Sacred Healing 12:30

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed, her iniquity has been pardoned; for she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins. "A voice of one calling: 'Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.…'" (Isaiah 40:1-4). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Jerinel M; Eileen T; Mary E.; Bev H; Jennifer H; Patricia M; and Thomas F. Thank you for loving and lifting me! Bible Study Evangelista is now available on the Laudate app! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - On your next drive, pay attention to the terrain and how the road is built. What can you discern about what Isaiah 40:1-4, above, means? What is God saying to you about what the Lenten "desert" is meant to accomplish? I | Ignatian - I find it interesting that Isaiah 40:1-4, above, speaks about the highway being in the desert, or the wilderness. What is your current desert? Using all your senses, try to imagine a highway through this desert. What is the scenery around you? Where does the highway lead? A | Augustinian - Imagine the Lord sitting knee-to-knee across from you, looking at you intently, saying to you the words from Isaiah 40:1-4, above. T | Thomistic -Research road construction here. What does the process tell you about the meaning of Isaiah 40:1-4, above? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) 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 only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Series Preview I. The Summons - History A. Isaiah’s call B. History of the Book of Isaiah C. History of God’s people’s corruption D. Corruption causes disunity II. The Separating – First Isaiah A. Public scandal and corruption B. Idolatry C. Corruption causes public disunity D. Assyria and Samaria E. Samaritans and Protestants F. Protestants and Catholics G. The “unclean” (Is 35:8) H. Judas III. The Sifting – Second Isaiah A. Private scandal and corruption B. Hypocrisy C. Corruption causes private disunity D. Babylon and Judah/Jerusalem E. Two types of Catholic F. The “fool” (Is 35:8) G. David H. Peter 1 IV. The Straightening – Third Isaiah 1 A. Survival B. Sorrow C. Solution D. Salvage E. Strengthen F. Safety (Is 35:9) V. The Sending – Third Isaiah 2 A. Salvation (Is 35:9) B. Celebration (Is 35:10) C. Stages Pray for Us

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). Have you been sifted? Are you being sifted? Every Christian is sifted. But when we have turned back, we must strengthen our brothers and sisters. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Corey P; Gloria D; Sarah D; Shyanne P; Katharine G; Dennis A; Linda S; and Robert J. Thank you for loving and lifting me! Bible Study Evangelista is now available on the Laudate app! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - In Jesus' exhortation to Peter, above, you are likely most drawn to this part: "when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Where have you been sifted by God? How can you strengthen your brother or sister? I | Ignatian - Threshing is the process of loosening the edible part of grain from the husks and straw to which it is attached. It is the step in grain preparation after reaping and before winnowing, which separates the grain from the chaff. With all your senses, imagine yourself as Peter in this passage. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). How do you think this "sifting" feels? What happens? Have you experienced it, yourself? A | Augustinian - Where have you been guilty of anger toward public sin and corruption in the Church, without the same anger and sadness toward your own private sin? T | Thomistic - “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). Look at the winnowing, or sifting, process here. In researching the process, what do you learn about what Jesus was saying to Peter in this passage? What was Satan asking to do, and what did Satan actually do with Peter? How is this sifting process part of each Christian's life? Does this knowledge make you more or less inclined to mercy toward others whose sin you see plainly? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) 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 only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Series Preview I. The Summons - History A. Isaiah’s call B. History of the Book of Isaiah C. History of God’s people’s corruption D. Corruption causes disunity II. The Separating – First Isaiah A. Public scandal and corruption B. Idolatry C. Corruption causes public disunity D. Assyria and Samaria E.

"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it..." (Is. 35:8). unclean טָמֵא ṭâmê' taw-may' A primitive root; to be foul in a religious sense, especially ceremonial or moral (contaminated): - defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, utterly. Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Caron P; Karen A; Sharla M; Hydi Y; Nancy B; Sarah D; and Megan Z. Thank you for loving and lifting me! Bible Study Evangelista is now available on the Laudate app! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Franciscans sometimes have a hard time believing anyone or anything is corrupt or "unclean." Pray a decade of the Jesus Prayer for the healing of corruption in the Church: "Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner." I | Ignatian - Take a look at the definition for "unclean," above. What do you think it means to be "ceremonially unclean" or "defiled" in our day and time? Do you think such a thing is possible? Using all your senses, imagine you are on the Highway of Holiness, where "the unclean" are not allowed. What happens? Ignatians sometimes have a hard time practicing charity toward those who are "unclean" or "defiled." Make a goal of praying regularly for the healing of corruption in the hierarchy of the Church. A | Augustinian - How is God calling you to deeper faith by asking you to trust Him through the leadership of the Church? What was one thing God said to you through this show? T | Thomistic - Take a look at the definition for "unclean," (at the top of the page, above). How do you think the definition applies today? What are your thoughts about that? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) 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 only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Series Preview I. The Summons - History A. Isaiah’s call B. History of the Book of Isaiah C. History of God’s people’s corruption D. Corruption causes disunity II. The Separating – First Isaiah A. Public scandal and corruption B. Idolatry C. Corruption causes public disunity D. Assyria and Samaria E. Samaritans and Protestants F. Protestants and Catholics G. The “unclean” (Is 35:8) H. Judas III. The Sifting – Second Isaiah A. Private scandal and corruption B. Hypocrisy C. Corruption causes private disunity D. Babylon and Judah/Jerusalem E. Two types of Catholic F. The “fool” (Is 35:8) G. David H. Peter 1 IV. The Straightening – Third Isaiah 1 A. Survival B. Sorrow C. Solution D. Salvage E. Strengthen F.

"Man is an abyss; what will rise out of these depths, no one can see in advance. And whoever believes that the Church is not only determined by the abyss that is man, but reaches down into the greater, infinite abyss that is God, will be the first to hesitate with his predictions, for this naïve desire to know for sure could only be the announcement of his own historical ineptitude" (St. Augustine). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Dennis C; Connie L; Steven M; Martha H; and Mark C. Thank you for loving and lifting me! Bible Study Evangelista is now available on the Laudate app! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Make a Holy Hour of Adoration and pray for your pastor and bishop, and all pastors and bishops. I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, imagine you are a modern-day Isaiah, called to preach repentance and judgment to the people of God. How does God want you to go about sharing His message? How do you feel about having volunteered? Do you think the people will listen to you? What is the message in your heart, and how do you communicate it to others? Are you fire-and-brimstone or gentle? Impatient or quiet? Do you preach to the leaders or the laity? A | Augustinian - How is God calling you to deeper holiness? What specific action can you take this week, small or large, to move in the direction of deeper holiness? T | Thomistic - How does knowing the historical background of the Book of Isaiah and the Israelites help you understand our own time in Church history? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) 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 only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me so, O Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Series Preview I. The Summons - History A. Isaiah’s call B. History of the Book of Isaiah C. History of God’s people’s corruption D. Corruption causes disunity II. The Separating – First Isaiah A. Public scandal and corruption B. Protestants and Catholics G. The “unclean” (Is 35:8) H. Judas III. The Sifting – Second Isaiah A. Private scandal and corruption B. Hypocrisy C. Corruption causes private disunity D. Babylon and Judah/Jerusalem E. Two types of Catholic F. The “fool” (Is 35:8) G. David H. Peter 1 IV. The Straightening – Third Isaiah 1 A. Survival B. Sorrow C. Solution D. Salvage E. Strengthen F. Safety (Is 35:9) V. The Sending – Third Isaiah 2 A. Salvation (Is 35:9) B. Celebration (Is 35:10) C. Stages Pray for Us The pilgrimage is sold out. Plan to go next year! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community.

"Return, O Israel. Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, 'take away all iniquity; accept that which is good and we will render the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses; and we will say no more, "Our God," to the work of our hands. In thee the orphan finds mercy.' I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall blossom as the lily" (Hosea 14:5). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Regina L; Sandra M; and Justine C. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - As you receive ashes Wednesday, lean into the weight of their meaning. How does such a reminder of death help you appreciate "rest" more? I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, imagine you are present at the Creation event throughout all six days  (read it here). How do you feel on the seventh day? A | Augustinian - What was the most significant sentence, verse, or idea you heard in this week's show? Do you desire refreshing from the Lord? How can you spend your Lent preparing for that refreshment on Easter Day? T | Thomistic - How many "Times of Refreshing" can you list from what you know of the Bible? What do you think God is saying to you about His desire to refresh you? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Eternal rest grant unto them, and us, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon us all. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercies of God, rest in peace. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Pray for Us The pilgrimage is sold out. Plan to go next year! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

"The Sabbath was the consecration of one day of the weekly period to God as the Author of the universe and of time. The day thus being the Lord's, it required that man should abstain from working for his own ends and interests, since by working he would appropriate the day to himself, and that he should devoted his activity to God by special acts of positive worship" (Catholic Encyclopedia). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Viviana V; Cynthia C; Angela C; Catherine H; Shannon M; and Melanie M. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Spend your entire next Sunday after Mass at home, at rest. Without forcing or browbeating other adults into your observance, make sure every member of your household also has the opportunity to go nowhere and do only what is restful. How can you make this a regular practice, especially the "staying at home" part? I | Ignatian - The Sabbath is first mentioned in connection with the manna (Exodus 16). Imagine you are an Israelite gathering manna for the first time. It has fallen with the dew, "flake-like and fine as hoarfrost." What does it smell like? What does it feel like, to the touch? Is it filling? Nutritious? How does it taste? In your LOVE the Word® journal. or your free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin, try to draw what  you think it looked like. Can you hear it fall with the dew? Do you follow the instructions and collect only enough for that day, or do you try to gather more, just in case? Either way, using all your senses, imagine what happens as you collect manna that first day. A | Augustinian - What one, small thing can you do this week to begin clearing out your Sunday in order to make it a true worship-rest day, both for yourself, and for your household? This week after Communion at Mass, consciously look back over your past week at how God used you and formed you through your work. Consider, in His presence, how He might do so in the coming week. T | Thomistic - Read the following entry for "Sabbath" from the Catholic encyclopedia. What do you learn? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. + Amen. . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Pray for Us The pilgrimage is sold out. Plan to go next year! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete,

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God: and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more: the first things are passed away. And He that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new" (Rev 21:2-5). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Nancy H; Anneleisa F; Brigid O; Kay C; Kathleen A; and Jill D. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Take a few moments to identify someone who is "busy" with their duties and service to others. Offer to take one of those practices or services on yourself, and commit to doing so on their behalf for an agreed upon period of time. I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, spend some time imagining Sarah's predicament regarding Hagar and Ishmael, particularly the scene where Sarah witnesses Ishmael "mocking" Isaac. What do you hear, see, feel, taste, touch and smell? How do you feel? How do you react? A | Augustinian - Meditate on how God always refreshes and even blesses those in the midst of judgment and discipline, namely both Hagar and Sarah, and the whole people of God in Babylonian exile (as in Is 54). If you are in a desert place of discipline, can you identify ways that God has also provided refreshment for you? Identify another person who is in a desert place of discipline. How can you offer refreshment to them this week? T | Thomistic - Although Hagar's son was born first, because she was a slave and Sarah was freeborn, Isaac would have, and did, immediately become Abraham's ranking heir over Ishmael. This younger-over-older preference (especially among brothers) is a repeated theme in the Bible that foreshadows the New Jerusalem having eventual position over the older. How many instances of this younger-over-older principle can you list? What do you learn from that? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) As a member of the New Jerusalem, Lord, living under the law of your love and grace, may I always seek charity for my neighbor, but also for myself in seeking, depending on, and hoping in your freedom from my sin. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Pray for Us The pilgrimage is sold out. Plan to go next year! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

"IN this unpretending chapter we have laid bare to us the origin of one of the most striking facts in the history of religion: namely, that from the one person of Abram have sprung Christianity and that religion which has been and still is its most formidable rival and enemy, Mohammedanism. "To Ishmael, the son of Abram, the Arab tribes are proud to trace their pedigree. Through him they claim Abram as their father, and affirm that they are his truest representatives, the sons of his first-born. In Mohammed, the Arabian, they see the fulfilment of the blessing of Abram, and they have succeeded in persuading a large part of the world to believe along with them. "Little did Sarah think when she persuaded Abram to take Hagar that she was originating a rivalry which has run with keenest animosity through all ages and which oceans of blood have not quenched. The domestic rivalry and petty womanish spites and resentments so candidly depicted in this chapter, have actually thrown on the world from that day to this one of its darkest and least hopeful shadows. The blood of our own countrymen, it may be of our own kindred, will yet flow in this unappeasable quarrel. So great a matter does a little fire kindle. So lasting and disastrous are the issues of even slight divergences from pure simplicity" (Expositor's Bible). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Virginia, Elizabeth, and Monica. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Not speaking about danger, here, merely petty injustice, but what unjust situation have you run away from that God wants you to return to? Have you considered that your submission may include a promise, along with punishment for the one who acted unjustly? I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, spend some time imagining Hagar's situation and circumstances from the time Sarah gave her to Abram, through her conversation with the Angel of the Lord, and her return back to their home. What do you see, hear, feel, smell, touch, taste as you begin traveling back to Egypt, your homeland; receive refreshment by the spring; and attempt to gather the guts to go back and submit to Sarah? What happens when you get back? A | Augustinian - Are you living fully in God's will? How do you know? Have you asked Him? T | Thomistic - What do you learn from the following Bible encyclopedia entry? Kadesh-Barnea kā´desh-bar´nḗ-a (קדשׁ בּרנע, ḳādhēsh barnēa‛; Καδής, Kadḗs): Mentioned 10 times; called also “Kadesh” simply. The name perhaps means “the holy place of the desert of wandering.” There are references to Kadesh in early history. At En-mishpat (“the same is Kadesh”) Chedorlaomer and his allies smote the Amalekite and Amorite. Abraham dwelt near Kadesh, and it was at Beer-lahai-roi between Kadesh and Bered that the Angel of Yahweh appeared to Hagar (Gen_14:7; Gen_16:14; Gen_20:1). It was an important camp of the Israelites during their wanderings, and seems to have been their headquarters for 38 years (Deu_1:2; Deu_2:14; Judith 5:14). There the returning spies found the camp (Num_13:26); there Miriam died and was buried (Num_20:1); from thence messengers were sent to the king of Edom (Num_20:14; Jdg_11:16 ff). There the people rebelled because of the want of water, and Moses brought water from the rock (Num_20:2 ff); it was called therefore Meribath - or Meriboth-Kadesh (Num_27:14; Eze_47:19; Eze_48:28). It was situated in the wilderness of Zin (Num_20:1; Num_33:36, Num_33:37) in the hill country of the Amorites (Deu_1:19),

" Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom 13:10). Love is the principle of all merit (Fr. Garrigou La Grange). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Wendee L; Anne K; Stephanie W; and Ann S. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Because they have a natural aversion to "rule-keeping," Franciscans often have trouble being consistent. What area of your life needs more structure and discipline? What single, small practice can you begin right away that will add some structure and discipline to that area? I | Ignatian - The best working definition of grace I know of is to treat someone better than he deserves (when it's in his best interest). Sometimes this principle is known as "paying it forward." Spend your whole day seeking little ways to offer graces to your neighbors. If you struggle with perfectionism, OCD, or attempts to obligate God to you, what has God said to you about how to accept unconditional love, and His other gifts from Him? A | Augustinian - Your assignment this week is the same as the Ignatians'. The best working definition of grace I know of is to treat someone better than he deserves (when it's in his best interest). Sometimes this principle is known as "paying it forward." Spend your whole day seeking little ways to offer graces to your neighbors. If you struggle with perfectionism, OCD, or attempts to obligate God to you, what has God said to you about how to accept unconditional love, and His other gifts from Him? T | Thomistic - Look up the terms Law and grace in a Bible dictionary. What do you learn? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Only two spots remain! Register now! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

"Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants" (Deut 1:8). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Rita D; Sandra E; Jemma C; Janeen S; and Colleen N. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Through a food pantry or food kitchen, a specially cooked meal, or as an Extraordinary Minster of the Eucharist, how can you offer the bread of God to others? I | Ignatian - Imagine or remember yourself in the desert. Feel yourself there, accepting that God led you to this place. What do you long for in each of your senses? What do you wish you tasted, heard, felt, saw, smelled? A | Augustinian -If you are in the desert, what has God said to you about trusting Him through this show? If you have made it through the desert and are in the Promised Land, what has God said to you about how to make it through the prosperity and ease of the Promised Land in a way that does not compromise your soul? T | Thomistic - Using a map of Palestine, outline the literal and spiritual stages of the move from Egypt to the Promised Land. How does this outline speak to you about your own journey? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Only two spots remain! Register now! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 'Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble'" (Matt 6:33). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Tricia G; Gabrina C; and Rowena A. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Gather a small stone for each of the things you can think of for which you are seeking, other than "the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Throw each of the stones into a pond or lake, in turn, as you are able to release them to God and His will. I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, imagine you are one of a field full of wildflowers, dancing in the sun and breeze of God's love. As a flower, what do you worry about? Do you work and labor at growing and blooming?  A | Augustinian - What has God said to you today about worry, anger, hoarding, and/or stress? What single action can you take this week to relieve these negative feelings? T | Thomistic - What is "the Kingdom of God and His righteousness"? Research each term in a Bible dictionary. What do you learn? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Only seven spots remain! Register now! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 'Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble'" (Matt 6:33). Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Melissa O; Theresa O; Birdine M; Diane S; Beth C; Jamie M; Mark C; Elizabeth M; Karen A; Anna-Marie F; Tara D; Staci T; Lorie S; Janice S; and Marc S. Thank you for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Gather a small stone for each of the things you can think of for which you seeking, other than "the kingdom of God and His righteousness." Throw each of the stones into a pond or lake, in turn, as you are able to release them to God and His will. I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, imagine you are one of a field full of wildflowers, dancing in the sun and breeze of God's love. As a flower, what do you worry about? Do you work and labor at growing and blooming?  A | Augustinian - What has God said to you today about worry, anger, hoarding, and/or stress? What single action can you take this week to relieve these negative feelings? T | Thomistic - What is "the Kingdom of God and His righteousness"? Research each term in a Bible dictionary. What do you learn? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Only seven spots remain! Register now! Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

What if, when the disciples said to Him, "Teach us to pray," Jesus knew they were looking for something "special,"some new prayer that was particular to Him and His followers? What if He surprised them by telling them to simply continue praying the prayer they had been praying all their lives? Thank you to my Friends of the Show for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Pray an Our Father, facing East, with feet planted firmly together! I | Ignatian - Using all your senses, imagine you are in the group when Jesus "teaches" the disciples the Our Father, either at the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5 & 6), while Jesus is alone praying "in a certain place." What do you see? Hear? Smell? Feel? What do you all talk about afterward? A | Augustinian - Take turns emphasizing the words of the Our Father in turn, until you have done them all, like this: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name." What new insights do you gain by using this approach? T | Thomistic - Choose one of the words in the Our Father prayer to research in a concordance. What do you learn? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

God does not explain Himself, He reveals Himself. When I go through trials it does not matter what I know, but Who I know. Thank you to Chloe F; Jackie D; Julie L; Michelle S; and Ania G, my newest Friends of the Show, for loving and lifting me! LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - What do you learn about suffering by watching the following video on how to shear sheep?  I | Ignatian - Try to imagine how the sheep feel during the entire process of shearing, beginning with being caught. Why do you suppose they are silent during what seems like such disgrace or mistreatment? What does that tell you about your own suffering, and about God as your Shepherd? A | Augustinian - I found it interesting that sheep relax for shearing once they are flipped over on their backs. What does this tell you about how God deals with us during suffering, or about how God uses suffering for our benefit? Are you willing to let God shear you, and to offer Him your "wool"? Have you told Him? T | Thomistic - Use this link to research shepherding. What do you learn about God as a shepherd? About yourself as a sheep? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) I uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me that I did not know. Therefore I repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:3 & 6). Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community. Tell me your #LOVEtheWordtakeaway for this week's show.   Read the Transcript You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.

In highly poetic symbolism, in Job 41, and elsewhere throughout the Bible, Leviathan is presented as different from an ordinary sea monster, because it cannot be captured; at least not by man, as Job exemplifies. God, however, is aloof and unaffected by the terror with which He ascribes to Leviathan. Through the context of the Book of Job, we understand that He alone possesses the power to conquer it (41:10-11).   LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. L - Listen (Receive the Word.) O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.) F | Franciscan - Visit a cemetery and pray for the dead, or alternatively, visit a hospital or nursing home and pray with those who will let you. I | Ignatian - Place yourself in this narrative, using all your sense to imagine the scene. 1:17  And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called to the Lord, out of my distress,  and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried,  and thou didst hear my voice. 3 For thou didst cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood was round about me; all thy waves and thy billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am cast out from thy presence; how shall I again look upon thy holy temple?’ 5 The waters closed in over me, the deep was round about me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6     at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me for ever; yet thou didst bring up my life from the Pit, O Lord my God. 7 When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to thee, into thy holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their true loyalty. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to thee; what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!” 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah A | Augustinian - Think about small ways you can increase penances or sacrifices on behalf of the Church at this difficult time? How can you be more pure, so that you contribute to her renewal from within, rather than attempting to change Her from without? When have you behaved tempestuously or acted stormily? Is there a pattern to this behavior in your life? T | Thomistic - What conclusions can you draw about Evil as the god and ruler of this world, the one who influences earthly governments, institutions, and current intellectual philosophies? What responsibility do you have in light of this knowledge? What might God want you to do about that? V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.) Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O - Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin. E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!) I know that you can do all things and no purpose of yours can be thwarted (Job 42:1). Amen + . *LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types. Come with Us Share the LOVE Share the LOVE on the Facebook community.