W.I.S.E. Bible Study

  Jeremiah 33:6:   Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. There is reassurance in today’s scripture verse that if you are tired , weary or in need of a hug God is with us. Each day is a new beginning and I think it should be started with hope , healing and joy. Love. Today start with knowing there is healing , there is hope and one can find joy among the trails and tribulations on the path…

  Hometowns. I decided to start my research on Mary of Mandala with her hometown. I think you can know a lot about a person from knowing their hometown. For me, I grew up in the country. Now I consider it the suburbs. However, growing up, we had our own sand lot. There were plenty of open spaces, a pond that flooded and our own kraut festival. Mary gre up in a fishing village. Fish markets and docks brought in the businesses of a robust fishing village. John 20:11 states “but Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept , she bent over into the tomb.” Deep love that perhaps started with a fishing village that everyone knew everyone and welcomed visitors. What, from your hometown has shaped you? Today remember your roots, looking for the good that can help you to look inside the tomb of Jesus and know he has risen on the path….

 My Church History students watched the movie "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word." After the discussion, I had them make posters on what they would like to see in a new pope. Our youth would like to see a post continue to stay active, humble, honest, trusting, reliable, live out his teachings, a leader, kind, lives simply, is frugal, open minded, not afraid to speak out when needed, serious about the teachings of the church but able to show his human side that he can make mistakes, wise, inclusive, pure, and BRAVE. Those are just some of the qualities they listed. I hope you noticed that they didn't list issues. Instead, they listed characteristics that would help a Pope navigate any issue or event that would arise. Today, think about what you would like to see in a new Pope and pray for the next leader, even if you aren't Catholic. This spiritual leader helps shape the world and individuals, so prayers for the next one are important. I know I will be praying on the pat...

  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2 The Mind. I think that one great thing about this world today is our consciousness about our mental health. Our interior wellbeing. For centuries we have saints that have guided people to look inward in order to be all God has created them to be- outward. Scripture tells us not to be conformed to this world. Why? I think there are goals, “buy-ins” that we are always being tempted with. However, our mind is a beautiful thing, and we must guard it. What do we listen to? What do we watch? What do we hold as a standard? All these things get reflected in our mind/heart. Even though the Octave of Easter is upon us, we can continue looking inside our minds and find what is influencing us. What do we perhaps need to get rid of because of it is of this world? Today on the path, charish moments, cherish those you meet and only put in your mind those things of Christ on the path….

  Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."   Daily. Every day is an adventure. We do not know what the light will bring. Today’s scripture verse reminds us that God does walk with us—the Trinitarian God. The Holy Spirit will guide us, Jesus will remind us, and God, God’s loving arms will wrap around us, hugging us and supporting us. Take the “we” along today. We can do this. We will see amazing things. We will face everything together on the path….

  Ezekiel 1:12 - "And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went."   Moving forward. Sometimes, I overthink things. Yep, I have to turn something over and over before moving forward. Sometimes, this can paralyze a person. Today’s scripture quote reminds one that we must follow the spirit and move forward, but when we do, we are not to turn around. As you know, I am a nature person. Have my Earth Day t-shirt on today. Happy Earth Day! As I drove to work, a coyote ran across the road. “A coyote represents a balance between wisdom and foolishness, teaching us to embrace change and unpredictability in life.” They are tricksters and remind us also to laugh at ourselves and not be so serious. Hopefully, today, as the Holy Spirit guides, the path will be straightforward. There will be no turning back on the path….

Mercy “  The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”  Psalm 145:9 (NIV)   Pope Francis was a man of mercy. His life, his Pontificate, were all ways he lived out mercy. He chose to live with the poor, not in a Vatican apartment. He called a synod that included the voice of women. He hired women for roles at the Vatican. He was going to do a pilgrimage with the LGBTQ community. He lived out mercy because he knew that all that God made was good and deserved compassion. John Paul II said to go be scripture scholars, so I did. Pope Francis has led by mercy, and it is up to us to continue the path he his light. A path of mercy and compassion. Today, walk humbly, walk with mercy, be filled with compassion, be a good Samaritan on the path…   Jesus, you said to feed my lambs if I love you I love you, and know all children are your lambs to feed with food, with kindness, with you Jesus, you said if I love you, to take care of my shee...