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