W.I.S.E. Bible Study

I am encouraged by all the social media that speaks of faith. As one who taught world religions, I find expressions of true faith pleasing. My students found that one core thread through all religions was kindness. I think that points to a core human need. We need kindness in this world. With so many having this core, it is a wonder that we still have division in the world. Jude speaks of this. “But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life”.  Jude 1:17-21. Jude expresses the importance of the Holy Spirit. Today, continue to r...

Walking with God. As I have mentioned before, summer is a time for me when my routine changes. No longer is my alarm set. Yet every day is a day to walk with God. My husband and I have been making changes to my Marion grotto. I will admit I am a little sore. I was fortunate that my dad had plants, and my husband’s cousin has a piece of a rose from my husband's grandma. I love the fact that my plants are from loved ones, as it reminds me of their love and support. Collecting rocks along the water is a meditative time. I use the rocks to write names I am praying for on them. The walk with God each day includes prayer time, listening to the Mass, and praying the rosary. Colossians 2:6 states– “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” Walking with God is a daily, ongoing process of living in Christ.” Living my life in him also includes the choices I make. What am I filling my mind with? Who do I choose to hang out with? Am I using my gif...

 Everyone has a gift. It might be your smile. It might be your organizational skills. It might be your leadership style. Some people have the gift of always being positive or seeing the best in any situation, good or bad. Today, I want you to think about the blessing you are. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10. One of the greatest things we possess is to remember we are children of God, we are loved, and we are worthy. You are counted amongst HIS children for whom He is proud. No, we might not always make the best choices, perhaps our lives are a mess… but you are still His, loved and worthy. Think of your gifts and extend them to others today on the path….

One thing I love doing is research. There is something about digging in books and finding the treasure you are looking for. The act of manual research provides me with more knowledge than I started digging for, and sometimes leads me down a different direction than I thought possible. Reading scripture reminds me that faith is the way I live, and not just reading documents. “For we live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7. I spend a lot of time reading scripture and other religious documents. They do help to affirm my faith, but I know it isn’t in what I see as much as what my heart is filled with. I live out that love through actions, words, and deeds. You won’t find any of that on Google. Take time to read today. The Pope has asked us to reread the Vatican II documents, and he has written a new encyclical. These documents help us to live our faith, and we will also find the treasures through these documents that God has hidden on the path… 

 Trusting in God helps us to build trust in humanity. Trust is hard for me, and it does take time. First, trusting a person enough to let them into my life is hard for me. Second, trusting enough to share and let another have access to my thoughts, emotions, and feelings is equally hard. Trust has a lot of components. Isaiah 26:3 states, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust you.” I would pray I am a trustworthy person for others. I know I have let others down at times, and pray for their forgiveness. But isn't that part of trust? Learning to let others make mistakes, forgive and use it to strengthen trust. Today is a good day to acknowledge your trust in God. When done, list those you trust or what areas you need to work on so that you can trust in each other on the path….

 Today is Pentecost. Although the reading I picked is lengthy, it is worthy of the time. The point of the Holy Spirit is to guide us, protect us, and walk with us. The Holy Spirit doesn’t give us superhuman strength but gifts from God to navigate our lives. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: “   There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.   Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,    to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to...

 For a teacher, summer means a new routine. As I woke up this morning, I thought about new routines, but for me, it means it doesn’t change in August. There are certain things I did in my morning routine that I am now placing into an everyday routine. On the way to work, I listened to and prayed the Mass. This was a quiet time to also pray the rosary. I enjoyed the early-morning wildlife, too. I’m working on my Marian grotto and hope to get a bench or chair in there when it’s done. A quiet morning prayer area. I continue to light candles and write people's names on rocks and driftwood. If you are in need of prayers, reach out and I will add you or a loved one to the prayer list. This scripture verse will help me to create new routines: “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14) As you carve out your day, know that routines are important, but so is rest on the path….

Today, the word that comes to mind is wonder. Yes, wonder. “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” Job 37:14 Pause. Reflect on God’s wonders today. God says, “Go and multiply” our gifts, our talents, and love for others. God says to have dominion over that is to care for those gifts, talents, others, and the earth. God says to subdue the world that is to create, get messy, make mistakes, and learn from them. Make the world a better place than you found it. Wonder. Wonder that God gave us free will. Wonder that God asks us, us-humans to be part of the evolution of the world and others. Yes, there is a lot of wonder. Wonder that God loves each of us in our messiness to lay down his life, so we have life. Today, stop and consider God’s wonders on the path… 

 “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall one will lift up his fellow,” showing the practical support friends provide.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 Some marry their best friend. Some have friends at work, or other family members. Regardless, friendship is important. Tomorrow is my last day at work. I started teaching religious education at 16 and have worked for the church in a variety of roles since then. About 48 years, and I don’t feel I’m done, just changing venues. Today, I reflect on all the friends I have made along the way. Friends that I know I will keep in touch with no matter where I go or what I do. Friends are an important part of life. This morning, reflect and pray for those friends who walk with you, support you, and have your six, on the path….

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2 To my readers, may these words of scripture fill you with hope and promise as light fills the day. I find it help to start my day with prayer and list the things I am grateful for. Yes there will be messiness in the day but hope, faith, gratefulness will sustain as they surround me with love…positive energy. Start your morning with that favorite drink list all the good, even if it’s that you have another day, clean slate…ok go start drawing on your slate make it colorful and don’t forget to add HIS presence on the path…

  John 16:33 “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Yesterday was the first time at the beer garden this summer. Opening weekend. Even though I had water, it was about gathering with friends. As I head to work this morning, I pray for my students. There are more lessons to be learned than a grade on a paper. Courage to do the right thing, for instance. Finding peace when your grade isn’t where you wanted it. Holding yourself accountable by being honest that late assignments and rushed work were on you, not the teacher. Take courage, Jesus conquered the world, and you will find peace in knowing Jesus, his ways, and applying them to your life. Trouble is something to reflect on. What is my part, what is the outcome I want, and is there a way that this trouble can point to His glory? Today know Him and know peace. As you do your walk-about find ways to take courage, hold yourself acc...

    Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.    As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16) What does it mean to be Holy? For me, it means to be surrounded by the glory of God. I find this in nature. Look at God’s creation. The variety of plants, animals, birds, and landscapes. I think these all reveal God’s holiness. I think being holy is being blessed. Being blessed for me is seeing God in all, whether good times or bad. If you flip the word evil you get the word live. To live is to be blessed, holy, and see the hand of God in the world. Evil is the absence of God… it is only what a person thinks, feels, can obtain… it is not about a truly bonded, ...

 Each day starts with this: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13. Forgiveness goes a long way; it is one of the essentials to relationships. My school year is coming to a close as next week is half days of finals and graduation. New beginnings for a lot of students and some staff. No matter what a person does or where a person goes, learning to bear with each other and forgive is the soil of growth. Being honest enough to communicate a grievance is fertilizer to a relationship and helps it to maintain its pH balance. I don’t think a person can truly heal without forgiveness. Sometimes the biggest culprit is ourselves. Learning to forgive ourselves, love ourselves, and be kind to ourselves is a habit that helps us to be compassionate to others. Today, bear with each other and if forgiveness is needed, mend the fences on the path…

Driving in to work, I was graced with seeing turkeys and having an eagle fly with me. I was thinking about how to act and live as a daughter of God. The school year is almost over. Friday is last day of classes, and next week four half days for testing. For me, it is important to not have the “checked out” attitude. Each day I must remember Ephesians 4:2-3 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Peace is an intentional action each day. It requires commitment and knowing that being humble and gentle, patient and bearing each others day requires some self sacrifice. Peace is not easy, but can be obtained, yet each of us needs to do our part. Today, recommit yourself to peace, live for peace through humbleness, being gentle and patient. Know that there is no I in peace, no, it requires that we walk in each other’s shoes bearing bearing each others worries, anxieties, strug...

This weekend was busy. The family celebrated my dad’s 85 th birthday. Of course, Sunday was Mother’s Day. This morning I was thinking about how the busyness of life can engulf a person and they forget about time with God. The apostles knew that at some point Jesus would be going to the Father. They knew they would be left on their own. Yet Jesus states he only goes so the advocate can do His work. Jesus knows how life unfolds and how easy it is to be sucked into worldly things. Jesus talks to his apostles reassuring them of the advocate. He ends with “I have told you this so that you may not fall away.” (John 16:1) Today’s readings are a reminder to include the Holy Spirit in your life, so that the world does not become our focus, our worries, our goal. Hear is a Holy Spirit prayer from St. Augustine: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Stre...

  The Priest at mass today mentioned how the 4 th commandment is the key pin between the first three commandments that talk about God and the rest that talk about loving actions towards each other. Honor thy father and mother is key because to love, we must know love. We are not talking about hallmark love, that butterfly feeling, but the deep commitment of love, no matter what. There is love of parents who love unconditionally, no matter how difficult raising their child is. I have been blessed with a family easy to love. But that doesn’t mean there aren't difficult times. I will always love my family; I might not like their actions at times, but true love is seeing the best in them, believing in them, and fighting for them. I stand by them through prayers and listening. Today, update your definition of love to include Colossians 3:14: “and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Note, it didn’t say harmony, but unity. Stand by your lo...

 As we awake, get ready to face our day, pause. For it is through the Lord that you lie down and sleep and through the Lord that you awake. Psalm 23:2 states: He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. The Lord provides opportunities for physical and spiritual rest. I am a restless sleeper, yet I know that I must sleep. In the morning, I pause and thank the Lord, no matter how bad the sleep I received for being given another day. I usually have lots of agenda items, most likely the reason for my lack of solid sleep, but I know I must pause. My routine is disrupted on vacations and summer, for every morning I listen to mass on the way to work and pray a rosary. Yet I know even if I am not driving, I can still place these prayerful moments (moments of rest beside quiet waters) in my routine. Hence, the pause on a Saturday morning, my rest isn’t complete without prayer time and a conversation with God. Carve out your pause time and sit beside quiet waters...

I’ve been thinking a lot about how life changes. When I grew up, we had big gardens, my mom sewed, knit our sweaters, and canned food. These are things I have done. Yet I have realized that the reason she did those things does not bind me to them. I have horrible allergies. I tried the shots, yet at 1 part per billion they were still poking me with an epi. I think about expanding my gardening efforts and then I realize that it probably would not be in my best interest to be amongst the weeds and pollen. Letting go of activities is hard, but I also have different interests and things I want to do. I want to learn to play the cello, for one. Maybe I’ll get my pilot’s license, who knows. No matter what I do, I carry Isaiah 41:10 with me. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Yes God is with us. Sift through your activities and days, and make sure they align with God’s ...

 Wisconsin weather has proven again that for those who are eager to get in the garden, patience is a virtue to practice. We are getting a slow start this spring. However, I must say we have spring. Sometimes we go from winter to jumping into summer. Right now, it is 29 degrees. A cool start to the morning. Yet, I like the cooler temps. 60’s are perfect. I don’t mind the 50’s either. Summer will come, and I am enjoying the slow start. I will admit I do get anxious about things. Does my anxiety paralyze me? At times. I have learned, like the slow start to spring, that patience and acceptance are part of the process. 2  Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This month is Mental Health Month. I don’t talk much about my PTSD. I don’t share the crippling effects. I have experienced those who dismiss it or say to put your big girl panties on…I have experienced many who have committed suicide, and the horrible li...

Psalm 40:4 “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the outs, to those who turn aside to false gods.” I had a moment of realization yesterday. I might be retiring from my current job, but I have always felt I work for God, and to that I will never retire, just change where I work. For this, I need to trust. In today’s climate and political static energy, I do believe trust is something that is hard to come by. Yet, we must trust. Without trust, there is no hope. Without trust love is not a strong link in the chain. Without trust relationships are broken. Trust. I believe that we must go, on bended knee if need be and start with trusting the Lord. Ask for trust, be filled with trust and ask for God’s wisdom to know who, what, when and where to trust. Do a quick sift today, asking yourself if there are any false God’s to whom you have put your trust in. Then turn to the Lord, and ask for a heart worthy of his trust on the path…

Monday mornings. Sometimes Monday mornings can seem like a burden. Grade updates; students lessons, planning a party…and the list goes on. Yet Matthew reminds us that when we need rest and we feel like we carry burdens to turn to Christ: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden s light.” (Mt. 11:28-30) Mondays are new beginnings, the week before in the past. Only hope should rule on Mondays. I always tell my students we have to go through a day to get to the next one. Yet, we shouldn’t just “get through” but pause and enjoy little moments and find beauty, joy, friendship and Christ’s presence on the path….

Yesterday, my daughter came over and made her famous biscuits and gravy recipe. It was a fun way to start the morning. Family and good food are good ways to start any day. As I ponder my retirement (starting May 22 nd ), I discern these important things in life. Faith, family, friendship, and continuing to walk in the way of Christ. I am reminded of John 14:16-17: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you.” I am relying on the Holy Spirit to continue to guide my path. I find it interesting when one is retiring that people ask what they are going to do. I think the point of retiring is not to have agendas or plans but to allow life to unfold. I do hope to expand ways to teach and share faith with others. Maybe through podcasts and quick courses. Today is a good day to ask the Holy Spirit ...

Today, as you travel your life’s path, think about the scripture verses from John. Know that we, too, are to be that reflection of God to others. Our works should reveal the presence of God to others on the path…John 14:8-12 “Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, *  and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”

 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 Opportunities. Many times, I think opportunities do come our way to help others. Yet, I think we can just present ourselves as a person who is kind and good to all we meet. When I drive home, there is one area where two lanes merge into one. This happens right after a stop-and-go light. Sometimes I do get upset when people don’t follow the direction and try to squeeze in. I also get upset when others at school don’t follow the rules. I admit, I need to pause a lot, and remember that they have choices and even when I don’t like their choice and action, I am called to be kind and do good. This can be difficult, but it is something I strive for. Today is a good time to remind yourself of this calling. Speak good, act good and be good towards others on the path…