W.I.S.E. Bible Study

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 I have posters hanging in my classroom designed by my students. They are on the Gospel of Mark. They have a scripture passage, a Catholic Social Teaching point that a current day organization lives out the message of standing up for the poor, needy and marginalized. We discussed many of the same points in the Gospel of Matthew, and now we are in the Gospel of Luke doing the same. The beauty of Luke is his sense of equality. He has a balance of gender and treatment of people. This Lenten journey is looking at how we use our voice. It is about balance with our actions and voices. Do we tear down or build up? Do we create tension or a safe place? This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced: 1. Become aware of God’s presence. 2. Review the day with gratitude. 3. Pay attention to your...

Yesterday it rained, it snowed, it rained, and it snowed. The weather, which is typical of Wisconsin spring reminded me of being indecisive. James 1:8 states “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Indecisiveness. I can be indecisive at times. I admit it. Yet, the scripture for me is pointing to one who follows Christ, but at times does not. There is no room for indecision when claiming to be a Christian. You must be all in. That is right, ask yourself are you all in? Today remove those areas in your life where you know you are not all in with God on the path…

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training n righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 My drive in today was quiet. I listened, but, only stillness. I never worry about stillness, or quietness, for I know the whisper is there. Yesterday was 73 degrees out. I went out and worked up my container gardens. I still need to get a few things before I plant my first seeds of snow peas and kale, but it was nice to be outside and working the earth. I don’t grow a lot, mostly flowers. The reason is because I love farmer’s markets. Gray skies, out my window remind me that like can be gray but through it I know I bring the light, I find the light in Scripture, and whispers are there and seasons, well in Wisconsin seasons are fluid on the path…

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 In Wisconsin, March weather is a tease. We feel the warm winds of spring and summer, and we feel the bite of winter lingering. It is a transition. Yet I cannot help but think how like March in Wisconsin, so is my Lenten journey. It is a struggle to cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Some days I am successful, and others, old ways creep back into the picture. The more I push through, like spring it will eventually come that my heart is cleansed and my spirit is renewed. Lent is not a one- or two-day journey. It is several weeks. I am thankful for the time and opportunity to cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Like buds on trees, and greenery pushing through the cold earth, I too can catch glimpses of Lenten renewal on the path…

  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”  – Isaiah 43:2 A Lenten challenge to myself has been to study the book of Isaiah. The theme is for a person to trust in God, not in leaders, wealth, or themselves. So many of the verses speak to the world today. The book of Isaiah has many verses warning those who trust in their power, their wealth, or leaders who oppress. As I listen for the whisper, I am reminded to turn towards God. When I wrote my dissertation, I used the verse Isaiah 43:2. This verse reminds a person of the power of God. Trust. Trust in God. Difficulties come and go. The whisper is simply: trust in God. So, on this Sunday morning, I pray that I let go of my human instinct to control and instead pray when I feel the need to control my situation; when I think I know better than God. I trust ...

 Last weekend, I pruned my fruit trees. Showers last night and early morning gave me the itch to think of gardening. “I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.” Ecclesiastes 2:5. Last fall, I scattered many wildflower seeds and sunflower seeds. Anticipation. Today is a good day to start planning my gardens. Planning is the hope of the future. Whispers of hope sprang forth in the Lenten season. Hope of resurrection, hope of forgiveness, hope of …. Spend a moment in thankfulness and daydream… hope of things to come on the path…