W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Having a Christmas Season is wonderful. Not just one day on the calendar, but a whole season. We have gone through the Advent preparation period. Ushered in the Christmas time and now going through the season. Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. What do these mean to you? We have a solid example of these in conjunction with Christ through God’s love for us. I continue our reading of Ephesians and am reminded of these four. Ephesians 1:3-6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love, he destined us for adoption to Himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.” As we journey today, be filled with the Christmas season, cherish it, relish it, and put it in a place you can draw from, on the path…. The ...

  Ephesians 1:1-2 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are [in Ephesus] faithful in Christ Jesus:” grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul starts his letters with items. First, we know the letter is from Paul. Paul tells us who he is, “an apostle of Christ Jesus.” Paul also states who the letter is for. He then gives a blessing. Communication is important. I teach my students to address God when praying. God needs to know you are speaking to God. Grab God’s attention! Names are important. I was reminded of this when a colleague asked if I knew his name. He did this because when I said “Hello” I never addressed him. I spend time learning names. Using them is to give the addressed a sense of familiarity. They also know you are talking to them. A person’s name is personal. Paul reminds us that it is important to let people know who we are and to address them by name. Paul also reminds us to bless them! Communica...

  On the Second Day of Christmas   Today’s Gospel reading comes from Jn 20:1a and 2-8 . In these verses, Mary Magdalene runs to tell the apostles someone has taken the Lord. We might expect to find this reading after Easter. However, when placed here it is a reminder for us: Have you seen the Lord? Last night, with my daughter, son-in-law, husband, and granddaughter, we went to see Jellystone lights. My granddaughter's response reminded me of how I should walk through my day seeing the light of Christ. Her response: WOW! Magdalene could not see the Christ and thought someone had taken him. Yet, Christ is always present. As we walk through our day, we are reminded that Christ is present, and we can see the light, we just need to be present to the light. May we go through our day, as we would a Christmas light show. That is being in awe and wonder at the presence of the light on the path….

  Ah, today you exhale as you make it through another Christmas. Yet the Christmas season isn’t over. The Christmas season is celebrated through the baptism of Christ. (January 12 th ) Throughout history, there have been different dates and times when the Christmas season ends. One is Candlemas celebrated in February. However, the point is that Christmas isn’t over! As we celebrate the joy, peace, hope, and love found in Christmas we begin with this scripture passage:   Psalm 31:2-4 states: “In you, LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me; incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me.” Look for, find, like you would where’s Waldo, hope today. Find joy! Find peace and above all find and rejoice in love on the path….

As I envision myself kneeling before the baby Christ, wondering what gift I can give I realize that my gift is this:    I say yes to Christmas, not Xmas, not Happy Holidays, but Christmas blessings. When I say yes to Christmas I say: Yes, to courage , not to fear Yes, to trust , no to lack of confidence Yes, to hope , no to despair Yes, to faith , no to unbelief Yes, to joy , no to negativity Yes, to kindness, no to indifference Yes, to peace , and not to be a critical or a cynical person The list goes on, but when I say yes to Christmas, I say yes to living and being a person worthy of Christ. My yes means there are things I say no when I kneel before the Christ child on the path….

 Christmas Eve Before the year expires, we are reminded to reflect on it. Christmas allows us to do this through the lens of faith. The light through the darkest times, the joy felt, and the kindness shown and given are all ways Christ was walking with us. Seeing through God's eyes reminds us of the beauty, the goodness, and what is really important in life. I leave you with this Christmas poem: The star of wonder, that shines the way Reminding one of Christmas day Not just another day, no, not just a calendar date But a way of life, a personal childlike state Of walking with the Christ child, in order to shatter any hate All year long, a Christmas heart to be God's hands and feet, God's voice and guide for others to meet Making a faith life as a child; for Christmas is good news so, I choose to walk the path with God and you!

  Service. Mary, today in the readings goes to visit and help Elizabeth. Mary said yes. Through her yes Christ was conceived in her. Once she carried the conception of Christ, her first act was to go to Elizabeth. When we say yes to God, Christ is conceived in us, and our first act should be one of service. Christ is a servant leader. He teaches us the importance of being there for others. Once we serve, and as we serve, Christ is born in the midst. Christ, after all, did say: “that when two or more are gathered you will find him.” When a yes is said, service is done we find Christ is born. A community is better for our acts of kindness, our care, and the ways we interact with each other through our yes. Advent is a time or reminder of our place in the community and how we can serve on the path….

  Happy Friday! Today students finish their exams and go on to their winter break. This is a happy Friday. Our reading today comes from Luke 1:37-38. It states, “for nothing will be impossible for God.”   Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” Again, those words “for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary trusted in this and said yes to what was asked of her. Her “yes” changed the world. Sometimes I think her yes has become commonplace. We might think of course she said yes, she is Mary. Saints are treated this way at times. Of course, they said yes… but they ALL were ordinary people like you and me. They ALL could have said no. I don’t think they set out to be saints. For me, their example reminds me that I am called to say “yes” many times. It is in all those “yes’s” that I can serve others. I can reach my potential and become who I truly am created to be, through these “yes’s”. ...

 12/13 John the Baptist’s conception and birth were a miracle. Today we are reminded of this miracle. During Advent, we are reminded how through God all things are possible. John had a purpose and fulfilled that purpose by paving the way for Christ. I think often of John because, like John, we each are called to pave the way for Christ. John did so by telling people to repent. As I pause today, I think of things I have yet to repent. Repentance humbles me and clears out the “junk” or debris in the path toward a deeper relationship with God. I want this deeper relationship because I want to spend my time using my gifts, talents, love, and joy to the fullest. I share this with you because faith carries me when I cannot bring myself. Live is messy. In the messiness, we must navigate a path that sometimes is unbearable. Yet, if we listen to John, we repent (humble ourselves), and clear the path, we find the strength to continue. For it is Faith that is my companion on the path….

 12/18 Today’s reading is from Matthew, and it tells us about Joseph. The ripple effect of Mary’s yes far reached her life. Her yes was a yes for humanity. Her “yes” also affected her family. Joseph felt this ripple as he had to choose what to do with Mary, and her growing yes. Our yes to faith does have ripple effects. Sometimes we are faced with hard choices like Joseph. We won’t always have angels coming to us in dreams, but trust me when I say, we will have God supporting us and giving us the wisdom to make the right choices. Stay strong in faith, read scripture, circle with faith-filled people, and trust God will support you, guide you, and walk with you so you can continue living your yes, on the path….

 12/17 Today our gospel reading is the genealogy of Jesus. I will admit, I love knowing about my family's history. I am very proud of my family members who have served in the military. I am very proud of those who dedicated their lives as first responders. I am proud of the seamstresses, tailors, musicians, and great storytellers. My children are amazing! Many family members live their lives the best they can, but to me, they are superheroes. There is no ordinary journey, only journeys with extraordinary people fighting the good fight day in and day out. My family tree has many branches, and some fallen leaves, but it is a beautiful tree. Today we get to reflect on our family tree, past, present, and future. Trees that are full of possibilities with new branches, new leaves, and fallen leaves provide nutrition for the growth of the family tree. So, sit under the tree, thank God for all the tree holds, and know you are part of something on the path…

  Monday 12/16 Matthew 21:23 “When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? *  And who gave you this authority?” Has anyone ever challenged you the way Jesus is being challenged today in this scripture passage? What is at the heart of challenging? Is it suspicion? Lack of trust? Ego? I cannot say I have never challenged someone’s authority. In today’s world, we need to look at where people draw their authority from and for what purpose they exert it. Most authorities are there to harbor safe boundaries and protect each of us. God’s word teaches us of his love as authority for us to reach our potential, and to have a deep relationship with God. Advent is a time to accept God’s love wanting to be in relation with us, walk with us, on the path, and know the human experience on the path…

  Today’s second reading comes from Philippians 4:4-7. “ Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday. The vestments are pink, the candle is pink and it is a reminder to rejoice and to be full of JOY! When I think of the things that make me joyful, they are not necessarily material items. Family and friends close by are an avenue to joy! I feel blessed that God allows me to write for him. I feel joyful when people read what I write! This summer, my husband made a shelter for my prayer grotto, so candles stay lit. I have a statue of Guadeloupe, driftwood, rocks from places I’ve been, and candles. I write the names of those who...

 12/13 Today I stray from biblical readings. The Alleluia and refrain are worth reflecting on: “Alleluia, alleluia.   The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace. Alleluia, alleluia.” How do you go out to meet the prince of peace? Are you rushing out to invite him in? From the window, not wanting him to see you? How? How do you go out to meet him? This Christmas we will all meet him. In the lights and displays; in family and strangers; through scripture and kind acts. How do we meet these? Do we look for Christ, and rejoice in the seeing, the believing? Sometimes, look in the mirror and rejoice in the creation God has created. We are all rough diamonds. Yet we can sparkle even if our facets are not completed. Rejoice in you and rejoice in God. Babes are innocent, vulnerable, and in need of others. Like ourselves, we welcome the babe in ourselves and the Christ babe, whether rushing out, or walking to him on the path….

  Today’s readings state: “for nothing will be impossible for God.” (Luke 1:37) Advent is a time to believe that for God there really isn’t anything impossible. This is hard for me. Why? I admit, at times I have trust issues. For me to be vulnerable to God, laying it out there and trusting that God will fix what is broken, mend what is hurting, forgive what needs to be forgiven… this is hard. Yet it is in this that we will find hope, peace, joy, and love for Christmas. Sit with God, cry your eyes out, get mad at God, shake your fists, and unburden all…why? To open ourselves to trust that nothing will be impossible this Advent on the path…

  Today Jesus reminds us that if we follow his way, he will shoulder our burdens. More importantly, his ways can help us to have a healthier and enriched life. Jesus for me teaches me that kindness goes a long way. His yoke is his teachings and his fellowship. We must say no to harmful things that distract and destroy us. Why? Because he knows they will pull us away from him. He knows they will harm us. Jesus wants to feed us; to care for us; to walk with us; so that we can have an amazing life on the path….

  12/10 On the Path…. Are you called to protect sheep? In today’s Gospel reading Jesus poses a question to the apostles: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?” (Matthew 18:12) We know that Jesus is showing them that he will search for the lost. Jesus also will send helpers to search and bring the lost back into the fold. However, Jesus asks for the apostle's opinion. This got me to think, what about the 99 that are found? I believe Jesus is letting them figure out that some will use their gifts and talents to find the lost, yet others will need to “feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, and feed my sheep.” During Advent, we are reminded that we are called to either find lost sheep or feed the lambs and sheep. We do this in many ways, but since Jesus poses the question, I think he is reminding us that he has shown us how to care for the world and its population...

  On the Path~ Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary During Advent, we are reminded of miracles. The Immaculate Conception is one. Miracles. The true meaning of Christmas is love so great that it transcends understanding. God wants to be so close to us, that God becomes one of us. Let me put it this way, if I said to God, “God, I’m hungry? God provides food. But then Jesus says, “I know what it is like my followers, and I walked from village to village and didn’t always know when our next meal would be. Once, we walked through a field where we were permitted to eat grain heads. Of course, the Pharisees complained…but that is another story. I might say, “God, do you know what it's like to teach high school students?” God might reply, “I have your back” but Jesus might say, “I do, once I was preaching from a boat. The crowd was restless, the shepherds brought their sheep, and a guy was trying to sell fish on a stick (ok, that didn’t happen), but yeah, I ...

  On the Path~ Second Sunday of Advent: Peace In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about John the Baptist. “He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Luke 3:3-4 John the Baptist prepared hearts to receive the coming Lord. He did so by bringing peace through people repenting for their sins. By emptying themselves of past mistakes, and times they missed the mark, their hearts were at peace and now open for Christ. Today, I reflect on places I need to repent, and how I need to make peace, so I can receive Christ. I also must reflect on how I forgive, and how I am “a voice of one crying out in the desert” to help others so they too can find peace and be open to Christ’s presence on the path… I hear people saying, "Life is too short not to make amend...

  December 7 ~ St. Ambrose On this day of Advent, we hear these words from Isaiah: “The Lord will give you bread in adversity and water in affliction. No longer will your Teacher *  hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you turn to the right or the left.” (Isaiah 30:20-21) In the Gospel Reading ( Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8 ) Jesus sends the Apostles out to be with the people healing and bringing all that he has taught to them. Advent, like our readings, is a time of doing. Preparing, waiting in anticipation, but as we wait, we do. We bring comfort to those in need, we heal wounds, and we clear out anything that prevents us from filling our hearts and others with the joy, peace, and love of Christ’s birth. We also take time to receive ‘receive the bread in adversity and water in affliction.” That is, we take time to feed ourselves and remind ourselves we also need to repair a...

On the path  Happy St. Nicholas Day! Today in the gospel, Jesus passes two blind men. They want their sight restored, so Jesus asks them if they believe. They say they believe, and their sight is restored. Easy right? I'm not sure. Search your heart for your belief. Is it full of cultural visions of what love is? What is belief and how is that tied to Christmas love. St. Nick gave so that poor girls could marry and not fall into a life of prostitution. He saw a need, moved with compassion, and found an answer to rectifying the problem. I think of the family, when their prayers had been answered, and their daughters could remain respectable and have a chance at a good life. The joy, love, and affirmation of their faith. I keep my Christmas angels up all year round. They remind me every day to use my restored sight to see a place where I can "see a need, fill a need." We are each, uniquely created by God. We each have God within us, a unique part of God that only we have. T...

 On the Path- December 4th In today's gospel reading, we find Jesus showing compassion on those who had traveled with him for 3 days. He did not want to send them away hungry. No, he wanted to give them food for the journey. Today, I am struck by this. When I go to Jesus and spend time with him, he shows compassion and gives me food to sustain me as I continue the journey. When we go to Mass, we are given food for the journey, but when I sit and pray with Jesus? Today's readings tell me that yes, even when I come with only a loaf and a fish, he will multiply that to be enough for me to be full so I can continue the travel. Why do we find this reading at the beginning of Advent? To remind each of us that Jesus will listen to us, heal us, and provide sustenance for the journey so we can continue on our Advent path...

 On the Path... "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see." A verse from today's Gospel is found in Luke 10:21-24. I know Jesus was telling the Apostles they were blessed, but it got me thinking about Jesus. Were his eyes blessed for what he saw? If so, then what do I need to have my eyes see the blessedness of this world? When I look out at my students do I see their blessedness? Let me be honest, at times NO! Sometimes, my eyes are critical and see only the dirt, negativity, and darkness. So, what is the balance? How do we see the light but also acknowledge the negative? We must dust off the dirt or darkness to reveal what is underneath. Right now, at school, it is very stressful. Finals loom, last projects, and delinquent assignments all must be turned in as the no-turning-back dates swiftly come. Stress is a flag, like anger that something is wrong. Finding the sources can provide ways of navigating or mitigating the stream of darkness. Advent is a time of preparati...

 Advent 2024 Outside the air temperature takes your breath away. The cold air settles and brings a stillness to nature. As churches prepare for Advent, the first flames are lit up on the Advent wreath. A shining light through darkness, but also a flame of warmth as the cold blankets the earth. Hope for all those dreading winter. Hope for all who are sick. Hope for all those struggling. Hope because a baby was born that changed the world, and we wait for the second coming. I personally love the Psalms. Today's Psalm 25 reminds me of where my hope comes from. "To you O Lord, I lift my soul." When I do this, I ask God to teach me and guide me on this path journey. Each year I am reminded of the babe that was born in a manger that gives hope to this world still. I prepare to celebrate the love of any new child by preparing my home and my heart. The instructions of God's words help me to create boundaries on my path.  Taking care of a newborn is demanding. Taking care of o...

  Catching Fireflies   “Remember how I said we must have played in heaven? I feel like this is one of those times when I want you to go out and catch fireflies with me, but you say you’re too old for kid stuff and all you want to do is stay in your room and lay on your bed and toss your football in the air. The point? You are never too old to catch fireflies. To my best friend, I pray that you may never outgrow catching fireflies     ~One~ Matthew 6:34 “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”   I really don’t know when I started catching fireflies. I know it was early. I grew up in a rural area and in the summer twilight, the grass would light up with flickers of light. My mom saved mayonnaise jars and lids for us to catch bugs in. If not, she always had canning jars and lids for us. There were two rules to catching bugs. First, you had to have holes in the top lid and second, you had to let anything caught g...

  An Angel in the Operating Room             Working at a Catholic school, you meet all sorts of people. One special person was the school secretary. The secretary was loved by everyone as she was positive and cared for all. She took the time to remember everyone’s birthdays, and if students didn’t have a meal, she would help to make sure they had a meal. This special lady gave joy to all who encountered her.             The woman was cheerful even though her husband had heart issues. There came a point when her husband needed a heart transplant. His name was put on the prayer list, and the school prayed for the family. The woman came to work every day because her husband could not work. Even though she had her own difficulties she remained positive. Time went on, and prayers continued to be prayed. The schoolchildren would not forget Mrs. Pfeiffer and her husband. Th...