Scripture: Romans 12:9-16
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind high on things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Reaction: I found this reading under the topic of Hospitality, because today I‘m hosting a luncheon for some friends. These are ladies who have expressed an interest in starting a prayer group at our church, and after lunch we’ll discuss some possible formats. I have to admit that I don’t entertain as often as I like, partly because I’m often self-conscious about my house, my food choices, etc. Perhaps I lack confidence, or perhaps I’m too self-absorbed, wanting to make a good impression on others. But in the past few years I’ve become less concerned about outward appearances, concentrating more on making my guests feel at home. This has been a very freeing experience!
Still, I spent the morning cleaning before beginning my meditation. While the passage does encourage hospitality, that wasn’t the phrase that was the most meaningful to me. Several other phrases echoed my reflections of the last several months, especially giving preference to others, serving the Lord, and being steadfast in prayer. But the phrase that I repeated as my mantra today was “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation”.
I know that I’ve been feeling a little unsettled lately because there are a lot of things up in the air: the prayer group, an exercise class I’m scheduled to teach in the fall (if enough people sign up), other part-time job possibilities, and extended dance lessons (my husband’s request). I am again waking earlier than I’d like to, after only 5 or 6 hours of sleep, and even though I’m not actively thinking about all of my options, and how everything will fit together, I think they’re still in the back of my mind. Insomnia is a tribulation I’ve encountered for many years now; it became chronic when my job demands became overwhelming, and still crops up from time to time, even though all of my current commitments are self-imposed. But eventually my sleep patterns revert to my preferred 7 -8 hours per night. When I’m troubled by insomnia, I try to tell myself ‘This too shall pass.” Usually this helps, and today’s scripture reinforced the need to be patient during this time of uncertainty. Likewise, I'm very hopefully about the same activities that are causing my unrest. All of them are very exciting to me, though I’m afraid I might over-commit or that the timeframes will overlap. Still, I know that things always seem to work out, so I can be hopeful in this regard. Since I have so many opportunities ahead of me, I can rejoice in the hope that they will bring me that much closer to God, as well as providing me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Besides, since I am intent on doing the will of the Lord, certainly He will assist in making all things workable.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Speak Lord, your servant is listening
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3: 4- 10
“Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Reaction: Today the phrase ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening’ kept running through my mind. It’s the name of a book I used when I first started praying with scriptures in 2008. So I decided to read the whole passage from Samuel, where this phrase originated.
My impression during my meditation was that I could not expect the type of overt directives that Samuel received throughout in his relationship with God. But that doesn’t mean that the Lord is not speaking to me. As a spiritual director once told me, God gives us a lot of nudges, and it’s up to us to be open to them. As I continue to heighten my sensitivity to these nudges, I can discern where it is the Lord is leading me. I feel very strongly that there are some recurring themes in these proddings, leading me away from materialism, away from pride, towards love for all and putting others before myself. Most of all, I am being guided to deepen my personal relationship with God by praying with His holy word and contemplating what it means to me. And lately, though I’ve rarely felt comfortable ‘witnessing’ to others, I’ve had some very fulfilling responses as I’ve shared my prayer experiences. I feel that the path of the witness is another place the Lord is leading me.
Today’s meditation told me to continue on my course of prayer, but to be prepared for a few detours along the way. I won’t necessarily find a neon sign pointing out the new direction, but perhaps just warm breeze, an inviting aroma or an encouraging word from a friend might be the hand of God nudging me on my way.
“Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Reaction: Today the phrase ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening’ kept running through my mind. It’s the name of a book I used when I first started praying with scriptures in 2008. So I decided to read the whole passage from Samuel, where this phrase originated.
My impression during my meditation was that I could not expect the type of overt directives that Samuel received throughout in his relationship with God. But that doesn’t mean that the Lord is not speaking to me. As a spiritual director once told me, God gives us a lot of nudges, and it’s up to us to be open to them. As I continue to heighten my sensitivity to these nudges, I can discern where it is the Lord is leading me. I feel very strongly that there are some recurring themes in these proddings, leading me away from materialism, away from pride, towards love for all and putting others before myself. Most of all, I am being guided to deepen my personal relationship with God by praying with His holy word and contemplating what it means to me. And lately, though I’ve rarely felt comfortable ‘witnessing’ to others, I’ve had some very fulfilling responses as I’ve shared my prayer experiences. I feel that the path of the witness is another place the Lord is leading me.
Today’s meditation told me to continue on my course of prayer, but to be prepared for a few detours along the way. I won’t necessarily find a neon sign pointing out the new direction, but perhaps just warm breeze, an inviting aroma or an encouraging word from a friend might be the hand of God nudging me on my way.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
You have searched me and known me
Scripture: Psalms 139: 1- 10
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
Reaction: Today’s meditation imparted that message that the Lord is with me even when I am not actively seeking His presence. He knows my every thought and every desire, and His hand is always upon me. Contemplating on this, I echoed the elation expressed by the psalmist: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!
In the past few weeks I have been trying to be more consistent in keeping the Lord in my thoughts and in my heart. As I wrote in a recent post, I know that I don’t have to be perfect in this regard, but I believe it is a good goal to have. I do know that my days are most joyful and satisfying when I am aware of God’s presence in everything that surrounds me. But this reading was a reminder that even at those times when the Lord is not in the forefront of my being, He is behind me and before me, leading me and holding me as I go through my daily existence.
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
Reaction: Today’s meditation imparted that message that the Lord is with me even when I am not actively seeking His presence. He knows my every thought and every desire, and His hand is always upon me. Contemplating on this, I echoed the elation expressed by the psalmist: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me!
In the past few weeks I have been trying to be more consistent in keeping the Lord in my thoughts and in my heart. As I wrote in a recent post, I know that I don’t have to be perfect in this regard, but I believe it is a good goal to have. I do know that my days are most joyful and satisfying when I am aware of God’s presence in everything that surrounds me. But this reading was a reminder that even at those times when the Lord is not in the forefront of my being, He is behind me and before me, leading me and holding me as I go through my daily existence.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Like a Tree Planted by Waters
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8
Thus says the Lord:”Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Reaction: Lately I have writing a lot about trusting the Lord, so this passage seemed very appropriate. During my meditation, I did feel blessed knowing that I can always place my trust in God. The image of the tree planted by the water made me think of an earlier prayer session where I was drinking from Christ’s living waters. I imagined that my roots (faith in God) would continue to be nourished and strengthened, even through dry spells and oppressing heat. If I remain steadfast, I will continue to bear fruit. Since I have had fruit trees in the past, I know that some years yield better crops than others. So too might my fruits be diminished during some episodes in my life, but I will not cease to yield some fruit as long as I take my nourishment from the Lord.
Thus says the Lord:”Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Reaction: Lately I have writing a lot about trusting the Lord, so this passage seemed very appropriate. During my meditation, I did feel blessed knowing that I can always place my trust in God. The image of the tree planted by the water made me think of an earlier prayer session where I was drinking from Christ’s living waters. I imagined that my roots (faith in God) would continue to be nourished and strengthened, even through dry spells and oppressing heat. If I remain steadfast, I will continue to bear fruit. Since I have had fruit trees in the past, I know that some years yield better crops than others. So too might my fruits be diminished during some episodes in my life, but I will not cease to yield some fruit as long as I take my nourishment from the Lord.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Fullness of God
Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-20
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge: that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Reaction: I found this reading under the topic of Christian Life. There are so many meaningful phrases in just these few verses, but I chose to concentrate on two of them: “…be strengthened with might through His Spirit…” and “…be filled with all the fullness of God.”
In a previous prayer session, I viewed ‘strength’ as having the confidence to make good decisions and the fortitude to follow through with them. Today this theme was expanded to include physical and emotional strength as well. I am currently involved in some pursuits that are not of a spiritual nature, and they require some physical dexterity that I’m still trying to achieve. There are also areas of my life where I wish I had more ‘will power’ to resist overeating and other temptations. Although these issues where not on my mind when I began my scriptural contemplation, I definitely felt that God would give me the power I need to work on my all of my goals, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual. The might of His Spirit is there to fortify me in all good things that I pursue.
As a spiritual director once told me, if I always keep the Lord before me and dedicate all that I do to Him, then everything I do is a form of prayer. In the past several weeks I’ve been thinking about how to keep the Lord ever present in my life. I’ve come up with a few strategies to remember that He is always with me, and I am getting better at applying them. As I continue to be aware of His presence and of Christ dwelling in my heart through faith, I am indeed filled with joy and peace, and with all of the fullness of God.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge: that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Reaction: I found this reading under the topic of Christian Life. There are so many meaningful phrases in just these few verses, but I chose to concentrate on two of them: “…be strengthened with might through His Spirit…” and “…be filled with all the fullness of God.”
In a previous prayer session, I viewed ‘strength’ as having the confidence to make good decisions and the fortitude to follow through with them. Today this theme was expanded to include physical and emotional strength as well. I am currently involved in some pursuits that are not of a spiritual nature, and they require some physical dexterity that I’m still trying to achieve. There are also areas of my life where I wish I had more ‘will power’ to resist overeating and other temptations. Although these issues where not on my mind when I began my scriptural contemplation, I definitely felt that God would give me the power I need to work on my all of my goals, be they physical, emotional, or spiritual. The might of His Spirit is there to fortify me in all good things that I pursue.
As a spiritual director once told me, if I always keep the Lord before me and dedicate all that I do to Him, then everything I do is a form of prayer. In the past several weeks I’ve been thinking about how to keep the Lord ever present in my life. I’ve come up with a few strategies to remember that He is always with me, and I am getting better at applying them. As I continue to be aware of His presence and of Christ dwelling in my heart through faith, I am indeed filled with joy and peace, and with all of the fullness of God.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Small Steps
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reaction: I have received so many wonderful insights from my prayer sessions, but sometimes I wonder if I’m applying them as faithfully as I should. I looked in the topic index in several issues of Our Daily Bread for something that would help me live according to the insights I received. I don’t know exactly what topic I was looking for (perhaps resolve or steadfastness), but I finally decided on this passage listed under Obedience. Interestingly, the short narrative given before the reading spoke of taking small steps towards a life dedicated to Christ. Earlier in the week I had been thinking I was getting off track on my weight maintenance, and that I needed to make a few more small changes to reverse the bad trend. So it makes sense that just as with anything else, I would make small changes in my spiritual life instead of expecting a complete transformation. With this in mind, I began to contemplate on the passage from Deuteronomy. Several reflections came to mind:
1) What God is commanding in this passage is pretty basic: simply to love Him, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments. I can’t expect to do all of these things all of the time, but if I strive to follow these guidelines, I can’t go wrong.
2) I am sometimes troubled by my lack of trust in God's providence, by harboring ill-will towards others, or by focusing on temporal concerns that steal my concentration away from Christ. But I received hope from the phrase “But if your heart turns way, and you will not hear…” I know that I have not turned away from trusting in God, and I do continue to hear Him, regardless of my occasional lapses. Overall, I know I have chosen life and good over death and evil, and so I will surely not perish.
3) Just as I didn’t lose 80 pounds in just one year or become a decent dancer after a few lessons, I shouldn’t expect to become a beacon of holiness and a perfect Christian even with my fruitful prayer life. In fact, it’s quite obvious that neither I nor anyone else will ever be a perfect Christian, though that’s not a bad goal to shoot for. This reminds me of another life lesson I learned from my dance instructor. He pointed out that there’s no such thing as a perfect ballroom dancer, and though he’s won competitions, he still takes coaching from more renowned dancers. He continues to study new techniques and practices with his partner constantly. We are all striving to be better at the things that are important to us, and we do indeed improve with practice and additional instruction.
4) There are certainly small changes I can make in my life to walk in God’s ways more often. I can make a habit of praying for the grace to see God in all things and dedicate my all I do to the Lord every time I leave the house. I already offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving part as of my morning routine, and I'm pretty good about keeping God before me when I am by myself, but He often falls to the sidelines when I’m with others. By reminding myself of His role in my life when I open my front door, I can keep Him even more present in my life. I can also resolve to say a prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help whenever I start to fall into temptation. I truly believe that my spiritual life is a process, and each small step I take brings me closer to being one with the Lord.
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in His ways, and by keeping His commandments and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reaction: I have received so many wonderful insights from my prayer sessions, but sometimes I wonder if I’m applying them as faithfully as I should. I looked in the topic index in several issues of Our Daily Bread for something that would help me live according to the insights I received. I don’t know exactly what topic I was looking for (perhaps resolve or steadfastness), but I finally decided on this passage listed under Obedience. Interestingly, the short narrative given before the reading spoke of taking small steps towards a life dedicated to Christ. Earlier in the week I had been thinking I was getting off track on my weight maintenance, and that I needed to make a few more small changes to reverse the bad trend. So it makes sense that just as with anything else, I would make small changes in my spiritual life instead of expecting a complete transformation. With this in mind, I began to contemplate on the passage from Deuteronomy. Several reflections came to mind:
1) What God is commanding in this passage is pretty basic: simply to love Him, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments. I can’t expect to do all of these things all of the time, but if I strive to follow these guidelines, I can’t go wrong.
2) I am sometimes troubled by my lack of trust in God's providence, by harboring ill-will towards others, or by focusing on temporal concerns that steal my concentration away from Christ. But I received hope from the phrase “But if your heart turns way, and you will not hear…” I know that I have not turned away from trusting in God, and I do continue to hear Him, regardless of my occasional lapses. Overall, I know I have chosen life and good over death and evil, and so I will surely not perish.
3) Just as I didn’t lose 80 pounds in just one year or become a decent dancer after a few lessons, I shouldn’t expect to become a beacon of holiness and a perfect Christian even with my fruitful prayer life. In fact, it’s quite obvious that neither I nor anyone else will ever be a perfect Christian, though that’s not a bad goal to shoot for. This reminds me of another life lesson I learned from my dance instructor. He pointed out that there’s no such thing as a perfect ballroom dancer, and though he’s won competitions, he still takes coaching from more renowned dancers. He continues to study new techniques and practices with his partner constantly. We are all striving to be better at the things that are important to us, and we do indeed improve with practice and additional instruction.
4) There are certainly small changes I can make in my life to walk in God’s ways more often. I can make a habit of praying for the grace to see God in all things and dedicate my all I do to the Lord every time I leave the house. I already offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving part as of my morning routine, and I'm pretty good about keeping God before me when I am by myself, but He often falls to the sidelines when I’m with others. By reminding myself of His role in my life when I open my front door, I can keep Him even more present in my life. I can also resolve to say a prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help whenever I start to fall into temptation. I truly believe that my spiritual life is a process, and each small step I take brings me closer to being one with the Lord.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Light of the World
Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-16
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Reaction: I don’t know why I was drawn to this reading today, especially since it’s such a familiar one. One thing I love about praying with the scriptures is that I’m becoming familiar with so many Biblical treasures, not just the readings I hear at Sunday Mass. But I turned to this passage and decided to contemplate on it, thinking that it might have new meaning for me. And indeed it did.
The image I had today was one of being drawn to Christ’s light. After all, Jesus tells us in John 8:12 that He is the light of the world ("I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.") As I was called to Christ’s light, I began to absorb the radiance of His love, His wisdom, and His goodness. Soon I was aglow with His gifts and His grace. So even though Christ tells me that I am the light of the world, I am not the source of the light, but rather an object to reflect the brilliance of God’s power and love. It is my sincere hope to always keep God before me so that I can take in all of His powerful light, using it to shine before others and to glorify the Father.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Reaction: I don’t know why I was drawn to this reading today, especially since it’s such a familiar one. One thing I love about praying with the scriptures is that I’m becoming familiar with so many Biblical treasures, not just the readings I hear at Sunday Mass. But I turned to this passage and decided to contemplate on it, thinking that it might have new meaning for me. And indeed it did.
The image I had today was one of being drawn to Christ’s light. After all, Jesus tells us in John 8:12 that He is the light of the world ("I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.") As I was called to Christ’s light, I began to absorb the radiance of His love, His wisdom, and His goodness. Soon I was aglow with His gifts and His grace. So even though Christ tells me that I am the light of the world, I am not the source of the light, but rather an object to reflect the brilliance of God’s power and love. It is my sincere hope to always keep God before me so that I can take in all of His powerful light, using it to shine before others and to glorify the Father.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Be strong and of good courage
Scripture: Joshua 1: 6-9
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you many prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reactions: Before I sat down for my scripture meditation, I wrote down several issues I’ve been contemplating lately. I realized that some of these may take a bit of courage on my part, so I chose this reading under the topic of Courage.
My first reaction was that the word strong was written three times, as was courage or courageous. What does it mean to be strong? In this context I believe it means being confident and willing to press on regardless of doubts and roadblocks. But I am not confident! I’m still trying to figure out how to balance all of my interests and pursuits, which is why I made my list before I began praying. I was hoping that the Lord would tell me exactly how everything would fit together. Instead, I got the message “Be confident in your decisions and just do what you know needs to be done.”
But how do I know what needs to be done? While I was listening to God’s encouragement, I came to realize that I cannot do this all by myself. First and foremost, I need to call upon God when I’m in the situations that cause me the most uncertainty. The last verse of my reading tells me what I already know, that God is with me wherever I go, so all I need to do is to call upon Him for guidance, confidence, strength and courage. The passage also stresses another aspect of my life currently in play: that I shall meditate in the scriptures (Book of Law) day and night. Finally, I remembered my earlier impressions to consider the viewpoints and opinions of others when trying to organize my life. I think that’s where the courage comes in. For some strange reason, I am often hesitant to make phone calls or talk to others (even my immediate family) about my various concerns. But I know that need to take these steps, and today’s meditation urged me to just take them! So I will make a few phone calls as soon as I finish this post, and plan to discuss another issue with my husband this evening.
My final thoughts as I wrapped up my prayer session were that I don’t need to do everything all at once. While on retreat I resolved to let God be the Master Planner, instead of trying to create my own ‘project plan’ for my life. Now I'm reminded that I need not plan everything out to the last detail. I will start with the most important issues: how to go about setting up a prayer group at our church, and how much time to devote to ballroom dancing. Other decisions, such as taking additional fitness training, can wait till later. I need to remember my plan to test all things, and hold what is good. I’ve barely started testing, so how can I decide on what to hold and what to let go?
I see that this prayer session was very helpful to me, not so much in making final decisions, but in defining how to go about exploring my options. I am no longer afraid or dismayed, and I’m feeling confident enough to take the first few steps.
“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you many prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reactions: Before I sat down for my scripture meditation, I wrote down several issues I’ve been contemplating lately. I realized that some of these may take a bit of courage on my part, so I chose this reading under the topic of Courage.
My first reaction was that the word strong was written three times, as was courage or courageous. What does it mean to be strong? In this context I believe it means being confident and willing to press on regardless of doubts and roadblocks. But I am not confident! I’m still trying to figure out how to balance all of my interests and pursuits, which is why I made my list before I began praying. I was hoping that the Lord would tell me exactly how everything would fit together. Instead, I got the message “Be confident in your decisions and just do what you know needs to be done.”
But how do I know what needs to be done? While I was listening to God’s encouragement, I came to realize that I cannot do this all by myself. First and foremost, I need to call upon God when I’m in the situations that cause me the most uncertainty. The last verse of my reading tells me what I already know, that God is with me wherever I go, so all I need to do is to call upon Him for guidance, confidence, strength and courage. The passage also stresses another aspect of my life currently in play: that I shall meditate in the scriptures (Book of Law) day and night. Finally, I remembered my earlier impressions to consider the viewpoints and opinions of others when trying to organize my life. I think that’s where the courage comes in. For some strange reason, I am often hesitant to make phone calls or talk to others (even my immediate family) about my various concerns. But I know that need to take these steps, and today’s meditation urged me to just take them! So I will make a few phone calls as soon as I finish this post, and plan to discuss another issue with my husband this evening.
My final thoughts as I wrapped up my prayer session were that I don’t need to do everything all at once. While on retreat I resolved to let God be the Master Planner, instead of trying to create my own ‘project plan’ for my life. Now I'm reminded that I need not plan everything out to the last detail. I will start with the most important issues: how to go about setting up a prayer group at our church, and how much time to devote to ballroom dancing. Other decisions, such as taking additional fitness training, can wait till later. I need to remember my plan to test all things, and hold what is good. I’ve barely started testing, so how can I decide on what to hold and what to let go?
I see that this prayer session was very helpful to me, not so much in making final decisions, but in defining how to go about exploring my options. I am no longer afraid or dismayed, and I’m feeling confident enough to take the first few steps.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Calm Spirit
Scripture: Proverbs 17: 27
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”
Today’s passage was under the topic of Unity. I had spoken to Sister Ellen earlier in the day about our prayer group, and I learned that her approach is somewhat different from mine. Therefore, unity seemed like a good topic to explore.
It’s interesting that I’ve been thinking about wisdom lately, and this one verse mentions both knowledge and understanding. The message to me is clear: sometimes it’s best to speak little, and instead listen and observe. This goes along with my previous reflection that wisdom often comes from considering things from the other person’s point of view. In my meditation today, the words “listen, learn, and understand” were prominent. Since I am planning to meet with a couple of members of our St. Vincent de Paul society in a few weeks to discuss the prayer group, I will keep these words in mind. Though it’s sometimes hard for me to do, I will attempt to spare my words, and instead listen to everyone’s ideas, learn about the different ways we can organize the group, and hopefully come to an understanding of the best way to implement it. Unity is the key, and that thought did leave me in a calm spirit.
“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.”
Today’s passage was under the topic of Unity. I had spoken to Sister Ellen earlier in the day about our prayer group, and I learned that her approach is somewhat different from mine. Therefore, unity seemed like a good topic to explore.
It’s interesting that I’ve been thinking about wisdom lately, and this one verse mentions both knowledge and understanding. The message to me is clear: sometimes it’s best to speak little, and instead listen and observe. This goes along with my previous reflection that wisdom often comes from considering things from the other person’s point of view. In my meditation today, the words “listen, learn, and understand” were prominent. Since I am planning to meet with a couple of members of our St. Vincent de Paul society in a few weeks to discuss the prayer group, I will keep these words in mind. Though it’s sometimes hard for me to do, I will attempt to spare my words, and instead listen to everyone’s ideas, learn about the different ways we can organize the group, and hopefully come to an understanding of the best way to implement it. Unity is the key, and that thought did leave me in a calm spirit.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Come and Drink
Scripture: John 7:37-39
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive’ for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Reaction: I discerned some beautiful images while contemplating on this passage, which I found under the topic of Joy. Christ beckoned me to come to Him to drink from a bubbling spring whenever I was in need of physical, mental or spiritual refreshment. The words He spoke to me were like this: “Need some courage? Come and drink. Need encouragement? Come and drink. Need more faith? Come and drink. Need wisdom? Come and drink. Need love? Come and drink. Need life? Come and drink.”
I then imagined drinking from the spring, and being filled with every gift and blessing, till all my needs were satisfied. These graces welled up inside of me and eventually burst forth, not so much like a flowing river but rather as an aura radiating from my being. Christ reminded me that the waters of his spring will never run dry.
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive’ for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Reaction: I discerned some beautiful images while contemplating on this passage, which I found under the topic of Joy. Christ beckoned me to come to Him to drink from a bubbling spring whenever I was in need of physical, mental or spiritual refreshment. The words He spoke to me were like this: “Need some courage? Come and drink. Need encouragement? Come and drink. Need more faith? Come and drink. Need wisdom? Come and drink. Need love? Come and drink. Need life? Come and drink.”
I then imagined drinking from the spring, and being filled with every gift and blessing, till all my needs were satisfied. These graces welled up inside of me and eventually burst forth, not so much like a flowing river but rather as an aura radiating from my being. Christ reminded me that the waters of his spring will never run dry.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Speaking Wisdom
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him".
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Reactions: I have read parts of this chapter on different occasions, which I found under the topic of ‘Knowing God’. Though my reference (the devotional ‘Our Daily Bread’) only listed verses 6-16, I eventually read the whole chapter and got a completely different perspective from previous reflections.
In the past, I found hope and excitement in the Paul’s reference to Isaiah, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him". For me it meant that marvelous things await me – joy, fulfillment, blessings – when I begin to use my spiritual gifts to do the work of God. I have indeed experienced some of these marvels by sharing my prayer experiences with others and engaging in various acts of charity.
Yesterday, my meditation focused on the words “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery … but God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” My reaction was again one of anticipation, trusting that with time, devotion, and prayer, the Holy Spirit will reveal more of God’s mysterious ways to me. He has already revealed many truths to me, and more are constantly unfolding.
Today I read the entire chapter, and this time my impressions centered on others, not on myself. To paraphrase John Kennedy, it’s not what I think God can do for me, but what I can do for others through God.
I have often prayed for wisdom, and in today’s meditation I perceived that this gift might be enhanced if I consider the other person’s point of view and acting accordingly. Many times the ‘bad decisions’ I think I’ve made came about because I was trying to do what worked out best for me or put me in the best possible light. Today’s message was that wise decisions will come when I consider others first. In a way, this is contradictory to what Paul is reporting when he says that his words come not from human wisdom but from the power of God. But my impression today was that I must to be open to receive the gift of wisdom with a pure and loving heart. Only then will my witness to others be borne “not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him".
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
Reactions: I have read parts of this chapter on different occasions, which I found under the topic of ‘Knowing God’. Though my reference (the devotional ‘Our Daily Bread’) only listed verses 6-16, I eventually read the whole chapter and got a completely different perspective from previous reflections.
In the past, I found hope and excitement in the Paul’s reference to Isaiah, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him". For me it meant that marvelous things await me – joy, fulfillment, blessings – when I begin to use my spiritual gifts to do the work of God. I have indeed experienced some of these marvels by sharing my prayer experiences with others and engaging in various acts of charity.
Yesterday, my meditation focused on the words “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery … but God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” My reaction was again one of anticipation, trusting that with time, devotion, and prayer, the Holy Spirit will reveal more of God’s mysterious ways to me. He has already revealed many truths to me, and more are constantly unfolding.
Today I read the entire chapter, and this time my impressions centered on others, not on myself. To paraphrase John Kennedy, it’s not what I think God can do for me, but what I can do for others through God.
I have often prayed for wisdom, and in today’s meditation I perceived that this gift might be enhanced if I consider the other person’s point of view and acting accordingly. Many times the ‘bad decisions’ I think I’ve made came about because I was trying to do what worked out best for me or put me in the best possible light. Today’s message was that wise decisions will come when I consider others first. In a way, this is contradictory to what Paul is reporting when he says that his words come not from human wisdom but from the power of God. But my impression today was that I must to be open to receive the gift of wisdom with a pure and loving heart. Only then will my witness to others be borne “not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”
Friday, June 12, 2009
Magnify Him with Thanksgiving
Scripture: Psalm 69:30-32
“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”
Reaction: Still aglow from yesterday’s enriching prayer experience, and reveling in the glorious spring weather, I chose the topic of Thanksgiving for today’s reading. I focused on the words “magnify Him with thanksgiving” from the psalm. As I repeated this phrase I imagined my love for God and gratitude for all He has done for me continuing to build and grow. Words of thanksgiving and praise flooded my heart, and I knew these outpourings were very pleasing to God. Again, I felt His presence as He just stayed close, accepting my worship. As I re-read the passage, I saw it contained the word ‘seek’, which seems to keep popping up in my readings. Of the many ways I seek to Lord, I know that sometimes just offering simple prayers of adoration and thanks can bring Him closer to me.
“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves. The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live.”
Reaction: Still aglow from yesterday’s enriching prayer experience, and reveling in the glorious spring weather, I chose the topic of Thanksgiving for today’s reading. I focused on the words “magnify Him with thanksgiving” from the psalm. As I repeated this phrase I imagined my love for God and gratitude for all He has done for me continuing to build and grow. Words of thanksgiving and praise flooded my heart, and I knew these outpourings were very pleasing to God. Again, I felt His presence as He just stayed close, accepting my worship. As I re-read the passage, I saw it contained the word ‘seek’, which seems to keep popping up in my readings. Of the many ways I seek to Lord, I know that sometimes just offering simple prayers of adoration and thanks can bring Him closer to me.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Rejoice in His Presence
Scripture: John 20: 19-20
“Then, the same day at the evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assemble, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them , “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.“
Reactions: Today I was rather restless for some reason, and spent a good deal of time reading through the Gospels looking for a passage that spoke to me. If I’m honest with myself, I’ll admit that I was looking for something that would make a good topic for this blog. Some of the passages I read spoke of serving, so that the first will be last, and I felt that this was a reminder to be more humble and less interested making a good impression on others, even if it’s through an anonymous blog. But as I read the various passages, I still didn’t feel at peace, so in the end I looked through my topic index and found a reading under ‘Peace’. This was exactly the scripture I needed, and I reaped some blessed rewards in my meditation:
1) Jesus is Peace. Just thinking about Him, reading His word, picturing Him appear to His disciples brought a great feeling of calm and contentment to me. I felt all anxiety related to my blog and my lengthy, self-imposed ‘To Do’ list just melt away.
2) Just as the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord, I too rejoiced in His presence. I felt He was standing before me, offering me the gifts of His peace and His companionship. This prompted me to offer my own prayers of thanksgiving and praise to Him.
3) In the past few weeks I have imagined going to the room where Jesus was staying when he told me to ‘Come and See’ (John 1: 35-38). Today he entered my home, arriving in the middle of a heavy rainstorm, telling me that He would always come forth there when I need Him.
4) Again I perceived the message that my most important mission at this time is simply to spend time with the Lord. While my other acts of service and discipleship may be pleasing to God, they are secondary to enhancing my own personal relationship with Christ.
“Then, the same day at the evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assemble, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them , “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.“
Reactions: Today I was rather restless for some reason, and spent a good deal of time reading through the Gospels looking for a passage that spoke to me. If I’m honest with myself, I’ll admit that I was looking for something that would make a good topic for this blog. Some of the passages I read spoke of serving, so that the first will be last, and I felt that this was a reminder to be more humble and less interested making a good impression on others, even if it’s through an anonymous blog. But as I read the various passages, I still didn’t feel at peace, so in the end I looked through my topic index and found a reading under ‘Peace’. This was exactly the scripture I needed, and I reaped some blessed rewards in my meditation:
1) Jesus is Peace. Just thinking about Him, reading His word, picturing Him appear to His disciples brought a great feeling of calm and contentment to me. I felt all anxiety related to my blog and my lengthy, self-imposed ‘To Do’ list just melt away.
2) Just as the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord, I too rejoiced in His presence. I felt He was standing before me, offering me the gifts of His peace and His companionship. This prompted me to offer my own prayers of thanksgiving and praise to Him.
3) In the past few weeks I have imagined going to the room where Jesus was staying when he told me to ‘Come and See’ (John 1: 35-38). Today he entered my home, arriving in the middle of a heavy rainstorm, telling me that He would always come forth there when I need Him.
4) Again I perceived the message that my most important mission at this time is simply to spend time with the Lord. While my other acts of service and discipleship may be pleasing to God, they are secondary to enhancing my own personal relationship with Christ.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Be Steadfast and Immovable
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Reactions: Today’s topic was witnessing, which was prompted by a conversation I recently had with an old friend outside of church. Though I usually don’t consider myself much of a witness, I ended up telling Irene, a brand new retiree, about my spiritual journey. We plan to get together in a few weeks so she can learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ignatian Spirituality, both of which intrigued her.
During my prayer session today, I repeated the words “Be steadfast ... abound in the work of the Lord.” I was heartened by the notion that my efforts to bring others to the Christ are not in vain. Though at times they might seem unproductive, I must remain resolute, unwavering, and constant in my endeavors. Just a few days ago I finally got up the courage to speak with our pastor about starting our prayer group, and he was very supportive. Now that I am seeing some progress, I am even more encouraged. Today’s meditation gave me affirmation that I am on the right path.
Another impression I had during my meditation was that it’s important for me to continue posting my reactions to my scripture reading on this blog every day. It’s a good discipline for me, and often times even more revelations are unveiled during the journaling process. In the past I’ve missed praying with scriptures for days at a time, or I prayed but didn’t journal, losing some of the meaning. I find this blog a great tool to keep me on task and grow in my relationship with the Lord.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Reactions: Today’s topic was witnessing, which was prompted by a conversation I recently had with an old friend outside of church. Though I usually don’t consider myself much of a witness, I ended up telling Irene, a brand new retiree, about my spiritual journey. We plan to get together in a few weeks so she can learn more about the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ignatian Spirituality, both of which intrigued her.
During my prayer session today, I repeated the words “Be steadfast ... abound in the work of the Lord.” I was heartened by the notion that my efforts to bring others to the Christ are not in vain. Though at times they might seem unproductive, I must remain resolute, unwavering, and constant in my endeavors. Just a few days ago I finally got up the courage to speak with our pastor about starting our prayer group, and he was very supportive. Now that I am seeing some progress, I am even more encouraged. Today’s meditation gave me affirmation that I am on the right path.
Another impression I had during my meditation was that it’s important for me to continue posting my reactions to my scripture reading on this blog every day. It’s a good discipline for me, and often times even more revelations are unveiled during the journaling process. In the past I’ve missed praying with scriptures for days at a time, or I prayed but didn’t journal, losing some of the meaning. I find this blog a great tool to keep me on task and grow in my relationship with the Lord.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
He Dwells in You
Scripture: John 14:15-17
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Reaction: I decided to re-read one of my favorite passages, one that always makes the presence of God very real to me. Today I focused on four words from this passage, and found my meditation to be very fruitful. Here are my impressions from the four key words:
1) Truth – I have already decided that the main truth for me is that my true and everlasting joy comes from God and not from any earthly source. God’s love is always with me, and that’s all that I need in life.
2) Counselor – The Holy Spirit can help me and counsel me when I need Him. I will call upon Him in times of trouble or indecision to counsel me with wisdom and understanding.
3) Know – I believe that I do know the Spirit, especially since I have been
praying with the scriptures. I thank Him for all the spiritual gifts He has given me, and hope to always have the grace to walk in His ways. I pray I will continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge, which will serve me well as I strive to serve others.
4) Dwell – What a great comfort to know that the Holy Spirit dwells in me. With the Counselor’s presence in me, I am confident in my ability to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Reaction: I decided to re-read one of my favorite passages, one that always makes the presence of God very real to me. Today I focused on four words from this passage, and found my meditation to be very fruitful. Here are my impressions from the four key words:
1) Truth – I have already decided that the main truth for me is that my true and everlasting joy comes from God and not from any earthly source. God’s love is always with me, and that’s all that I need in life.
2) Counselor – The Holy Spirit can help me and counsel me when I need Him. I will call upon Him in times of trouble or indecision to counsel me with wisdom and understanding.
3) Know – I believe that I do know the Spirit, especially since I have been
praying with the scriptures. I thank Him for all the spiritual gifts He has given me, and hope to always have the grace to walk in His ways. I pray I will continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge, which will serve me well as I strive to serve others.
4) Dwell – What a great comfort to know that the Holy Spirit dwells in me. With the Counselor’s presence in me, I am confident in my ability to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Jesus in the Garden
Scripture: John 18:4-8
“So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way."
Reactions: I tried reading a couple of different passages on the kingdom of God, but nothing struck me as relevant for today. So I opened to John’s gospel and started reading, when the word ‘Seek’ jumped out at me. I meditated on the scene in the garden and had the following thoughts.
Reactions:
1) I was feeling a little discouraged today for no good reason. This passage reminded me that I can find Jesus in the upper room where he offers me food, drink, and comfort, or I can seek and find him in the garden of Gethsemane. He is always there for me.
2) Jesus told the soldiers to let the other men go, but He told me to let go of all the things that do not bring me closer to Him. This means temporal concerns that are of little consequence, worries, and doubts. I can let them go and only concentrate on seeking the Lord and His ways.
“So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek?"They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus the Nazarene." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way."
Reactions: I tried reading a couple of different passages on the kingdom of God, but nothing struck me as relevant for today. So I opened to John’s gospel and started reading, when the word ‘Seek’ jumped out at me. I meditated on the scene in the garden and had the following thoughts.
Reactions:
1) I was feeling a little discouraged today for no good reason. This passage reminded me that I can find Jesus in the upper room where he offers me food, drink, and comfort, or I can seek and find him in the garden of Gethsemane. He is always there for me.
2) Jesus told the soldiers to let the other men go, but He told me to let go of all the things that do not bring me closer to Him. This means temporal concerns that are of little consequence, worries, and doubts. I can let them go and only concentrate on seeking the Lord and His ways.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Awaken My Ears
Scripture: Isaiah 50: 4-5
“The Lord … awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.”
Today’s biblical topic was ‘Discipleship’,and the reading focused on hearing and studying God’s word. Not what I expected, but very poignant nonetheless.
I started my meditation with the mantra ‘Awaken my ears to Your word, Oh Lord.’ My reactions:
1) It's important for me to devote enough time to meditation, especially if my mind wanders or I start to doze. I believe the Lord will open my ears and heart to the meaning of His words if I continue to ask and remain willing.
2) I started to paraphrase some of the ‘words’ from the Bible, and felt them to be more meaningful than the usual rote recital. I put the thoughts of the Lord’s Prayer into my own words, as well as the Hail Mary. I also paraphrased one of my favorite passages from John 15: 9 10: “Lord, abide in me and help me to abide in you. Help me to love others as the Father has loved You, and as You have loved me.”
3) I prayed that the Lord will awaken me each day to the sound of His voice, which will guide me and sustain me throughout the day.
4) During my meditation, I got the sense that I should love everyone I meet as a mother loves her child. I will try to take this approach as much as possible. Perhaps this is one way the Lord is opening my ears to a new interpretation of His commandment to love one another.
“The Lord … awakens me morning by morning. He awakens my ear to hear as the learned.”
Today’s biblical topic was ‘Discipleship’,and the reading focused on hearing and studying God’s word. Not what I expected, but very poignant nonetheless.
I started my meditation with the mantra ‘Awaken my ears to Your word, Oh Lord.’ My reactions:
1) It's important for me to devote enough time to meditation, especially if my mind wanders or I start to doze. I believe the Lord will open my ears and heart to the meaning of His words if I continue to ask and remain willing.
2) I started to paraphrase some of the ‘words’ from the Bible, and felt them to be more meaningful than the usual rote recital. I put the thoughts of the Lord’s Prayer into my own words, as well as the Hail Mary. I also paraphrased one of my favorite passages from John 15: 9 10: “Lord, abide in me and help me to abide in you. Help me to love others as the Father has loved You, and as You have loved me.”
3) I prayed that the Lord will awaken me each day to the sound of His voice, which will guide me and sustain me throughout the day.
4) During my meditation, I got the sense that I should love everyone I meet as a mother loves her child. I will try to take this approach as much as possible. Perhaps this is one way the Lord is opening my ears to a new interpretation of His commandment to love one another.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Come and see
Scripture: John 1:35-38
“The next day as John stood there again with two of his disciples, Jesus went past, and John looked towards him and said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God.' And the two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, 'What do you want?' They answered, 'Rabbi' -- which means Teacher -- 'where do you live?' He replied, 'Come and see'; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.”
My Reactions: What first struck me about this text is that the disciples (Andrew and Peter) didn’t answer Jesus’ question. They didn’t say “We want to find the meaning of life” or “We want eternal happiness”, but they answered his question with the question “Where do you live?” Perhaps they didn’t know exactly what they were seeking, but they knew something was lacking. Perhaps they knew that just being with this man would provide them with what they wanted. In any case, Jesus issued this invitation to them, and to me in my meditation: “Come and see.”
So I imagined that I went to the room where Jesus was staying. There we had a wonderful conversation about what it is that I’m seeking. Like the disciples, I know something is lacking, and I know the Lord can provide it, though I’m kind of fuzzy on the details. For now, I know that I desire a deeper personal relationship with my Lord. And that’s what ensued for the next hour or so. I poured out my deepest feelings to Jesus, and felt He was pleased with my openness and my trust. And the response I heard from Jesus was this: That I would always find comfort, direction, and fulfillment when I go to where the Lord is staying and linger there for a while. If I remain in the Lord, He will remain in me.
“The next day as John stood there again with two of his disciples, Jesus went past, and John looked towards him and said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God.' And the two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus. Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, 'What do you want?' They answered, 'Rabbi' -- which means Teacher -- 'where do you live?' He replied, 'Come and see'; so they went and saw where he lived, and stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour.”
My Reactions: What first struck me about this text is that the disciples (Andrew and Peter) didn’t answer Jesus’ question. They didn’t say “We want to find the meaning of life” or “We want eternal happiness”, but they answered his question with the question “Where do you live?” Perhaps they didn’t know exactly what they were seeking, but they knew something was lacking. Perhaps they knew that just being with this man would provide them with what they wanted. In any case, Jesus issued this invitation to them, and to me in my meditation: “Come and see.”
So I imagined that I went to the room where Jesus was staying. There we had a wonderful conversation about what it is that I’m seeking. Like the disciples, I know something is lacking, and I know the Lord can provide it, though I’m kind of fuzzy on the details. For now, I know that I desire a deeper personal relationship with my Lord. And that’s what ensued for the next hour or so. I poured out my deepest feelings to Jesus, and felt He was pleased with my openness and my trust. And the response I heard from Jesus was this: That I would always find comfort, direction, and fulfillment when I go to where the Lord is staying and linger there for a while. If I remain in the Lord, He will remain in me.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Seed Cast Upon the Soil
Scripture: Mark 4: 26-29
“The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows--how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
Reaction: I often use a Biblical topic index to choose my readings based on my thoughts at the moment. Today I selected the topic of ‘Witnessing’ because of my plans to start a prayer group at our church. The first phrase in the reading was ‘The kingdom of God’ – the very topic I’ve been exploring this week!
My reflections led me to think of the seed as my faith in God. As I continue to pray with His Word, I will grow in understanding, knowledge, and discernment. As my wisdom ripens, I will start to bear fruit. This fruit might be the beginning of a prayer group or some other opportunity I haven’t even envisioned. But just as my efforts start with a tiny seed of faith, so will my participation in God’s kingdom continue to grow.
“The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows--how, he himself does not know. The soil produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."
Reaction: I often use a Biblical topic index to choose my readings based on my thoughts at the moment. Today I selected the topic of ‘Witnessing’ because of my plans to start a prayer group at our church. The first phrase in the reading was ‘The kingdom of God’ – the very topic I’ve been exploring this week!
My reflections led me to think of the seed as my faith in God. As I continue to pray with His Word, I will grow in understanding, knowledge, and discernment. As my wisdom ripens, I will start to bear fruit. This fruit might be the beginning of a prayer group or some other opportunity I haven’t even envisioned. But just as my efforts start with a tiny seed of faith, so will my participation in God’s kingdom continue to grow.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Seeking the Kingdom
Scripture: Luke 12:31
“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Reaction: I continued meditating on the theme 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God’ because I feel very drawn to this idea. My impression today was that before I serve as an example to others and experience the profound joy that comes from using my spiritual gifts, I must first take the time learn from others how to live a holy and spirit-filled life. Lynn, my fellow Vincentian, provided a wonderful illustration in her compassion and prayer over one of our clients earlier this week. I can use her, Sister Ellen, and others I encounter as role models. I am also trying to concentrate on becoming more aware, and living in the here and now. I will strive to be open and observant, seeking role models, wisdom, goodness and love wherever I go and in everything I do. No matter what activities I pursue, I feel they can be opportunities for me to receive and learn as well as to give and serve.
“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Reaction: I continued meditating on the theme 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God’ because I feel very drawn to this idea. My impression today was that before I serve as an example to others and experience the profound joy that comes from using my spiritual gifts, I must first take the time learn from others how to live a holy and spirit-filled life. Lynn, my fellow Vincentian, provided a wonderful illustration in her compassion and prayer over one of our clients earlier this week. I can use her, Sister Ellen, and others I encounter as role models. I am also trying to concentrate on becoming more aware, and living in the here and now. I will strive to be open and observant, seeking role models, wisdom, goodness and love wherever I go and in everything I do. No matter what activities I pursue, I feel they can be opportunities for me to receive and learn as well as to give and serve.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Parable of the Rich Fool
Yesterday was a very busy day, so I didn’t have time to select a passage during the day as I usually do. In fact, I was already in bed when I remembered. Since it was late, I simply opened the Bible and began reading, falling immediately to this parable:
Scripture: Luke 12:16-31
"And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, because I have no room where to store my grain?” And he said, “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool, this very night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So it is with he who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If you then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of them. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
My Reactions:
1) This is the same parable that first inspired me to accept my company’s early retirement offer. I have been drawn to it on more than one occasion, so it is quite clear that the Lord wants to get across His message of trust and providence to me.
2) The Lord knows what I need, and he will provide it to me. Just repeating the phrase “I know what you need, and it will be given to you” was very reassuring.
3) I must seek FIRST the kingdom of God. Then after that, all of my needs will be addressed. Though the word ‘first’ wasn't in the text of my particular Bible, it’s in one of my favorite hymns based on this parable, and it was a key word in my meditation. The point is that I must focus foremost on seeking the things of God, not of this world.
4) I must seek the kingdom of God in all that I do: dancing, exercise class (hopefully teaching one!), subbing at the schools, St. Vincent de Paul activities, interacting with family and friends. Since Sister Ellen has suggested that another Vincentian and I start our own prayer group at the parish, I believe this is another opportunity for me to seek God’s kingdom. I must always look for the doors God opens for me (in other words,be aware). Look at the doors He has already opened: the Praying with Scriptures group, the possibility of becoming a fitness instructor, a chance to form our own prayer group. Yes, even the early retirement offer was a door. As I continued to meditate on these verses, I got the feeling that these doors will lead me to help others, to bring them closer to Christ, and to bring me closer to Christ in the process.
Scripture: Luke 12:16-31
"And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, because I have no room where to store my grain?” And he said, “This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool, this very night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided? So it is with he who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
And he said unto his disciples, “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If you then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knows that you have need of them. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
My Reactions:
1) This is the same parable that first inspired me to accept my company’s early retirement offer. I have been drawn to it on more than one occasion, so it is quite clear that the Lord wants to get across His message of trust and providence to me.
2) The Lord knows what I need, and he will provide it to me. Just repeating the phrase “I know what you need, and it will be given to you” was very reassuring.
3) I must seek FIRST the kingdom of God. Then after that, all of my needs will be addressed. Though the word ‘first’ wasn't in the text of my particular Bible, it’s in one of my favorite hymns based on this parable, and it was a key word in my meditation. The point is that I must focus foremost on seeking the things of God, not of this world.
4) I must seek the kingdom of God in all that I do: dancing, exercise class (hopefully teaching one!), subbing at the schools, St. Vincent de Paul activities, interacting with family and friends. Since Sister Ellen has suggested that another Vincentian and I start our own prayer group at the parish, I believe this is another opportunity for me to seek God’s kingdom. I must always look for the doors God opens for me (in other words,be aware). Look at the doors He has already opened: the Praying with Scriptures group, the possibility of becoming a fitness instructor, a chance to form our own prayer group. Yes, even the early retirement offer was a door. As I continued to meditate on these verses, I got the feeling that these doors will lead me to help others, to bring them closer to Christ, and to bring me closer to Christ in the process.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
