W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Yet the seed is always bigger than what it produces. Even the human seed is small. Today I am looking at the mustard seed. He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use? It is like a mustard seed that, when sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” Jesus also stated that the kingdom of God was at hand. So, when I see these verses, I think about how we are co-creators of this world and workers for the kingdom. It makes me ask what my “branches” look like, what “bird” comes to perch on them, and to whom I give shade. I love nature because of how much it can teach us. What kind of branches do birds sit on? Or what kinds of trees do birds make their nests? What type of trees offer the best shade? Do I apply those principles to my life? I...

  The other day, I came home from work and noticed that my autistic granddaughter had lost one of her front teeth. I asked her what happened to her tooth and her response was “Oops.” I turned to my son who told me that they thought she swallowed it. “Oops” for her, is when she thinks she did wrong and was in trouble. I told her not to worry, it would be ok as a new tooth would grow in. At three in the morning, I was awakened by my granddaughter at the side of my bed tugging on my sleeve. She kept asking, “New teeth?” One scripture passage that bothers me is this: Mark 4:24 “He also told them, “Take care what you hear. The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you and still more will be given to you.” I did not exercise the first part of the passage: Take care what you hear. I heard a normal 6-year-old and responded as such. When talking to an autistic child simplicity is best. All I needed to tell her was that she was ok, Oma loves her. Sometimes we measure or judg...

  Morning Path. I drive the same way to work most mornings. It’s a more country path, dark and less traveled. I like this path because it affords me time to pray (I pray the rosary), and at times I am blessed with seeing wildlife, such as deer or turkeys, or even an owl. Sometimes the moon lights my path, and the stars bless me with their brightness. The path is so familiar that last year during a bad storm, in which my car was being pummeled with hail, I was assured of the path. I could tell myself where safe places to pull over were. I didn’t have to deal with lots of other cars, only focusing on the storm. Today’s reading is from Mark. The Sower scattered seeds on different paths.   “Hear this!  A Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, “Mark 4:3-4a This reminded me of my journey in this morning. Life happens but having a familiar path is important. One that allows you to enjoy the beauty and joy around you is desired. A path that allow...

On this Tuesday, I find myself sifting through life. The purpose? Separating those things that need to be put to rest. Lessons learned, to shape me for good. Bad situations are moments to learn from and likewise are good moments. Sifting moments can help one unclutter their mind to allow for focus and energy. As you move on the path it is always helpful to sit on a rock, or bench to take a swig of water and enjoy the path you have been on, reflecting on all, so that you can sit and enjoy the moment. The here and now is important. Tuesday is a good pause day. Tomorrow is midweek; from there, it is downhill to the weekend. So today, pause and reflect on your path. Are you still on the right path? Look at the markers and signs and find the right path even if that means a new one. As I sit at my desk to write this, I enjoy the peacefulness, stillness, and quietness so that I can ponder my path, where I have been, and where I am going. More importantly, I choose to welcome the day and remin...

  The cold and flu season is upon us, and as I write this, I am at work, and I have left those at home sick. No, they aren’t terribly sick, just that winter cold. Yet I am torn. I was fortunate enough to be called as my vocation: marriage. It is a sacrament of service. My husband would be the first to say, no go to work, I’m fine. Yet it tugs at me.   Mark 3:24-26 states: “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him.” I know what you are thinking. How can your husband being sick divide your house? It does divide me. My internal compass of being of service to him. When I am not focused on the role at hand, I am divided. Being divided weakens me. There are times in our lives when we are torn. Yet, we must put things in God’s hands. We must prioritize as God would. My husband will...

I love Sunday mornings. My house is quiet, so in the stillness, I have time to think. Today, I asked myself, what should I share about my faith journey? What about my life’s messy path should I reveal? Being faithful to God doesn’t mean I give up my free will. It doesn’t mean I am a puppet waiting for the puppet master to awaken me and manipulate my strings. No. Obedience and trust in God means I realize there is something more to me. The characteristics of scripture and other followers point to ways of leading my life. Ways that accede any potential I would think possible. I maintain that life is messy. Yet there is so much beauty, joy, and goodness to behold. Even in my deepest agony, when I walk with God, I can find comfort and peace. This week, I have been tired. I get on the scale only to be disappointed. There is no snow, so the landscape looks desolate. I’m at a crossroads, mulling over my next chapter. Life’s weight sometimes weighs you down. This week has been a week. My puppy...

  Today’s reading: Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (USCCB) The gospel is more than about a historical character. It is about love, kindness, and interacting with others that will promote healthy and positive ways. The gospel is a way of life. To proclaim it means I must live it! Each day to proclaim the gospel, means I recommit to living out the Gospel, won’t you join me, on the path….

  Listen. Again, we hear the words to listen. Psalm 85:9 “I will listen for what God, the LORD, has to say; surely, he will speak of peace. To his people and to his faithful. May they not turn to foolishness!” January is almost over, but it isn’t too late to listen to what God has to say. God wants unity. God wants peace. God does not want foolishness. Before February starts, lend your ear to God, listen as God has something for you to hear and do. God has an important job for you because unity and peace are important to be accomplished on the path….  

  My Lord Keeps me in Mind. Psalm 30:18a “Though I am afflicted and poor, my Lord keeps me in mind.” These are words of truth. Words to live by and to have as a mantra: my Lord keeps me in mind. You are a beloved. You are on God’s mind. Know this, keep it close to your heart, and when in doubt, lost or weary repeat them until you believe these words: My Lord keeps me in mind on the path…

  Plotting against me. Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with another person? You realize that all the comments are about the “dirt” on that person. Not a positive word is said. You know how that is, for at one time you have felt the same way: no matter what you do; it won’t be right. Jesus knows, he’s been there and even died due to his persecutors.   Mark 3:6 “The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.” I admit that I’ve been on the side of feeding flames and am ashamed of those actions. I have had to do things others don’t understand, nor do they attempt to find the truth. Assassins and those wanting to tear us down surround us. The point is where do you stand, with the Pharisees or Jesus? When you catch yourself being Pharisaical, take a deep breath and walk away. Don’t throw a stone, perhaps find one positive thing if you can. If you can’t then pray to see as Jesus sees. Know the most important...

  Rest. Who doesn’t need to rest? We all need to slow down at times. Human time is marked as weekdays and weekends. (I sit and write this as I receive an extra day of rest as school is canceled due to the inclement temperatures.) Time. In Genesis time is marked, as God created and said it was good or very good. On the seventh day, God rested. God modeled what humans should do. A day of rest. Mark 2:27:Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, *  not man for the Sabbath,” Today is just a simple note: take time to rest. Take time, with God for the path can be difficult, or easy, but the path needs lemonade stands, waysides, and times of rest. Sit, quiet with yourself, and be with God on the path….

  Making yourself new. When there is joy in our lives, we don’t say: I’ll get over it, or don’t let it define me. No, we pack it away as something to remember. Likewise, when difficulty, disaster, or crisis happens we must learn that we aren’t getting over it or letting it define us. We pack it away as something to remember. We can learn from a terrible boss just as much as from a good one, maybe more. No, we are making ourselves new when we learn this. Mark 2:21 “No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear worsens.” Events, people, and crises will define us. The key is not to give them power over us. The key is to learn from them and draw on them when needed. Let them create a stronger, wisdom-filled person. A piece that has been shrunken. The only mistake, a soul can make, is not to learn, from the chain   of events   it passes through. Jesus teaches us that we must shrink...

  “How does your concern affect me?” One of the oddest phrases in scripture is when Jesus responds to his mother’s request. I have used similar phrases when responding to someone I love. The phrase doesn’t sound nice coming from Jesus, and I am sure it doesn’t sound nice when I use it.   John 2:4 [And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” Jesus, in Greek, the translation would have sounded polite. Jesus is questioning the timing of her comment. Mary doesn’t ask him to do anything, just points out a need. He comments on the timing of the situation. Something, I am sure we have all questioned, is the timing when someone asks something of us. God asks us, and we do question God’s wisdom. I am an introvert, and when I first started the ministry, I questioned God why he would ask me, someone petrified to be in front of people to minister. Yet every challenge I faced; God has provided. Like with Moses, God provided Aaron. When l...

  Follow me! Who would you follow if they said, “Follow me?” When one of my grandchildren grabs my hand, I follow. There are people in my life that I trust to follow. However, do I listen to God’s voice telling me to follow? Mark 2:14 As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” Following God is difficult. It is an everyday event. Like a good marriage, it means I have to listen. Active listening is a skill. Skills take practice, making mistakes and getting up and the tenacity to keep trying. Jesus asks Levi to follow him. Jesus asks all of us to follow, each day and every day. It is up to us to listen. Sometimes we will get it right, sometimes we will ignore it. The point is to keep trying, to build our listening skills on the path…

  “I have never seen anything like this.” That phrase seems to plague the news. The weather, politics, people, etc. seem to bring that phrase. Yet, we are reminded today to find ways God works amongst us and be astounded and glorify God. Mark 2:12 “He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.” Sometimes when I drive to work, usually in the dark, I’ll have deer cross my path. It is a moment I thank God for the beautiful site. Sometimes an owl or eagle will be in my line of site. Again, I will thank God. Sometimes, the drive is easy, or perhaps I miss being in an accident. There are so many times in a day to thank God. Perhaps I’m not as astounded as I should be perhaps, I have taken for granted God working in my life. Today, I am reminded not to take “God” moments for granted. That I should be reminded of the joy and give glory. As we grow older, that “magic” of ...

  Hebrews 3:7-8 “Therefore, as the holy Spirit says: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice,  ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert,” A phrase that I keep in my bank of phrases to recite at certain times is these words today “Harden not your heart.” I will admit that sometimes I get furious at something that has occurred. I want to be irrational, perhaps by cutting a person out of my life; punishing someone; or never doing that activity again. Ah, yes, I want to harden my heart! Yet these words echo in my ears, “Harden not your heart.” Like the words, “The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want,” the words about hardening my heart linger ever in my ear, to pounce at a moment’s notice. They are helpful because I am human and at times, I do get upset. A reminder to show compassion when I’d rather walk away helps me take a deep breath... A reminder is that even if I must walk away, I should do so without a hardened heart. Hav...

  For what purpose have you come? Jesus was clear about his purpose. Mark 1:38-39 “He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee” Jesus is clear about his purpose. He came to preach, and to drive out demons…to heal. It has gotten me to think about knowing one's purpose. I know that I was born because of God, so my first purpose has been one of faith. I was blessed to be married, so I have a purpose as to be a good wife. I was also very blessed by giving birth to children and having grandchildren. I have a purpose for being physically, mentally, emotionally, intellectually, and relationally healthy. I do this through different activities, and assessments (check-ins). My spirituality encompasses all of these, and my purpose of a spiritual self is to be the best possible revealed Christian self. I have a lot of purposes i...

  Our origins. The core of our being belongs to God. This core continues to route our compass towards God. The core also aligns with others of the same core. Like a magnet, people who consecrate themselves to Christ are drawn together. Hebrews 2:11-12 “He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”;” Praise is a form of joy. We rejoice when others find, acknowledge, and live their core: God. One lesson during teaching was to talk about the student's eros: their passions. A student assumed my passion was teaching. He asked why I had worked/volunteered on a fire department if my passion was teaching. I never said my love was teaching. My passion is to talk about and share my best friend with others. Sharing my faith can happen when I am teaching, or being a chaplain, or when I had ridden the rescue squad...

  We start Ordinary time with a reminder: Mark 1:15: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” We will hear these words again on Ash Wednesday as the cross is placed upon our heads. We must remember that we are part of that kingdom of God and are called to do our part in the kingdom. We can build up or tear down the kingdom through our words, actions, and choices . Jesus called us to “come follow” him. When we said yes to that call, we were asked to answer these three things we said yes to: the Kingdom, repenting, and believing in the bible. As we begin our ordinary time, perhaps we can reflect on how our life is a homily to those three. Walking with Christ is walking with a friend. We can share the joys, triumphs, sadness and struggles. We can go to him, ask for forgiveness, and learn how to forgive ourselves. We can go to him and ask for help to be authentic. The walk with Christ, our friend gives our life meaning and pur...

  Luke 3:22-23 “and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.” Those words were spoken to Jesus at his baptism but are also communicated to us. When we strive to be authentic, that is who God created us to be, and open ourselves to doing God’s will, God says to each of us “You are my beloved, with you, I am well pleased.” We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to be rich and famous. We don’t have to be a model or wear all the best. All God asks is to strive to be ourselves and develop and share our gifts and talents. Being ourselves means we ask ourselves is this true to me, or am I listening to others leading me the wrong way? It doesn’t mean we do everything we want. No, God calls us to communion and be in community. What is being authentic? To me, it is being honest with myself and knowing that I will have to be patient with myself, forgive myself, and spend a lifeti...

In the Gospel of John (chapter 3) we have an incident when John and Jesus are on the shores of the Jordan baptizing. Of course, John was there first! His disciples come to John to complain about the situation. John, answers “No one receives anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourself can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.” John first establishes the difference between himself and Jesus, but more importantly, he knows each of their roles and does not try to be something he is not. He next states: “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” (John3:22-30). Wow, a true leader. True leaders know they must train their successors. It’s not all about them, but the big picture. We are each given roles and called to train our successors. Successors may be children, s...

  Have you ever gone to God and said, “God I need you to do this for me!” or “God, only you can make this happen.” Today, I am taking a passage from Luke 5. In this passage, we find a man with leprosy. In Jesus’ time, it separated you from family, friends, and community. Upon seeing Jesus, the leopard doesn’t demand Jesus to heal him, instead, he asks him to heal him in a most unusual way. Luke 5:12 states:   “Now there was a man full of leprosy *  in one of the towns where he was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” If you wish, are his words. More importantly, his faith shows by the simple words, “you can.” It is hard to surrender ourselves to anyone and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. I'm am a person who has to be in control of my life, so this vulnerability is a painful act. Yet, the man with leprosy had nothing to lose. His faith in Jesus allowed him to surrender so that the will of God m...

  On the Twelfth Day   Order. This Christmas break I have spent some time cleaning closets. Putting order to some areas that need order to happen. I still have a way to go, but I enjoy having items in order. Believe it or not, having order in some areas of my life helps me to be more spontaneous in other areas. Having structure and boundaries helps to provide safe ways to walk and play on a clean path. Our faith also has order as we hear in today’s scripture passages. Ephesians 1:22-23 states “And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” Perhaps in our rush to get ready for Christmas, we haven’t put everything in order. Today do a quick check to make sure all is in order on the path…

  On the Eleventh Day Today, just sit and listen to these words of Ephesians (1:18-21): “May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones,   and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, for above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is names not only in this age but also in the one to come.” May these words guide you today on the path….

  On the Tenth Day The line tugs, then tugs again and you feel what you have been waiting for: the joy of a fish on the line. I would say, as I must confess, I am not the best fisherperson. Setting the hook can be a problem for me. However, it is called fishing, not catching so I relish the joy of when I land a fish. Being on the lake or standing on the water's edge and trying different lures or live bait is therapeutic. I rejoice with others who are fishing when they catch something. I give thanks for the daily catch. I even give thanks when there wasn’t a catch because having the opportunity to be out fishing is a joy in and of itself. This comradery and joy are found, also in Ephesians. Ephesians 1:15-17 states: “Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revela...

  On the Ninth Day Hearing words of truth can be hard. Sometimes they make us take a hard look at ourselves. It can be less than comfortable. Yet I find that listening to hear the truth around me can be even more difficult. Where can I find the truth? Some may say that the truth is subjective. Sometimes the voice in my head is not telling me the truth. I believe that one place I can find truth in is the Scripture. Ephesians 1:13-14 ensures me this: “in him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.” Being sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit is being sealed with the truths Scripture offers. Why does that matter? Because truth can provide us with the best possible life ever, on the path….

  I like to watch the sunrise, especially when I'm in Minnesota. A cup of java, sitting facing the waters waiting for the first peeks of light. Grateful for the moments. My life should be my praise of God. God’s glory is found in my joy of his creation. I praise God when I am patient, kind, not rude or boastful. Just look in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for many of the qualities. In Ephesians 1:11-12 we find that we are created to praise God. “In him, we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” Our actions; our words; our thoughts; etc testify to the kind of person we are. The kind of person we are is how we praise God.   Advent was the time of preparation for Christmas. We need the time to unclutter, organize, and get ready to be filled with Christmas joy, love, peace, and hope. These help us to praise God throu...

  On the Seventh Day God’s plan, God’s will…why spend so much time on them? In Ephesians, this is the case. However, there is comfort to be found in the fact that God’s plan is simply to walk with us. Ephesians 10:10 “he has made know to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as plan for the fullness of times, to sum up, all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.” (The Catholic Study Bible, 1990)   Christ came into the world as all humans do. Christ was born. A student asked: “Would it have mattered if Christ wasn’t born in a stable?”   I ask you; would it matter that Christ’s birth wasn’t in a manger? I think there is something full circle about Christ being born amongst God’s creation of animals. I think it is profound that people’s response to a pregnant woman about to give birth is that there was no room in the inn. The scenario could have been different, but the points would be the same. We are called to care for God’s creat...

  Are you doing God’s will? What does it matter? I tell my students that I won’t lie to them, they can have a good life without God. They could have a better life with God in their lives most of the time. But we can have the best ride ever with God in our lives all of the time. In Ephesians we continue with: “that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, “he has made know to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him” (Ephesians 1:8)  (The Catholic Study Bible, 1990) So what is God’s will? God loves us so much that God wants to be part of the human experience and walk with us, knowing our pain as a human, and knowing our joy as a human. We just witnessed the birth of Christ, the will of God to walk with us. Won’t you take God’s hand today and walk with him? If you are already walking with God, perhaps you can turn to God and remind him that you love God, and are grateful, and humbled t...

  Today I am reminded of “In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.” (Ephesians 1:7) This passage reminds me that my life has hope, it has love, it has kindness and faith. Mostly, it reminds me in 2025 that forgiveness is the biggest action to knowing Christ. As humans, it is hard to forgive, and let go of injustices, hurts, and anger, yet Christ does this for me when I am penitent. God hasn’t given up on me in all my humanness, shortcomings, failings, and wrongdoings. I am called to be Christlike towards others by doing the same. My husband and I started a spontaneity box. We put in activities we enjoy, and many new ones we haven’t gotten around to. Why? To maximize our time, enjoy each other’s company, and go beyond our comfort zones. One item not in the box, but that I hope to practice in 2025 is forgiveness. This means I am dedicating myself to not being judgmental and seeing the w...