Bible Reflections

Daily sharings

[lifeundivided]

Lent Day 2 - 11 February 2016 In the Pope's Ash Wednesday homily (http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-commissions-missionaries-of-mercy-on-ash-wedn), he mentioned that the day’s readings present two invitations: 1. "To be reconciled to God"... by recognizing that we are in need of mercy. 2. “Return to me with your whole heart.” Sin keeps us far from God, but Jesus, the “story of salvation”, enables us return to Him. God truly works in amazing ways because the passage in my Discipleship study guide for today is also about two invitations! 😄🙌 (And I didn't connect it to the homily until just now, while thinking what to share) lol. See Luke 14:16-24. The Parable of the Great Feast. The host of the feast (God) sends out an invitation to his guests to come to the dinner. I read that in those times, the host would send out two invitations: 1) to invite the guests a few months in advance, then later 2) to inform them that the feast is ready. However, the invited guests last minute say that they have other things to do. Their excuses sound familiar... 1. Belongings / Ownership of material things / Financial matters 2. Food / Well-being / Jobs 3. Family matters / People / Other responsibilities They don't care / respect the host. God invites all to come to him but are we also pre-occupied with other things? The host was angry at their rejection.. He prepared a place for them but they didn't bother to come. He asks his servant to gather the poor, crippled, blind and lame, and compel others to come instead. The bible uses the word 'compel', not 'ask' or 'invite'. To compel is to strongly urge. How amazing is our God that He pursues us continuously although He knows we cannot repay him! The passage shows that the host is not satisfied with a partially full banquet hall. He wants every place at the table to be filled. I'm so very overwhelmed by God's great love for us. See how willing He is to save sinners! So God sends us two invitations: 1. To acknowledge sin and accept His mercy. 2. To return to God with your whole heart. Will you answer God's invitation?

[lifeundivided]

Lent Day 1 - 10 Feb 2016 

Peace be with you. I read this beautiful sharing on shereadstruth.com: (this is an abridged version) 

"I was walking from my car to my favorite coffee shop when I noticed two priests about a block away. One was holding a small bowl of ashes from the burnt palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday service, and the other held a small stack of papers in his hands. I greeted them and they greeted me, and they explained why they were there: “We know not everyone can make it to an early morning Ash Wednesday service, so we’re meeting them here, in the middle of their lives, because we believe that’s exactly where Jesus meets us.”

 They asked me if they could pray for me. Yes, please do. One priest gave me one of his papers and I followed along with an Ash Wednesday prayer on the page as he prayed it over me: 

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. We exchanged a few quiet words, then with his thumb he solemnly smudged an ashen cross on my forehead, saying, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 

I stopped in my tracks. Tears flowed while traffic carried on in the background, and I stood in stillness with my God and wept for the sins that separated me from Christ. At the age of 31, it was the first time I’d observed Ash Wednesday in this traditionally Roman Catholic way. What had once seemed ritualistic to me, a protestant girl became a vehicle the Holy Spirit used to bring me to repent and believe anew. 

Lent is a pause button. It is a quiet unlike any other time of year. Lent is a season to close our eyes as the busy world buzzes around us, to consider those things we’d much rather forget: our sin and our humanity. We came from dust, and to dust we will return.  Know that Ash Wednesday is for remembering our sin and humanity—for reflecting on our fallen state and our gaping need for a Savior.

Let today stop you in your tracks to “lament and acknowledge” sins, knowing that the King of Alleluias has already done all that needs to be done to grant you “perfect remission and forgiveness.” 

 My reflection: 

I keep thinking about the words: "...in the middle of their lives... that's exactly where Jesus meets us." It is so humbling to realise Jesus our Saviour wants to meet us and is there everyday, in the middle of our lives, waiting for us to meet him. I imagine Jesus standing at the street corner, or the bus stop I often go to. Wanting to meet me, waiting for me... I must have passed Jesus so many times in my day without knowing, without acknowledging his presence. Next time I'll meet Jesus more often in my day, and walk with him :) 

Have a holy and prayerful Ash Wednesday.

[lifeundivided]

“For God who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of Jesus Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 4:6

Reflection:

In difficult times, God shines His light - to guide and to lift us from the darkness. The same light that illuminates the earth in the creation story, is the same light that God gives to us.

And what God gives to us is not meant just for ourselves, but to be shared with others. Every blessing and every rescue then becomes our testimony to share about how we’ve discovered the mercy of God, His boundless love and never-failing help. Our testimonies will be light for others in their difficult times, because they know that our awesome God will carry them through such times just as He did for you.

“I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak… so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 4:13,15

• Do you believe in what God has done for you? • Will you speak in thanksgiving?

Prayer:

O God, I praise and thank you for this new morning. You give us light so that we may see. Inspire in us courage to share your light with others, giving you all the glory, so that we may build each other up in faith. Continue to shine your light on our path and guide us in your ways. May we always look to you, in all situations this week. Dear Mother Mary, please intercede and look after us, your children, who seek to know your Son, Jesus. Amen.