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