask yourself questions about each passage: who is speaking, to whom, in what context, what is the main message? Third, look for connections with other passages you have already read in this plan, noting parallels and echoes. Fourth, conclude with a personal prayer asking the Holy Spirit to apply these truths to your real life.
Suggested duration and pace
This thematic reading plan can be completed at different paces, depending on your availability and spiritual appetite. If you devote 15 to 20 minutes per day to this reading, you can complete the entire course in approximately three to four months. This moderate pace allows for true assimilation and meditation of the texts, without overwhelming your schedule.
However, you can also choose a more intensive pace if you are on a spiritual retreat or if you really want to immerse yourself in this theme. In this case, by dedicating one to two hours per day, you can cover the entire book in three to four weeks. Conversely, if you prefer a more contemplative approach, you can spread this plan over six months or even a whole year, returning several times to the passages that particularly resonate with you.
Stage One: Creation, Fall, and the Promise of Redemption
Creation: The Origin of Salvation
Let us begin our journey at the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, where God creates the universe and humanity. This section is absolutely fundamental to understanding salvation, for one cannot grasp the depth of redemption without first understanding the beauty of the original creation. The opening chapters of Genesis reveal to us that humanity was not created in a state of sin, but in a state of perfection and communion with God.
Verses to read: Genesis 1:1-31 (The Creation Story), Genesis 2:4-25 (The Creation of Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden). These passages set the context for all the rest of salvation history. Note especially Genesis 1:26-27 where God creates human beings in his own image and likeness, establishing an inalienable dignity that will never be totally lost even after the Fall. Creation is “very good” according to Genesis 1:31, meaning that evil and suffering are not part of God’s original plan.
This section invites you to contemplate God's original goodness and his desire for communion with humanity. Understanding this is crucial because salvation is not simply a reparation, but a restoration of what was intended to be from the beginning. God does not save us to take us to a foreign place, but to bring us home, to the intimate communion he always desired with us.
The Fall: The Necessity of Salvation
Having contemplated the beauty of creation, we must now confront the drama of the Fall, the decisive moment that explains why salvation is necessary. This section is difficult but essential, because it helps us understand the reality of sin and its devastating consequences. The story of the Fall is not an irrelevant ancient myth, but a profound description of the human condition that we all experience daily.
Verses to read: Genesis 3:1-24 (Temptation, Adam and Eve's Sin, Consequences). This chapter is dense with theological significance and deserves several careful readings. Observe how the serpent instills doubt about God's goodness (verse 1), how Eve and then Adam choose to disobey (verses 6-7), and how communion with God is immediately broken (verse 8). The consequences of sin are multiple: shame (verse 7), fear of God (verse 10), the breakdown of human relationships (verse 12), a curse on the earth (verses 17-19), and finally death (verse 19).
This reading can be confronting because it forces us to acknowledge our own participation in sin. But it is precisely by accepting this reality that we can truly appreciate the grace of salvation. Diagnosis must precede cure, and we can only desire to be saved if we first acknowledge that we are lost.
The Protevangelium: First Promise of Redemption
At the very heart of the story of the Fall, God speaks a mysterious word that is actually the first promise of redemption in the entire Bible. This is what Catholic theologians call the “protevangelium” (first gospel), and it is absolutely central to our understanding of the plan of salvation. This promise shows that God never responds to human sin with abandonment, but always with mercy and a plan of rescue.
Key Verse: Genesis 3:15 – “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This enigmatic verse has been interpreted by Catholic tradition as a prophecy of Christ (the woman’s seed) crushing Satan (the serpent) through his victory on the cross and resurrection. While the serpent will “bruise the heel” of Christ (the sufferings of the Passion), Christ will “bruise the head” of the serpent (a final and deadly victory).
This promise is like a ray of light piercing the darkness of sin. It assures us that God has never abandoned humanity, even in its darkest moments. From the beginning, the plan of redemption was in place, and all of biblical history that follows will be the gradual unfolding of this initial promise.
Cain, Abel and the Flood: Sin Worsens
After the fall of Adam and Eve, the Genesis account shows us how sin spreads and worsens among humanity. These passages are important because they demonstrate that without divine intervention, humanity sinks deeper and deeper into evil. This gradual descent makes the need for salvation even more urgent and highlights God's patience and mercy.–
Verses to read: Genesis 4:1-16 (Cain kills Abel, the first murder), Genesis 6:5-22 (The corruption of humanity and God's decision to send the flood), Genesis 9:8-17 (The covenant with Noah after the flood). The story of Cain and Abel shows us how sin is transmitted and produces violence and death. Humanity's first crime is fratricide, revealing how sin destroys the most fundamental relationships.–
The account of the flood is particularly significant for our theme of salvation. On the one hand, it shows God's judgment on the sin that corrupted the whole earth (Genesis 6:11-13). On the other hand, it reveals God's mercy in preserving Noah and his family, offering humanity a new beginning. The covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17) is the first in a series of covenants that God will establish with humanity, each one a step toward the definitive covenant in Jesus Christ.
The Tower of Babel: Dispersion and Waiting
The story of the Tower of Babel concludes the pivotal chapters of Genesis and prepares for Abraham's call. This story shows us human pride, which attempts to "make a name for itself" (Genesis 11:4) independently of God. The dispersion of peoples and the confusion of languages represent a fragmentation of humanity that will not be resolved until Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit enables all to understand the Gospel in their own language.
Verses to read: Genesis 11:1-9 (The Tower of Babel and the Scattering of the Peoples). This passage serves as a transition between the universal history of the opening chapters of Genesis and the particular history of the people of Israel that begins with Abraham. Humanity, scattered and divided by sin, now awaits the one who will gather all peoples into one family of God.
These first chapters of Genesis establish the essential context for understanding the rest of the plan of salvation. They show us where we came from (Creation), what went wrong (the Fall), how evil spread (Cain, the Flood, Babel), and how God has never stopped reaching out to humanity (the Protoevangelium, the Noahic Covenant).
Second step: the Patriarchs and the Promises
The Call of Abraham: The Beginning of Particular Redemption
With the call of Abraham, we enter a new phase in the history of salvation. God chooses one man and his descendants to be the vehicle of blessing for all nations. This is not favoritism, but a strategy of salvation: God will bless the whole world through this particular people. Abraham's call is fundamental because it establishes the principle of election and covenant that will characterize the entire Old Covenant.
Verses to read: Genesis 12:1-9 (Abraham's Call and Promise), Genesis 15:1-21 (God's Covenant with Abraham), Genesis 17:1-27 (Circumcision as a Sign of the Covenant). In Genesis 12:1-3, God makes three extraordinary promises to Abraham: a land (Canaan), numerous descendants, and a blessing that will extend to all the families of the earth. This last promise is crucial because it shows that the salvation of Israel is never an end in itself, but always oriented toward universal salvation.
The covenant of Genesis 15 is particularly remarkable because it is God alone who commits himself, symbolized by the torch of fire passing between the animal parts. Abraham is asleep, emphasizing that it is a covenant of pure grace, not conditioned by human performance. This will be a model for understanding salvation: it is always God who takes the initiative and accomplishes his work.
The Sacrifice of Isaac: Prefiguration of the Sacrifice of Christ
One of the most dramatic and theologically rich narratives in Genesis is the sacrifice (binding) of Isaac. This disturbing story has been interpreted by the Church Fathers and Catholic tradition as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The parallels are striking and deserve careful consideration.
Verses to read: Genesis 22:1-19 (Abraham called to sacrifice Isaac). Notice the significant details: Isaac carries the wood of the sacrifice (verse 6) as Jesus will carry his cross; Abraham says, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering" (verse 8), an unconscious prophecy of the Lamb of God; the ram caught in the bush replaces Isaac (verse 13), foreshadowing Christ's substitution in our place. The name of the place, "The Lord will provide" (verse 14), resonates throughout salvation history.
This story reveals several aspects of salvation. First, it shows that salvation always comes from God (he provides the substitute). Second, it illustrates the principle of sacrificial substitution that will be central to the atonement (the ram dies in Isaac's place). Third, it foreshadows the ultimate gift of the Father who did not spare his only Son (Romans 8:32), accomplishing what he had prevented Abraham from doing.
Jacob and Esau: Sovereign Grace
The story of Jacob and Esau confronts us with the mystery of divine election and reminds us that salvation is always a matter of grace, never of human merit. Jacob, the younger son who supplants his older brother, becomes the bearer of the promise not because of his superior moral qualities (he is actually quite cunning and manipulative), but because of God's sovereign choice. This story disturbs our modern sensibilities, but it contains a liberating truth: salvation does not depend on our efforts.
Verses to read: Genesis 25:19-34 (Birth of Jacob and Esau, sale of birthright), Genesis 27:1-46 (Jacob obtains the blessing by trickery), Genesis 28:10-22 (Jacob's ladder and confirmation of the promise), Genesis 32:22-32 (Jacob wrestles with God and receives a new name). Jacob's ladder (Genesis 28) is particularly significant: it represents the connection between heaven and earth that Jesus will fully accomplish (John 1:51).
Jacob's struggle with the angel (Genesis 32) is a transformative moment in which Jacob, after struggling all his life to obtain blessings on his own, finally receives everything as a free gift from God. His name is changed to "Israel" (one who wrestles with God), and he emerges wounded but blessed. This story teaches us that salvation often involves spiritual warfare, a transformation of our identity, and the humble acceptance of our total dependence on God.
Joseph: Divine Providence and Salvation through Suffering
The story of Joseph, which occupies the final chapters of Genesis, is a magnificent illustration of divine providence transforming evil into good to accomplish salvation. Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, unjustly imprisoned, ultimately becomes the savior not only of Egypt but also of his own family. This story prefigures the Paschal Mystery: through suffering and apparent failure, God fulfills his plan of salvation.
Verses to read: Genesis 37:1-36 (Joseph sold by his brothers), Genesis 39:1-23 (Joseph in Egypt, falsely accused), Genesis 41:1-57 (Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams and becomes viceroy), Genesis 45:1-15 (Joseph reveals himself to his brothers), Genesis 50:15-21 (Joseph forgives and reveals the meaning of his suffering). The key verse is Genesis 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to bring about this thing, to save many people alive."
This statement by Joseph is one of the most profound statements in the entire Bible about how God works salvation through the most difficult circumstances. It prefigures the cross of Christ, where the most evil act in human history (the murder of the Son of God) becomes the supreme saving act. Joseph is thus a "type" of Christ: rejected by his own people, he becomes their savior; through his humiliation, he is exalted; through his suffering, many are saved.
Third stage: the Exodus and the Covenant of Sinai
Oppression in Egypt: The Need for Liberation
The book of Exodus begins by showing Jacob's descendants as numerous, yet enslaved people in Egypt. This oppressive situation is a powerful image of humanity's condition under the bondage of sin. The people's cry to God (Exodus 2:23-25) represents the cry of all humanity for liberation. God hears this cry and remembers his covenant, preparing a deliverance that will foreshadow the ultimate redemption in Christ.
Verses to read: Exodus 1:1-22 (Israel's oppression in Egypt), Exodus 2:1-25 (Moses' birth and preparation), Exodus 3:1-22 (Moses' call at the burning bush). The burning bush scene is pivotal because God reveals his name, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14), signifying his eternal and self-sufficient existence. This name will be taken up by Jesus in the Gospel of John (John 8:58), establishing his divinity.
Moses, God's chosen deliverer, is himself a type of Christ. Saved from the waters (his name means "drawn from the waters"), he becomes the one who will save his people from slavery. His role as mediator between God and the people foreshadows Christ's unique mediatorial role (1 Timothy 2:5).
The Plagues of Egypt: Judgment and Deliverance
The ten plagues of Egypt were not simply demonstrations of divine power, but acts of judgment against the false gods of Egypt and liberation for God's people. Each plague targeted a specific Egyptian deity, demonstrating the supremacy of the God of Israel over all other gods. These plagues reveal an important aspect of salvation: God judges evil and delivers his people.
Verses to read: Exodus 7:14-11:10 (The first nine plagues), Exodus 12:1-30 (The Passover and the tenth plague). The Passover is the central event of the entire Exodus and one of the most significant events for understanding salvation in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose blood protects the homes of the Israelites from judgment (Exodus 12:13), is a direct foreshadowing of Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Observe the details of the Passover institution: the lamb must be without blemish (Exodus 12:5), just as Christ will be without sin. Its blood must be applied to the doorposts and lintel (Exodus 12:7), forming a cross. No bones must be broken (Exodus 12:46), a detail that will be literally fulfilled at the crucifixion (John 19:36). The lamb must be eaten whole (Exodus 12:8-10), prefiguring the Eucharist where we receive the whole Christ.
Crossing the Red Sea: Baptism and New Creation
The crossing of the Red Sea is the quintessential liberating event of the Old Testament, constantly recalled in the psalms and the prophets. Saint Paul will interpret this event as a type of baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2), and this typological reading is rich in meaning for our understanding of salvation. The Red Sea represents both death and new birth: Israel passes through the waters to become a new, free nation, while the Egyptians perish in these same waters.
Verses to read: Exodus 14:1-31 (The Crossing of the Red Sea), Exodus 15:1-21 (The Song of Moses and Miriam). The Song of Moses (Exodus 15) is the first great hymn of praise in the Bible and celebrates God as Savior and Warrior who fights for his people. This song will be taken up again in Revelation (Revelation 15:3), thus linking the first liberation to the final and ultimate liberation.
This event reveals several aspects of salvation. First, salvation is entirely God's work: the people need only "be still" and see the Lord's salvation (Exodus 14:13-14). Second, salvation involves a passage, a radical transition from one state to another (from slavery to freedom). Third, salvation definitively separates God's people from their oppressors.
The Sinai Covenant: Law and Relationship
After freeing his people, God established a formal covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. This covenant, sealed in blood (Exodus 24:8), established the relationship between God and his people. The Law given at Sinai is not an arbitrary burden, but a framework for covenant living, an instruction on how a redeemed people should live. However, as the rest of biblical history will show, this covenant of the Law cannot achieve definitive salvation, thus preparing the need for a new covenant.
Verses to read: Exodus 19:1-25 (Preparation for the Covenant), Exodus 20:1-21 (The Ten Commandments), Exodus 24:1-18 (The Ratification of the Covenant by Blood). The Decalogue (Exodus 20) is not simply a list of rules, but a charter of freedom for a liberated people. It begins by recalling the salvific act: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 20:2). The commandments flow from this liberation and respond to it.e
The ratification of the covenant by blood (Exodus 24:8) is particularly significant because it directly foreshadows the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus will say, “This is my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant” (Matthew 26:28), fulfilling and transcending the covenant at Sinai. The shed blood creates a relationship, unites the contracting parties, and cleanses sin.
The Tabernacle: God's presence among his people
The second half of the book of Exodus is devoted to the construction of the Tabernacle, the tent of meeting where God would dwell among his people. This mobile sanctuary and all its elements are laden with symbolism and foreshadow how God will dwell among us in Jesus Christ and ultimately in the Church. The Tabernacle reveals God's deep desire to live in communion with redeemed humanity.
Verses to read: Exodus 25:1-9 (Instructions for the Tabernacle), Exodus 40:34-38 (God's glory fills the Tabernacle). The key verse is Exodus 25:8: "They shall make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." This promise of God's presence is at the heart of salvation: God does not save from a distance, but comes to dwell with his people.
John's Gospel will echo this theme by declaring that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), using a Greek word that literally means "he tabernacled." Jesus is the true Tabernacle, the place of the divine presence among men. Later, in Revelation, the final vision of accomplished salvation will be: "Behold, God dwells with men, and he will remain with them" (Revelation 21:3).
Fourth Stage: The Sacrificial System and Messianic Prophecy
Leviticus: Sacrifices and Atonement
The book of Leviticus may seem strange and distant to us with its detailed laws on sacrifices and ritual purity. Yet it is fundamental to understanding the work of Christ because it establishes the theological principles of atonement and mediation that will find their supreme fulfillment in the sacrifice of the cross. Every sacrifice in Leviticus points to the unique and perfect sacrifice of Christ.
Verses to read: Leviticus 16:1-34 (The Great Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur), Leviticus 17:11 (The Principle of Blood Atonement). Leviticus 17:11 is an absolutely central verse: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for by the life the blood makes atonement.” This principle explains why the blood of Christ is necessary for our redemption.
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most important ceremony in the entire liturgical calendar of Israel. The high priest enters the Holy of Holies once a year to offer the blood of atonement for the sins of all the people. The Letter to the Hebrews will elaborate at length on how Jesus fulfills and surpasses this ritual: he is both the high priest and the sacrifice, he enters not a sanctuary made by hands but heaven itself, and his sacrifice needs to be offered only once for all eternity (Hebrews 9:11-14, 24-28).
Isaiah: The Suffering Servant
Isaiah's prophecies about the Suffering Servant are among the most extraordinary texts in the Old Testament, describing with astonishing accuracy the Passion of Christ centuries before it occurred. These passages were understood by the early Church as irrefutable proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah, fulfilling in every detail what had been prophesied.
Verses to read: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (The Fourth Song of the Suffering Servant). This passage is so important that it deserves to be read and reread, meditating on line by line. It describes a servant who is “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows” (53:3), who “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (53:4), who has been “wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities” (53:5).
The central verse is Isaiah 53:10: "It pleased the Lord to crush him with affliction. If you make his life a sin offering, he will see offspring and prolong his days." This prophecy reveals the mystery of God's plan of salvation: the Servant suffers and dies, but this death is a sin offering that brings salvation to many. The passage ends with victory: "he will see the fruit of his soul's travail and be satisfied" (53:11), prophesying the resurrection.
Jeremiah the New Covenant
The prophet Jeremiah, in the midst of a dark period in Israel's history (the Babylonian exile), announces an extraordinary promise: God will establish a new covenant, superior to the one at Sinai. This prophecy is crucial because it recognizes the inadequacy of the old covenant and announces something radically new that God will accomplish.
Key Verse: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (The Promise of the New Covenant). This passage is worth quoting in full because it is the only place in the Old Testament where the phrase “new covenant” appears. God declares: “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put my law in their inward parts and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people… I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
This new covenant will be characterized by several revolutionary elements. First, the law will be internal, written on the heart by the Spirit, rather than external, engraved on stone. Second, knowledge of God will be direct and personal for all, from the least to the greatest. Third, and most fundamental, sins will be permanently forgiven and forgotten. Jesus will fulfill this prophecy at the Last Supper by instituting the Eucharist as the sacrament of the New Covenant (Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25).
Ezekiel: The New Heart and the New Spirit
The prophet Ezekiel, a contemporary of Jeremiah during the exile, also receives revelations about the future salvation that God will accomplish. His prophecies complement those of Jeremiah by explaining how the new covenant will be made possible: through an inner gift from God that will radically transform the human heart.
Verses to read: Ezekiel 36:22-32 (The New Heart and the New Spirit), Ezekiel 37:1-14 (The Vision of the Dry Bones Coming to Life). In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God promises, “A new heart I will give you and put a new spirit within you; I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes.” This promise reveals that salvation cannot come from human effort, but only from divine intervention that recreates the human being from the inside out.
The vision of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37) is a prophecy of resurrection, both national (Israel's return from exile) and individual (the resurrection of the dead). It illustrates the life-giving power of God's Spirit, which can bring back to life that which is completely dead. This vision foreshadows the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection by the Spirit.
Daniel: The Son of Man
The prophet Daniel, also living during the Babylonian exile, receives apocalyptic visions that reveal God's plan for history and the establishment of his kingdom. One of these visions introduces the mysterious figure of the "Son of Man," a title Jesus would frequently use to refer to himself.
Key Verse: Daniel 7:13-14 – “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a son of man came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near to him. And he was given dominion and glory and a kingdom; and all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
This vision presents a being who is both human ("like a son of man") and divine (he receives the worship of all peoples, which is due only to God). It announces a universal and eternal kingdom that will surpass all earthly kingdoms. Jesus will fulfill this prophecy, presenting himself as the Son of Man come to establish the Kingdom of God. At his trial, he will explicitly quote this passage to affirm his messianic identity (Mark 14:62).
Fifth stage: the incarnation and life of Christ
The Annunciation: the Word becomes flesh
After centuries of waiting and prophecy, we arrive at the moment when God fulfills his promise of salvation in the most extraordinary way: he becomes human. The Incarnation is not simply the birth of a prophet or a wise man, but the entry of God himself into human history. This mystery surpasses all human understanding but is at the very heart of our salvation.
Verses to read: Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation to Mary), John 1:1-18 (John's Prologue: The Word Made Flesh). Luke's Gospel presents us with the intimate scene where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive the Son of God through the Holy Spirit. Mary's "yes" ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word" – Luke 1:38) is of cosmic significance: it allows God to enter the world for our salvation.
John's prologue offers a theological perspective on the Incarnation. "In the beginning was the Word... and the Word was God" (John 1:1) establishes the eternal divinity of Jesus. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) reveals the astounding humility of God in taking on our human nature to save us. This union of divine and human nature in Jesus Christ makes salvation possible.
The Nativity: God Among Us
The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, recounted in touching detail by Luke and Matthew, is not only a touching event but the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and the beginning of the work of redemption. Every detail of the nativity has profound theological significance for our salvation.
Verses to read: Luke 2:1-20 (Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and the announcement to the shepherds), Matthew 1:18-25 (The announcement to Joseph and the name "Immanuel"). Matthew emphasizes that all this happens to fulfill the prophecy: "Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and they will call his name Immanuel, which means, God with us" (Matthew 1:23, quoting Isaiah 7:14). This name "Immanuel" sums up the whole mystery of the Incarnation: God is with us, not at a distance but incarnate, sharing our condition.
Luke recounts the announcement to the shepherds, the first to receive the Good News of salvation. The angel proclaims, “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The three titles—Savior, Christ (Messiah), and Lord—reveal the identity and mission of this child.
The Baptism of Jesus: The Messianic Anointing
The baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River marks the beginning of his public ministry and reveals his identity as the beloved Son of the Father. This moment is theologically rich because it manifests the Trinity (the Father speaking, the Son being baptized, the Spirit descending like a dove), prefigures Christian baptism, and shows Jesus' solidarity with the sinners he comes to save.
Verses to read: Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22 (The baptism of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels). The voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This statement echoes Psalm 2:7 (“You are my Son”) and Isaiah 42:1 (the Servant in whom God is “well pleased”), identifying Jesus as both the divine Son and the Servant who will fulfill the saving mission.
It is significant that Jesus, who has no sin to confess, asks to be baptized with a baptism of repentance. John the Baptist hesitates, recognizing that he should be the one baptized by Jesus (Matthew 3:14). But Jesus insists: “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). By this act, Jesus identifies himself with the sinners he comes to save, inaugurating his substitutionary work that will culminate at the cross.
Temptations in the Desert: Victory over Sin
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. These temptations are not anecdotal but an essential part of the work of redemption. Where Adam failed in the garden, Jesus, the new Adam, succeeds in the wilderness, demonstrating his victory over sin and Satan.
Verses to read: Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13 (The Temptations of Jesus in the Desert). The three temptations correspond to the three lusts mentioned by Saint John: the lust of the flesh (turning stones into bread), the lust of the eyes (all the kingdoms of the world), and the pride of life (throwing oneself from the pinnacle of the temple). Jesus responds to each temptation with Scripture, demonstrating that the Word of God is the spiritual weapon against evil.
Jesus' victory over temptation is essential to our salvation. The Letter to the Hebrews explains: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses. Rather, he was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Because Jesus overcame temptation on our behalf, he can free us from the bondage of sin.
The Ministry of Jesus Proclamation of the Kingdom
Jesus' public ministry, which lasted approximately three years, was entirely oriented toward the proclamation and inauguration of the Kingdom of God. Through his words and deeds—teachings, miracles, exorcisms, forgiveness—Jesus demonstrated that God's salvation was present and active. Each miracle was a sign of the coming Kingdom, an anticipation of the final restoration of all creation.
Key verses to read: Mark 1:14-15 (Proclamation of the Kingdom), John 3:16 (God's love and the gift of the Son), Luke 4:16-21 (Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth applies Isaiah's prophecy to himself). Jesus' initial proclamation according to Mark summarizes his entire message: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:15). Salvation is no longer simply promised for a distant future; it is "at hand," available now in Jesus.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most famous verse in the entire Bible, summarizing the gospel in a single sentence: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse reveals the motivation for salvation (God’s love), the means of salvation (the gift of the Son), the condition for salvation (faith), and the result of salvation (eternal life).
Sixth stage: Passion, Death and Resurrection
The Last Supper: Institution of the Eucharist
The Last Supper, Jesus' final meal with his disciples before his passion, is of paramount importance because it is at this moment that he institutes the Eucharist, the sacrament by which we participate in his redemptive sacrifice. This Passover meal transformed into a Eucharistic meal links the old Passover (liberation from slavery in Egypt) to the new Passover (freedom from sin through Christ).
Verses to read: Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (The accounts of the institution of the Eucharist). Jesus' words are solemn and full of meaning: "This is my body, which is given for you" and "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins" (synthesis of the four accounts).
These words fulfill several Old Testament prophecies and promises. First, Jesus establishes the “new covenant” promised by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31). Second, he presents his body and blood as a sacrifice for the “remission of sins,” fulfilling all the Old Testament sacrifices. Third, he offers this sacrifice “for you and for many,” echoing the language of Isaiah 53:12 about the Suffering Servant who “bore the sins of many.”
Gethsemane: Agony and Obedience
After the Last Supper, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane where he experiences terrible anguish in the face of the Passion that awaits him. This scene reveals both Jesus' true humanity (who experiences profound distress) and his total obedience to the Father (who freely accepts God's will). Gethsemane is the place where Jesus accomplishes what Adam had failed to do: preferring God's will to his own.
Verses to read: Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46 (The Agony in Gethsemane). Jesus' prayer is heartbreaking: "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39). The "cup" represents God's wrath against sin, which Jesus will drink in our place. His anguish is such that "his sweat was like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44).
Jesus' obedience in Gethsemane is crucial to our salvation. Saint Paul explains this in Romans 5:19: "For just as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one man many will be made righteous." Where Adam disobeyed in a garden of delights, Jesus obeys in a garden of suffering. This obedience reverses the curse of the fall.
The Trial and the Flogging: The Humiliation of the Servant
After his arrest, Jesus undergoes an unjust trial before the Jewish and Roman authorities, then is scourged and crowned with thorns in derision. These sufferings fulfill Isaiah's prophecies about the Suffering Servant who is "despised," "smitten by God," and "humbled" (Isaiah 53). Every humiliation Jesus endures has redemptive significance.
Verses to read: John 18:28-19:16 (The trial before Pilate), Matthew 27:27-31 (The scourging and mocking). Pilate's declaration, "Behold the man!" (John 19:5), is unintentionally prophetic. Jesus, disfigured by the beatings, represents humanity broken by sin, but at the same time, he is the true Man, the new Adam who will restore humanity.
The crown of thorns is particularly symbolic. Thorns entered the world as a consequence of Adam's sin (Genesis 3:18). By wearing a crown of thorns, Jesus bears the curse of sin. He is the mocked King who paradoxically rules through suffering.
The Crucifixion: The Supreme Sacrifice
The crucifixion of Jesus is the central event in the entire history of salvation. It is there, on the cross of Calvary, that the redemption of humanity is accomplished. Every detail of the crucifixion has been meditated upon by the Church for two thousand years and reveals an aspect of the mystery of our salvation.
Verses to read: The four accounts of the crucifixion: Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:17-37. Each gospel writer emphasizes different aspects of this unique event. John, in particular, highlights the fulfillments of Scripture: the parting of the garments (John 19:23-24, fulfilling Psalm 22:19), the unbroken bones (John 19:36, fulfilling Exodus 12:46 and Psalm 34:21), and the pierced side (John 19:37, fulfilling Zechariah 12:10).
Mark precisely records the times of the crucifixion according to a three-hour rhythm that corresponds to Jewish prayer times: Jesus is crucified at the third hour (9 a.m.), darkness falls at the sixth hour (noon), and death arrives at the ninth hour (3 p.m.). This temporal structure is not insignificant; it shows that the crucifixion fulfills and transcends the Jewish liturgy.
The seven words of Jesus on the cross, scattered throughout the four Gospels, reveal different dimensions of his sacrifice. The first word, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), manifests the radical forgiveness that is at the heart of redemption. The second, addressed to the good thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), shows that salvation is offered even at the last moment to those who repent.
The third word entrusts Mary to John and John to Mary (John 19:26-27), creating a new spiritual family that is the Church. The fourth, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), is a cry that quotes Psalm 22 and expresses Jesus’ total abandonment of bearing our sins. This terrible moment reveals that Jesus has truly taken upon himself the separation from God that sin causes.
The fifth word, "I thirst" (John 19:28), expresses both physical suffering and a spiritual thirst to perfectly fulfill the Father's will. The sixth, "It is finished" (John 19:30), is a triumphant declaration: the work of redemption is complete, all the sacrifices of the Old Testament are fulfilled. The seventh, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46), shows that Jesus freely gives his life; no one takes it from him.
The supernatural events that accompany Jesus' death underscore its cosmic significance. The darkness from noon to 3 p.m. symbolizes God's judgment on sin. The veil of the Temple being torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51) signifies that access to God is now open to all through Christ's sacrifice; the mediation of the Temple is now obsolete. The earthquake and the resurrection of the saints (Matthew 27:51-53) herald the victory over death that will be fully manifested at Easter.
Catholic theology has meditated for centuries on how the cross accomplishes our salvation. Saint Paul explains it in several complementary ways: it is an atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:25), a redemption or redemption (Ephesians 1:7), a reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), a justification (Romans 5:9), a victory over the powers of evil (Colossians 2:15). All these images contribute to expressing the inexpressible: God himself, in the person of his Son, took upon himself the weight of our sin and destroyed it by his infinite love.
The Resurrection: Definitive Victory
The resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion is the event that validates and completes his work of salvation. Without the resurrection, the cross would remain a tragic failure; with it, it becomes the definitive victory over sin and death. Saint Paul makes it clear: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
Verses to read: Matthew 28:1-20, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-53, John 20:1-21:25 (The accounts of the resurrection and the apparitions). Each Gospel presents the resurrection with its own emphases, but all converge on the central fact: the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive, he has appeared to many witnesses. These apparitions are not subjective visions or hallucinations, but real encounters with the risen Christ who still bears the marks of his passion but lives a new and glorious life.
The apparition to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) shows the personal tenderness of Jesus, which is first revealed to the one who sought him with such love. The apparition to the disciples at Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) reveals how the risen Christ makes himself known in the explanation of the Scriptures and the breaking of bread, prefiguring the Eucharistic liturgy of the Church. The apparition to the Eleven (John 20:19-23) includes the gift of the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive sins, instituting the sacrament of reconciliation.
Thomas's initial disbelief (John 20:24-29) and his final profession of faith, "My Lord and my God!" represent the journey of every believer from doubt to faith. The beatitude pronounced by Jesus, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29), speaks directly to us who believe two thousand years later without having seen the risen Christ with our physical eyes.
The resurrection fulfills several essential aspects of our salvation. First, it demonstrates that God has accepted Jesus' sacrifice and that our sins are truly forgiven. Second, it conquers death, that "last enemy" (1 Corinthians 15:26), opening for us the possibility of eternal life. Third, it makes Jesus the "firstfruits of those who have slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20), guaranteeing our own future resurrection.
The Ascension and Pentecost: the gift of the Spirit
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven in the presence of his disciples. The Ascension is not a departure that abandons us, but an elevation that opens the way to the Father. Jesus enters into divine glory with our human nature, which he has assumed, thus preparing a place for us in the Father's house (John 14:2-3).
Verses to read: Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11 (The Ascension), Acts 2:1-41 (Pentecost). Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave his disciples the great commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This universal commission shows that the salvation accomplished by Christ is intended for all peoples, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed in him.
Jesus also promises the sending of the Holy Spirit: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This promise is fulfilled ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples gathered in the Upper Room. The account in Acts 2 describes tongues of fire resting on each of them, enabling them to speak in other languages, a sign that the gospel is for all peoples.
Pentecost fulfills several Old Testament prophecies. It fulfills Jeremiah's promise of a law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33) and Ezekiel's promise of a new spirit given by God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). It also symbolically reverses the confusion of Babel: where languages had been confounded by the sin of pride, they are now unified by the Spirit to proclaim the wonders of God.
Peter's discourse at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) is the first kerygma, the first apostolic proclamation of salvation. Peter announces that Jesus, crucified by men but resurrected by God, is both Lord and Christ. He calls for repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand people respond to this call and are baptized that day, marking the public birth of the Church.
Seventh Stage: The Church, the Sacraments and the Final Accomplishment
The Church: Body of Christ and Sacrament of Salvation
After Pentecost, the book of Acts shows us the first Christian community living out the salvation received in Christ. The Church is not simply a human organization, but the Mystical Body of Christ, the instrument chosen by God to extend salvation to all nations. The opening chapters of Acts describe an ideal community characterized by the teaching of the apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread (the Eucharist), and prayer (Acts 2:42).
Verses to read: Acts 2:42-47 (The life of the first community), Acts 4:32-37 (The sharing of goods), 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (The Church as the body of Christ), Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:1-16 (The unity and growth of the Church). Saint Paul particularly develops the theology of the Church as the Body of Christ, where each member has its place and function, all united by the same Spirit. This image reveals that our salvation is not individualistic but communal; we are saved together as the people of God.
The Church is also presented as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), emphasizing the loving relationship between Christ and his people. Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25), revealing that the Church herself is the fruit of redemption. The purpose of this redemption is to present the Church to himself “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27), a purification that is gradually accomplished in history and will be completed at the end of time.
The Sacraments: Channels of Saving Grace
The sacraments are the privileged means by which the risen Christ continues to work salvation in the lives of believers. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that they are “effective signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, through which divine life is dispensed to us.” Although the Bible does not present a systematic sacramental theology, it contains the foundations of each of the seven Catholic sacraments.
Baptism is the sacrament of Christian initiation par excellence. Verses to read: Matthew 28:19 (Christ's command to baptize), John 3:3-5 (The necessity of being born of water and the Spirit), Romans 6:3-11 (Baptism as participation in Christ's death and resurrection), 1 Peter 3:21 (The baptism that saves). Paul explains that through baptism we are buried with Christ in his death to be resurrected with him to new life. This sacrament wipes away original sin and all personal sins, incorporates us into Christ and his Church, and makes us partakers of his divine life.
The Eucharist is the summit of sacramental life, actualizing the redemptive sacrifice of Christ. Verses to read: The Institution Accounts (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26), John 6:22-71 (The Bread of Life Discourse). In the Eucharistic Discourse of John 6, Jesus declares: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). The Eucharist unites us intimately with Christ, nourishes us with his divine life, and anticipates the heavenly banquet.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession) applies the fruits of redemption to sins committed after baptism. Verses to read: John 20:21-23 (Jesus gives the apostles the power to forgive sins), James 5:16 (Confess your sins to one another), 1 John 1:8-9 (If we confess our sins, God forgives us). This sacrament manifests the infinite mercy of God who never ceases to offer us his forgiveness if we sincerely repent.
Justification by Faith: Pauline Teaching
The epistles of Saint Paul, particularly Romans and Galatians, develop a systematic theology of salvation that has profoundly influenced the Catholic tradition. Paul insists that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not by works of the Law. This doctrine does not mean that good works are useless, but that our salvation rests fundamentally on the grace of God received by faith, and not on our own merits.
Verses to read: Romans 3:21-31 (Justification by Faith), Romans 5:1-11 (Peace with God through Justification), Galatians 2:15-21 (Life by Faith in Christ), Ephesians 2:1-10 (Saved by Grace through Faith). Ephesians 2:8-10 masterfully expresses the Catholic balance: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We are therefore saved by grace alone (sola gratia), but this grace does not remain ineffective: it produces good works in us. Saving faith is not a mere intellectual assent, but a living faith that works through love (Galatians 5:6). James complements Paul's teaching by emphasizing that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), not to contradict Paul but to balance his doctrine against erroneous interpretation.
Sanctification: Growth in Holiness
Salvation is not just a one-time event (justification), but also an ongoing process (sanctification) by which we are progressively transformed into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us from baptism, works this transformation throughout our lives. Catholic theology distinguishes between initial justification (by which we pass from the state of sin to the state of grace) and progressive sanctification (by which we grow in holiness).
Verses to read: Romans 8:1-17 (Life in the Spirit), 2 Corinthians 3:18 (Transformed from glory to glory), Philippians 2:12-13 (Working out your salvation with fear and trembling), Hebrews 12:1-14 (The discipline that produces holiness). Paul exhorts the Philippians: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). This seemingly paradoxical phrase perfectly expresses the cooperation between divine grace and human effort in sanctification.
Sanctification involves a constant spiritual struggle against sin, the flesh, and the devil. Paul describes this struggle in Romans 7:14-25, where he confesses, “The good I want I do not do, but the evil I do not want I do.” But he concludes with a cry of hope: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). Victory is assured in Christ, even if the battle continues until the end of our earthly life.
Eschatological Hope: Salvation Accomplished
Our salvation has three temporal dimensions, which theology summarizes as follows: we have been saved (past justification), we are being saved (present sanctification), and we will be saved (future glorification). This last, eschatological, dimension is crucial to fully understanding God's plan. The story of salvation that began in Genesis will find its completion in Revelation.
Verses to read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (The Resurrection of the Dead and the Rapture), 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (The Nature of the Resurrection), 2 Peter 3:1-13 (The New Heavens and the New Earth), Revelation 21:1-22:5 (The Vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem). These passages give us a glimpse of the final consummation of salvation, when God will create new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell.
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, presents a grand vision of final fulfillment. Chapter 21 describes the heavenly Jerusalem descending from heaven, and a voice proclaims: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither mourning nor crying nor pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). This promise finally fully fulfills God’s original desire to live in perfect communion with humanity.
The vision ends with the universal invitation: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who is thirsty come. Whoever wants to, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Salvation remains a free gift offered to all until the end. The book concludes with Christ’s promise, “Yes, I am coming quickly,” and the Church’s response, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
Living in Expectation: Christian Ethics
As we await Christ's glorious return, we are called to live worthy of the Gospel, manifesting in our lives the salvation we have received. Christian morality is not a legalistic burden but a joyful response to God's grace. Because we have been saved, we now live as children of light, bearing witness to the transformation wrought by Christ.
Verses to read: Matthew 5:7 (The Sermon on the Mount), Romans 12:1-21 (The Duties of a Christian), Galatians 5:16-26 (The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit), Colossians 3:1-17 (New Life in Christ). The Sermon on the Mount presents the radical ethic of the Kingdom, where Jesus calls his disciples to go beyond the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. This higher righteousness is not a new legalism but the expression of a heart transformed by grace.
Paul describes the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.” These virtues are not produced by human effort but grow naturally in a life animated by the Holy Spirit. They are the visible signs of the invisible salvation that works within us.L
Love is presented as the supreme commandment and the summary of the entire Law (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul sings it beautifully in his hymn to charity: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Without love, even the most spectacular spiritual gifts are meaningless. Salvation saves us from sin to enable us to love as God loves.
Conclusion
A Transformative Journey Through Scripture
Dear friend, we have now reached the end of this thematic reading plan on salvation and redemption, a journey that runs through the entire Catholic Bible and reveals the golden thread of God's love for humanity. This journey has allowed you to discover how, from Genesis to Revelation, God has never ceased to pursue his salvific plan with unwavering fidelity. Each passage you have meditated on, each verse you have savored, contributes to this magnificent tapestry of redemption woven by the Creator himself.
This reading plan was not simply an intellectual exercise or an accumulation of biblical knowledge. It was an invitation to personally encounter the God who saves, to understand the depth of his love manifested in Jesus Christ, and to respond to that love with faith and commitment. Thematic reading of the Bible, especially on a topic as central as salvation, has the power to transform our lives, renew our hope, and anchor us more deeply in the Catholic faith.
The Unity of the Divine Project
One of the most precious discoveries of this journey is undoubtedly the remarkable coherence of God's plan throughout biblical history. From the promise made to Abraham to the messianic prophecies, from the Exodus to Christ's Passover, from the Covenant at Sinai to the New Covenant in his blood, everything converges towards this central mystery: God came in person, in the flesh, to save us. The Old Testament prepares, announces, and prefigures; the New Testament fulfills, reveals, and realizes.
This profound unity of Scripture assures us that we do not believe in a capricious or changeable God, but in a God whose love is eternal and whose plan is coherent. Salvation is not a Plan B, a divine improvisation in the face of the failure of Plan A, but rather God's original design gradually fulfilled in history. Understanding this continuity helps us read the whole Bible with new eyes and discover the face of Christ everywhere.
The inexhaustible wealth of the saving mystery
While this reading plan has been substantial and detailed, know that it has only scratched the surface of the inexhaustible riches of the mystery of salvation. Catholic theologians, from the Fathers of the Church to the present day, have constantly meditated on this mystery without ever exhausting its depth. Saint Paul himself exclaimed: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).
This inexhaustible richness means you can return to these texts again and again, each time discovering new facets, new applications, new consolations. The Bible is not a book you read once to check off a box, but a living source to which you constantly return to drink. The Holy Spirit, who inspired these Scriptures, continues to illuminate them for each generation and each reader according to their particular needs.
From knowledge to transformation
The true measure of success with this reading plan is not the number of passages read or verses memorized, but the transformation of your life. Have you grown in your understanding of God's love for you personally? Has your faith in Jesus Christ as your only Savior deepened? Has your desire to live consistently with the gospel been rekindled? These are the questions that really matter.
Catholic doctrine teaches that salvation, while a free gift of God's grace, calls us to an active response of faith, hope, and charity. Intellectually knowing the plan of salvation is not enough; we must embrace it in our hearts, live it out in our daily choices, and bear witness to it through our actions. The Bible is not simply a book to be studied, but a living Word to be embodied.
The call to continue the path
This reading plan marks a step in your spiritual journey, but certainly not the end. On the contrary, it should have given you an even greater appetite for the Word of God and a desire to continue exploring its riches. Perhaps you could now undertake other thematic reading plans: on the Holy Spirit, on the Church, on the Christian moral life, on eschatological hope. Each biblical theme illuminates the others and contributes to an ever richer understanding of the Catholic faith.
I also encourage you not to keep what you have discovered to yourself. Share with other believers the treasures you have found on this journey. Perhaps form a Bible reading group in your parish where you can follow this thematic plan together, share your reflections, and encourage one another. God's Word is meant to be shared, and we grow in our understanding when we share with our brothers and sisters in the faith.
The centrality of Christ
If you were to remember only one thing from this entire journey, let it be this: Jesus Christ is the center, the heart, and the summit of all biblical revelation. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of the entire history of salvation. Everything in the Old Testament prepares for it, everything in the New Testament reveals it and draws its consequences. He is the Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the Suffering Servant, the High Priest, the King of kings, the Savior of the world.
To know Christ is not just to know facts about him, but to enter into a personal and living relationship with him. It is this relationship that saves us, that transforms us, that gives meaning and direction to our lives. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to encounter Christ and to know him ever more intimately. As Saint Jerome, one of the great Fathers of the Church, said: “To be ignorant of the Scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ.”
An invitation to praise and commitment
As we contemplate the immensity of God's work of salvation, the only appropriate response is praise and thanksgiving. How can we not marvel at a God who loved the world so much that he gave his only Son? How can we not be touched by a love that goes so far as to save us on the cross? May your reading of the Bible therefore lead to more fervent prayer, a more conscious liturgy, and a richer sacramental life.
But praise must also translate into commitment. If God loved us so much, we too must love our brothers and sisters. If Christ gave his life for us, we must also give our lives for others. We are called to bear generous witness to the salvation we have received freely. The mission of the Church, and therefore of every Christian, is to proclaim this Good News of salvation to all peoples, to the ends of the earth.
Towards final accomplishment
Finally, remember that the history of salvation is not yet completely complete. Christ came once to accomplish our redemption through his death and resurrection, but he will return in glory to consummate all things. We live in that intermediary time, between the "already" and the "not yet," where the Kingdom of God is inaugurated but not yet fully realized. This eschatological perspective gives our Christian life its creative tension and dynamism.
The conclusion of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, resonates with an invitation and a promise: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ […] He who testifies these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!’” (Revelation 22:17, 20). It is on this note of joyful hope that I end this reading plan. May studying God’s Word about salvation fill you with unwavering hope and a renewed love for the Savior.
Walk therefore in the light of this Word, live in the grace of this salvation, and bear witness with joy to this redemption which is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, strengthen you, establish you, and make you steadfast.
To him be glory and power forever and ever!
Amen.
References
Catholic Bibles
The Jerusalem Bible (Revised edition 1998). Paris: Éditions du Cerf. This Bible, produced by the École Biblique et Archéologique de Jérusalem, is considered the great Catholic reference Bible in French. It combines a quality translation with rich and erudite explanatory notes, the fruit of the work of the best French-speaking specialists.
The Ecumenical Translation of the Bible (TOB) (complete edition with deuterocanonicals). Paris: Éditions du Cerf/Société Biblique Française. This interdenominational translation offers the advantage of containing all the canonical books of the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions, with explanatory notes prepared by biblical scholars of different denominations.
The Bible – Liturgical Translation (with explanatory notes). Paris: AELF/Salvator. This edition presents the official translation used in the French-speaking Catholic liturgy, enriched with more than 25,000 explanatory notes. A valuable tool for linking personal reading and liturgical celebration.
The Bible Explained (Catholic edition with the deuterocanonical books). Paris: Universal Bible Alliance. This Bible is distinguished by its particularly clear translation into contemporary French and its educational explanations accessible to all. It places the texts in their historical and religious context while emphasizing their current relevance.
The Holy Bible commented on by Abbé Fillion (8 volumes, 1888-1904). This monumental 6,135-page Bible offers extensive commentaries that remain a reference for traditional Catholic exegesis. Translated from the Vulgate of Saint Jerome, it offers a thorough theological and spiritual approach.
Theological works
International Theological Commission, The Redeeming God: Selected Questions (1995). Vatican: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This official Vatican document presents a masterful theological synthesis on redemption, addressing contemporary issues in the light of Catholic tradition.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica (complete edition in 2 volumes). Paris: Éditions du Cerf. The masterwork of Catholic theology that remains essential for understanding the doctrine of salvation in the Thomistic tradition. Questions about redemption, grace, and the sacraments are particularly relevant to our theme.
Joseph Moingt, The Revelation of Salvation in the Death of Christ: Outline of a Systematic Theology of RedemptionThis in-depth study offers a systematic reflection on the Paschal Mystery and its salvific role.
Pope Francis, Christian Salvation. Paris: Parole et Silence. Pope Francis explains with clarity and pastoral depth what salvation means for Christians today, emphasizing the ecclesial and communal dimension of redemption.
Henri Blocher, The Doctrine of Sin and RedemptionA solid theological work that explores the biblical foundations of sin and redemption. Although written from a Reformed evangelical perspective, it offers rich and insightful biblical analyses.
Bible Reading Guides
Christus Vivit, Read the Catholic Bible in a YearThis reading program offers a structured path to reading the entire Catholic Bible in one year, with practical tips for maintaining discipline and motivation.
Canadian Bible Society, Daily Bible Reading Guide. A guide based on the Common Lectionaries that allows for daily reading of Scripture in a structured manner. Available in French (Bible en français courant), it covers 60 biblical books and offers 365 passages.
The Guide – Bible Reading Plan 2025. LLB Editions. Over the course of a year, this guide allows you to skim over each book of the Bible with a verse of the day accompanied by a meditation.
Comments
Antoine Nouis, The Historical Books – The Bible, Complete Verse-by-Verse Commentary. Olivétan Editions. This commentary offers both a pastoral and spiritual approach to the historical books of the Old Testament. Each verse is commented on with parallels between the two Testaments and numerous cultural references.
Jean-Pierre Torrell, Catholic TheologyA reference work that presents the main axes of Catholic theology according to Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Roger Lefebvre, Is the cross the answer to Adam's sin? A theological reflection on the link between the original fall and redemption through the cross.
