Amos

Selected Lectio Reading:
Amos

Meditatio/Reflection:

One of the most needed things in the world is world peace and truth. We can get these things through God if we repent. But there are many people who think of repentance as a stupid idea. This is the case in the book of Amos as well. Many countries, including Israel, were very sinful but did not want anything to do with repentance. God was furious with the people for this, but he never stopped loving them. He told them to repent many times and tried to help the people. However, they would not listen so God had to make a hard decision. He gives reasons saying, "But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood... Indeed, I am raising up against you a nation." (Amos 6:12,14) Even hearing all of this, the people did not repent. Then God did raise people against them over and over. They definitely didn't want to rely on God whatsoever. But things have changed and we should repent and love God with all we can.

Thanksgiving:

 I am thankful for my Catholic faith and for being raised Catholic by my parents.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Please help everyone taking finals and those who have already taken their finals.



Quote of the Day:

“Even when life turns out different than what you’ve planned, it’s always better to try and fail than to wonder what could have been.” -Kirsten Hubbard, Wanderlove

1 Samuel 1-3, 8-11, 16-17

Selected Lectio Reading:
1 Samuel 1-3, 8-11, 16-17

Meditatio/Reflection:

I feel that there are a lot of people today in society that look down at others that listen to music for comfort or constantly so they can be distracted from things. This isn't a thing in Genesis 16. Saul's servants suggest, that when he tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord, that he find a superb lyre player to distract him and chase away the spirit. Now, a theory is that these spirits were Saul's own conscience and so the music would calm his thoughts into happiness. David became the lyre player in the end and Saul came to love him very much for his doings. So, "And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him." (1 Samuel 16:23)

There are many people, including myself, that turn to music as an outlet from our daily lives. It can be either making music yourself, or just listening to it. However, it seems that people tend to see these individuals as people who don't care and would rather not be social. Sometimes this is the case, but other times a family member or someone can be rude to another and so this person will listen to music to avoid their words. Or someone could be having terrible thoughts of their own attack them, so they rock out to their favorite song and dream of something different. All the while, the people around them tell them to stop ignoring their family members or to "man up" and "deal with it". Well to you people who think someone is rude when they have their headphones in constantly, look at what your saying or what's happening to them. Don't be a son of a bacon bit and unnecessarily scold them for coping with their life or I'll find you and punch the ever loving strawberry cheesecake out of you.

Thanksgiving:

 I am thankful for the gift of music, instruments, and those who make the music as well.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Lord, please give me the strength in need in life to protect my friend and myself. Keep those who make beautiful music safe and give them inspiration. And give nice thoughts to those who drown in their own depressing ones.



Quote of the Day:

“Her sentences were icebergs, with just the tip of her thought coming out of her mouth, and the rest kept up in her head, which I was starting to think was more and more beautiful the longer I looked at her.” -Gregory Galloway, As Simple As Snow

Special Song Suggestions: (these are all quiet and soothing songs but choose anything you like)
-any song written by Fahrenhaidt
-Thistled Spring by Horse Feathers
-Anchor by Novo Amor
-Drift by Kim Janssen
-It's Okay by Land Of Talk
-Atlas: Touch by Sleeping At Last
-The Wisp Sings by Winter Aid
-Circling by Nils Frahm
-Your Hand In Mine by Explosions In The Sky
-any classical music

Judges 6-8

Selected Lectio Reading:
Judges 6-8

Meditatio/Reflection:

In Judges 6, God allows the Israelites to be conquered by the Midianites for the people had forgotten about God. But yet again, the Israelites cry out to God for Him to save them from their suffering. God hears them and calls a man named Gideon to be the Israelites leader. One of his tasks is to destroy the Altar of Baal, which his townspeople worship heavily. Gideon follows God's orders and destroys the altar. The townspeople become so enraged that they wish to kill Gideon. But Gideon proves their god is fake and the people follow him. Then, Gideon and his army save the Israelites from the Midianites. They follow God and are loyal to him until Gideon dies. It seems like once they lost their leader, they crumble and fall back into sin.

It seems like we can do that sometimes as well. We see a person that we like or love and we follow them. But when that person leaves, we crumble and fall into sin.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for God'd faith in me, as well as others putting their faith in me.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh God, please lead me on the right path so that I may love and worship you and do what you intend me to.



Quote of the Day:

“It’s strange how your childhood sort of feels like forever. Then suddenly you’re sixteen and the world becomes an hourglass and you’re watching the sand pile up at the wrong end. And you’re thinking of how when you were just a kid, your heartbeat was like a kick drum at a rock show, and now it’s just a time bomb ticking out. And it’s sad. And you want to forget about dying. But mostly you just want to forget about saying goodbye.” -Beau Taplin

Joshua 1-6

Selected Lectio Reading:
Joshua 1-6

Meditatio/Reflection:

People, like prostitutes, these days are usually never looked at as if they could be forgiven for their actions. We look at them and see dirt or filth. Others rarely care for them or "forgive" them. In Joshua 2, a prostitute, named Rahab, hides two of Joshua's men. The men are being hunted down for spying on the land. However, Rahab hid them on top of their roof and gave them instructions to escape. In return, she asked or her and her family to be spared when the Israelites came to attack the city. The men agreed and told her to hang the crimson rope they used to escape outside her window. When the Israelites go to attack, Joshua keeps the promise and tells the people, "'Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers we sent.'" (Joshua 6:17) Rahab and her family lives in Israel still.

Here it is shown that God and his people can forgive anyone's actions and never stop loving them. Though Rahab may have done some terrible thing with her life, it did not matter to the Israelites when she saved two of their people. She was kind and received kindness in return. Those are true people to keep in ones life, for they will not judge you for your past actions but take you as you are now.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for good friends who can love me no matter what I do or say to them. I am thankful for isle who have stood beside me for the longest time.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh Lord, I ask that you may look over one of my friends. Please help her struggle to become less stressful and give her the strength to always keep fighting.



Quote of the Day:

"Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food… If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." -C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

Exodus 21-24, 32-34

Selected Lectio Reading:
Exodus 21-24, 32-34

Meditatio/Reflection:

In Exodus 33, there is a side of God we don't think about too often. God loves us so much that no words, nor actions, nor thoughts can describe it. Where the Israelites are, there is a tent that Moses should use to talk to God with. God would come down in the form of a cloud and talk to Moses. "This the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." (Exodus 33:11) Usually, when we think of God, we see Him as a kind ruler who only intervenes when he has to. Though God may not talk to all of us, he can speak through others. He also speaks through the Bible. And the reason that He may not interact with us is because He wants us to find our own way. He gave us the gift of free will and he doesn't intend to mess with that.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for my sister and her boyfriend, for their healthy relationship has shown every much.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

God, I ask that you lead us in the right direction and that you carefully look after all those who do not feel 100% and can't even get out of bed.



Quote of the Day:

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which had been your delight." -Kahlil Gibran

Exodus 15-20

Selected Lectio Reading:
Exodus 15-20

Meditatio/Reflection:

Humanity's faith in God has always dwindled. We never truly trusted God, or even ourselves for that matter. Even Moses was wary in the beginning. However, Moses learned to trust God and completely put his faith in Him. In Exodus 17, after all that God has given to the people, the Israelites don't trust God or even Moses. An Israelite said, "'Why did you bring using of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?'" (Exodus 17:3) Miracle after Miracle, God works to show us how mighty He really is. Now some people start to see this and fully put themselves into their faith, but the majority do not.

Today, there are many people, including Catholics, that do not trust in God. We put our money or something other than God first. Most of this is caused by our society that weighs on us heavily. However we must put out faith in Him, that he will provide for us like He always does.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for the gift of music, which will calm my soul until I die.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Lord, please look after us in the kind way you do. Especially look after all the people who are disabled in some way, that they may be touched by your pure love.



Quote of the Day:

"I don't believe in pop quizzes. They're mythical like ponies and joy." -Mr. Crane

Exodus 1-14

Selected Lectio Reading:
Exodus 1-14

Meditatio/Reflection:

In Exodus, Chapter 7, the First Plague of water turning into blood is performed. God made the water blood so that the Egyptians couldn't drink the water or eat of the dead fish. However, the victory didn't last long. The pharaoh had magicians who could recreate what God had done. "But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts..." (Exodus 7:22) The only way that someone could recreate the power of God was if they had some sort of power themselves. It is here that demons are introduced. Technically they are not called demons, but instead magicians. However, there is no man or woman who has such power against God. These demons are relentless when it comes to trying to show pharaoh that God is myth. They come back again and again after every plague and do their best to recreate the miracles. Yet after all the demons did to prove that God was not real, they gave up their façade and told pharaoh that God was truly behind this.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for kind people in the world who understand the difficulties of homework combined with daily life.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Dear Lord, please protect us from all evil and carry our heavy souls to heaven.



Quote of the Day:

"Maybe the wolf is in love with the moon, and each month it cries for a love it will never touch." -Unknown

Genesis 43-50

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 43-50

Meditatio/Reflection:

Genesis illustrated for me that tears and crying are a very human things. There are many examples where the males cry at the sight of something emotional. They are free to show their feelings and not hold them in as it might be seen as a weakness. They did not feel judged and were not judged in anyway. Joseph, Benjamin, and the rest of the twelve cried with one another when they found Jospeh.

In modern day films and entertainment, to show any signs of emotion is to be seen as a weakness. Society tells us that for males to cry is stupid and they are to be called terrible names. It also portray women as weak for showing so much emotion in our daily lives. As humans, we are taught to hold in their feelings and opinions. We are judged by those who do not own that right. This is completely wrong and painful to see. As we all can see, there is many things to learn from Genesis.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for support and love from those around me, as well as the ability to smile at the simplest things.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Jesus, I wish that you look over the bullied and the abused. Please guide them along the path to safety and happiness. Amen.



Quote of the Day:

"Mosaics are made from broken pieces, but they're still works of art and so are you." -Anonymous

Genesis 37-42

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 37-42

Meditatio/Reflection:

Joseph was very connected with all kinds of dreams. He could interpret others dreams as well as his own. I see this as a very important gift. Not many people today can actually understand what our dreams mean. This is especially troublesome since God talks to us a lot in dreams. In this instance, God explained the future through different dreams. He told Joseph that one day his brothers would bow to him which was true as well as the 7 good years of food surplus and the 7 years of famine which was also true.

However, modern day people usually think of their dreams as weird hallucinations that our brains just mash together. While some of that may be true, there are also instances where they may seem stupid but are very meaningful. I remember when my grandmother had passed away and I was missing her. A few months later I had this dream where I saw her eyes and she told me that she loved me. It definitely helped me carry on.

Thanksgiving:

I am very thankful for healthy families and for all the cures to all the sicknesses we have.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh Lord, please watch over those with any type of cancer and heal them as quickly as possible so they may live their lives to the fullest. Please look over those with fatal sicknesses and make them as comfortable as possible.



Quote of the Day:

"Our fingerprints cannot be erased from the lives of those we have touched." -Unknown

Genesis 31-36

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 31-36

Meditatio/Reflection:

When Dinah daughter of Jacob was raped by Shechem, the entire family felt the pain. Her brothers especially were enraged when they heard of this. They wanted to protect their sister from any of this, just like a brother would do. And so when Shechem and Shechem's servant asked for Dinah's hand in marriage, her brother were devious and made a deal with them. They could only have Dinah and the rest of the daughters if they were circumcised. So they agreed and all the males were circumcised. And when they were still hurting, the brothers came in and killed all the males and took the children and wives for themselves. They turned to the wrongful men and said, "'Should our sister be treated like a whore?'"

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for candy corn and gluten free crackers that taste like goldfish.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh God, please look after the women and men who have been victims of rape and their perpetrators be found. And that all the cows in the world are safe.




Quote of the Day:

"Why are you keeping this curiosity door locked?" -Gaten Matarazzo

Genesis 27-30

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 27-30

Meditatio/Reflection:

It's interesting how my perspective changed when it comes to Esau and Jacob. When I was younger (and being the youngest), I thought that Jacob was cool about how got back at his brother and gained the upper hand. But now I realize just how much of a terrible person that Jacob was. It wasn't Esau's fault that he came out of the womb first so when Jacob takes Esau's birthright, it's pretty harsh. Then Jacob gets even more corrupt when his mother and him steal Esau's blessing. I know that a son always wants to be accepted and loved by his father. And when Esau learns that Issac has no blessing for him, he isn't completely outraged. No, he cries. "Esau said to his father, 'Have you only on blessing, father? Bless me, me also, father!' And Esau lifted up his voice and wept." (Genesis 27:38) Esau weeps when Issac does not bless him. I can almost hear the pain in his voice when he asks his father to bless him. Yet, even after this happened, Jacob was still forgiven by God and built the twelve tribes of Israel.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for the love I get from the people around me and how they show my that they love me.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Lord, please look over my sister while she learns in college.




Quote of the Day:

"In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart." -Anne Frank

Genesis 24-26

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 24-26

Meditatio/Reflection:

We all have struggles in life. Rebekah was especially not excluded from this. Just like Sarah, Rebekah was also barren and could not have any children. And I feel as if that truly injured her because she sounds like she really wants to have children. So Issac prayed to God for a child and God heard his prayer. The Lord gave Rebekah the ability to bear a not only one child, but twins. However, Rebekah still struggled with the children in her womb as they fought within her. She in so much physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional pain that she says, "'If it is to be this way, why do I live?'". (Genesis 25:22) She is so broken over her ability to not be able to naturally bear children and take care of her precious babies whilst they struggle within her that she asks why she even exists. I can see how hard it is for a woman to try to conceive and learn that she is not able to. I've also seen the affects of a miscarriage and the loss of a newborn baby. It is one of the hardest things that a woman can go through in her life.

I have an aunt and uncle who cannot have any children of their own. And I know that almost everyday my aunt would go and pray to God for a child. She was so very lost about what she was supposed to do. She sadly never had any of her own, but she did adopt. She adopted two little Korean boys and loves them as if she had given birth to them. So I guess that God provides in His own ways.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for all of my healthy cousins and the way that all of my family lives pretty close by.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh God, please look after my mother and reduce her stress. Please also look all of the women who have had complications or tragedies with having children.



Quote of the Day:

"If a shooting star was every time I thought about you, I would own the whole galaxy." -Raye Hunter

Genesis 16-23

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 16-23

Meditatio/Reflection:

Sarah and Abraham tried so many times to have a child of their own. It never worked out on their own, until they had help from God. God promised Abraham that Sarah would have a child even in her old age. Little did Abraham know, she was listening to their conversation. So when Sarah heard all this, she laughed thinking that it was impossible. She definitely did not fully put her faith in God. But God heard her and asked her why she laughed. Then Sarah did what Adam and Eve did, as well as Cain, "But Sarah denied saying, 'I did not laugh'; for she was afraid. He said, 'Oh, yes, you did laugh.' (Genesis 18:15) So not only did she not trust God's word but, she also tried to lie to him.

I, myself, am guilt of not trusting fully in God. Sometimes I don't believe his plan for me is the best or that it's all apart of life. However, I am slowly understanding why something happens or why it doesn't. I should not test God for all the tests he puts me through because one day it will all make sense. Sarah tried to deny not believing in his word. She did not remember that God made a covenant with us that He would never go back on His word or He shall die.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for God being the loving God He is and never giving up on me even when I give up on Him.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

I pray for my brother and myself. Help us to get along better.




Quote of the Day:

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” -Audre Lorde

Genesis 12-15

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 12-15

Meditatio/Reflection:

In Genesis 13, Abram is talking to Lot and trying to divide the land between the two of them. Abram handles it in the way that they do not fight over anything, but peacefully agree and stay friends. They way that Abram handled everything was beautiful. He said, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." (Genesis 13:8-9) He basically shares the land that is his and he doesn't hesitate to offer it to his nephew. Even when Lot chooses the more "furnished" land, Abram does not argue.

In modern day life, not many people peacefully agree nor offer such important things. Usually the son of the father will take up the land but, Abram gives it to his nephew. Most people are selfish and only look at their well-being. They take what is theirs and hide it from others. We should learn from Abram and be more generous in what we give.

Thanksgiving:

I am thankful for my belongings and for all those who have shared with me. Whether it be food, a hug, or a part of themselves.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Please look after my mother, for she has sacrificed so much for me. My grandfather as well.



Quote of the Day:

“A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.” -John Ruskin

Genesis 4-11

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 4-11

Meditatio/Reflection:

One of the important questions that we often think about is why God put us here? Is he happy with what he has created? Does he truly love us or are we a mistake? Before God had flooded the earth, he felt sorry for putting us on the earth. He thought to himself, "And the Lord was sorry that he had made humankind on earth, and it grieved him to his heart." (Gen 6:6)  The way it is written, it almost sounds like he is embarrassed to have created us the way he had. So at this point it sounds as if we WERE a mistake. But you have to read the end of the sentence to truly understand. It says that "it grieved him to his heart". The true statement is that we may be flawed, but we still try. Some may be corrupted but others still try. And in that way God loves us. We are not abominations. God loves us the way he created us and we are beautiful. In Genesis 7, after God has flooded the earth, we slowly head back to evil and corruption. Yet, God does not flood the world once again. No. He promises to never flood the earth again. He accepts us for who we are and loves us, even when we mess up.

Please Love Yourself First, Always Keep Fighting, And Don't Forget That You Are Not Alone! You Are Beautiful And Even When You Think No One Loves You, I Do.

Oratio/Thanksgiving:

Dear Lord, thank you for my body. Thank you for my eyes, my brain, my heart, and my soul. Thank you for my personality and my life. Thank you for your forgiveness.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh God, please help all those who do not believe in themselves. All those who doubt themselves or others. Please show them that they are beautiful and they matter. Protect all those who feel lost and hopeless. Guide them towards life. Amen.

Quotes of the Day:

"Be kind to yourself so you can be happy enough to be kind to the world." -Misha Collins

"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Extra:

If you ever feel in a dark place, please call 911 or 1-800-273-8255.

For more information visit the page:

http://www.randomacts.org/programs/crisis-support-network/

Genesis 3

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 3

Meditatio/Refelction:

As I read the beginning of this passage I realized that the Apple could represent gossip in a way. The serpent or Satan spreads evil/apple to Eve, who in return gives it to Adam. Adam takes it obvious that this apple was from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In society today we can take and spread things without knowing they are evil and hurtful. And as the gossip spreads someone can be dehumanized or something can become a joke. But just as Adam and Eve are caught, one unlucky person gets caught spreading something they should not be spreading and they have consequences. Luckily for Adam and Eve, the serpent was quickly caught. There are a lot of times, however, where the wrong person is caught and the rumor has spread too far for that person to identify the original culprit.

Oratio/Thanksgiving:

Lord, that you for true and kind people. Without them, we are doomed. Thank you for the kind people you have put in my life. Thank you also the unkind people that have passed as well. They have taught me that I am kinder than I think and how never to treat someone.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Dear Lord, please protect those around me from rumors and gossip. Please also give me the strength to never spread anything rude and to never dehumanize anyone.



Quote of the Day:

“We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past; and we must respect the past, remembering that it was once all that was humanly possible.” -George Santayana

Genesis 1-2

Selected Lectio Reading:
Genesis 1-2

Meditatio/Reflection:

When the birth of women is described, God says, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." (Gen 2:18) Then reading on I saw that no bird or beast was found suitable for man. God was specially looking for a helper and he could not find that among the animals he searched. So he made women for the man. At first, when I saw that God was looking for a helper, I looked at it from the perspective of women being a slave to man. However my view changed when I looked over it a couple times. I realized that women was a "helper" in many different ways including, helping him keep himself sane as well as never longing for someone to be with forever. Men can love so deeply that everything else does not become important anymore. Women was supposed to be there with him through all the trials and tribulations that he would endure. And men have the same role as the women.

Oratio/Thanksgiving:

Lord, thank you for my gifts. Thank you for giving me so many talents and for seeing so much in me. You have given me hope and love through these gifts. And there is nothin more I shall want.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

Oh God, I pray for my friend of seven years who is burdened by the loss of her dog which she had a strong connection with. Please givde her the strength to continue with her good schoolwork and to keep filling her with joy.



Quote of the Day:

"I have not lived a good life, my love, but please know that it was softer with you in it." - Unknown

Psalm 23: The Divine Shepard

Selected Lectio Reading:
Ps 23


Meditatio/Reflection:

Since David was a shepherd, he's looking to the Lord as his shepherd. And just as the sheep lie down and eat in the pasture, so David is trusting God to take care of him. It reminds me that I need to trust God with everything, even the hard stuff. Because if he feeds the sheep, he will take care of me. I need to remember that if he lead David down the right path, he will do the same for me if I ask. My biggest thing is that I need to remember to ask.

Oratio/Thanksgiving:

Lord, this week I thank you for my friends. They are my anchors and hold me together with such power and love. I  am forever grateful for sending me comfort and happiness.

Oratio/Prayer Intention:

I pray for my family, Lord. I pray that they will each find their way to eternal happiness and to you. I ask that you guide me through rough moments and open my eyes to your grace. Amen.




Quote of the Day:

"Rome is built on ruins and is quite breathtaking; what makes you think you can't be too?" -Unknown