Category: Scripture

Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 14 July 2014

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.

Psalm 46, Verses 1-2

 
There is always comfort to be found in the word of God. No matter what trials, tribulations, or tragedies we may have to face, He is always there. His grace and His comfort surround us like loving arms.

These verses from Psalms remind us that we get our strength from God and we find our refuge in Him. This morning in my quiet time I read this prayer: “No matter what I go through, O God, you go through it with me. Where I am, you are. Amen”.

Dedicated to the extended Hay family members on the passing of Ruth Ellen Hay.

Blessings,

Margo
14 July 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Psalm 46:1-2

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 30 June 2014

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians, 4, Verses 6-7

 
There is such total comfort contained in these two short verses from Philippians.

We are encouraged “not to worry about anything”. We are also encouraged to bring everything to God. That includes worries, concerns, and anxieties as well as hopes, wants, needs and desires. But it is the way in which we are to bring them to Him that struck me as being so important: through prayer and supplication. So we are invited to pray to God and plead with God about everything of importance and even those things that may seem trifling to us in the bigger scheme of things.

“With thanksgiving”. I almost missed those two words in the reading. When we speak to God in prayer and supplication, we are to do it “with thanksgiving”. This implies an inner understanding that God is going to answer our prayers. What a blessing! And alongside answered prayers we will receive the peace of God, the kind of peace that we cannot fully comprehend on the human level. And this peace will keep us fully connected to Jesus Christ. Amen!

Blessings,

Margo
30 June 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Philippians 4:6-7

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 23 June 2014

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew, 28, Verse 19

“While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat, this is my body.’”

Matthews, 26, Verse 26

 
These verses from Matthew encompass two special feast days in the liturgical calendar of mainstream Christian churches – the celebration of the Trinity and the celebration of Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ. Along with the celebrations of the Ascension and Pentecost, these two feast days are like a “last hurrah” after the rich drama of the Easter Season, and they lead us into the long quiet period of “ordinary time” that will eventually lead us back into the celebration of the birth of Christ.

At the heart of these two feast days lie the central mysteries of Christian faith: the three persons in the one God, and the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Father sent the Son and the Son promised the Spirit, and we need all three to accomplish our spiritual journey. Jesus gave us Himself not just in His personal sacrifice on the cross for our salvation, but also in the intimate sacrament of the Eucharist. As we ponder these mysteries, let us also remember that we are the Body of Christ.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Corinthians 12:27

It is now up to us to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations”

Blessings,

Margo
23 June 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Matthew 28:19 & Matthew 26:26

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 09 June 2014

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans, 15, Verse 13

 
Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Today is the day that Christ fulfilled the last remaining promise to His disciples, and therefore to us: He sent us the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, to be with us always. Notice how this verse repeats the word “hope”. Jesus sends us the gift of the presence of the Holy Spirit so that we may always be filled with hope, no matter what difficulties or tragedies we may encounter in life.

As we focus on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, let us also remember the gifts that He gives us – as He so chooses “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). In using these precious gifts, we are then showered with the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). What a blessed inheritance Jesus conferred upon us in the Spirit. Let us be grateful and use our gifts wisely.

Blessings,

Margo
09 June 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Romans 15:13

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 03 June 2014

While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.

And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy;

and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke, 24, Verses 51-53

 
The feast of the Ascension has been somewhat “lost in the mix” of the liturgy of the Church. In fact, in America, it no longer has its own special day – Ascension Thursday – but has been fused into the Sunday following what would have been Ascension Thursday. And yet the Resurrection of our Lord would not be compete without it. He needed to go to the Father to fulfill the promise of eternal life, to prepare a place for us.

In this scripture from Luke, notice that the last thing Christ did before being ”carried up into heaven”, was to bless His disciples. As a result “they worshiped Him” and were filled with joy and then they went to the temple to bless God. Let us be aware of the many ways that God continues to bless us daily. Hopefully we are then drawn to worship Him in the temple of our own lives and to bless Him in return.

Blessings,

Margo
03 June 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Luke 24:51-53

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 26 May 2014

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly;

teach and admonish one another in all wisdom;

and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.

Colossians, 3, Verse 16

 
The word “richly” drew me instantly and deeply into this scripture verse. Whenever something is described as “rich”, for me it indicates that there is more to it than meets the eye; there is deeper meaning or quality. When a cake is “richer”, there is usually some extra special ingredient(s) involved.

And so as we heed the invitation to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”, perhaps we can imagine the word as that extra special ingredient that will enrich our spiritual lives. As we study scripture and share the lessons learned therein, we can support and nourish each other on our individual spiritual journeys. When we gather together to worship, reading the word and singing songs of praise, let us offer gratitude to our “richly” deserving God.

Blessings,

Margo
26 May 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Colossians 3:16

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 19 May 2014

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Psalm, 62, Verse 5-7

 
Make time to sit in the majesty of God’s awesome creation and sit in silence. It is in the silence that we give ourselves the chance to truly hear God’s voice. When we eliminate the noise and chatter caused by busy schedules and other distractions, we create the perfect “chapel hush” that allows us to hear God with our hearts as He speaks to us from His.

Then we begin to realize what a mighty rock and refuge God is for us. He gives us the strength to face the difficulties that we encounter in our lives. He supports us as we climb the mountain and allows us to rest in Him when we reach the plateau. He becomes our safe fortress.

Blessings,

Margo
19 May 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Psalm 62:5-7

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Weekly Scriptutal Reflection for 05 May 2014

When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you.

When you look for me, you will find me.

Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord.

Jeremiah, Chapter 29, Verse 12-14

 
The Bible shows us many occasions when Jesus prayed. Jesus knew well the power of prayer and constantly called on his Father to give him the strength to fulfill his mission on earth. In fact, Jesus started his ministry with prayer when he was baptized by John the Baptist and he ended it with prayer at his crucifixion. The whole of Chapter 17 in the Gospel of John is a passionate and deeply moving prayer by Jesus to his Father for his followers – that includes us. If Jesus found prayer to be an important part of his relationship with his Father, and if it gave him sustenance for his life’s work, then surely we should be encouraged to follow his example.

Let us make prayer the mainstay of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we develop and deepen that relationship. It is through prayer that we become intimate with God. It is through prayer that we learn to depend on God, to feel ourselves being held in his loving arms. As well as having dedicated quiet times for prayer let us make of our everyday lives a living prayer.

Blessings,

Margo
05 May 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Jeremiah 29:12-14

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 28 April 2014

Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying…

“This is my body, which will be given up for you; do this in memory of me.”

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying…

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

Luke, Chapter 22, Verse 19

 
The Easter Triduum is so rich in ritual that I sometimes lose sight of the awesome gift of Himself that God gave us in that moment. Right there on Holy Thursday, before the unfolding events of the agony, the trial, the death and resurrection of Christ, God establishes the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. And what seemingly was offered as the appetizer, turns into the main course – literally. Christ offers Himself as our nourishment for all time. From that precise moment onward we are invited to share fully, deeply and intimately in relationship with our God. Through the Eucharist Christ becomes one with us and we with Him.

What a glorious and amazing gift!!

Richard thought it rather appropriate to share these stunning photos of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, GA as a backdrop to the reflection this week. I think they convey the sense of awe, majesty and mystery that is The Eucharist.

Blessings,

Margo
28 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Luke 22:19

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Weekly Scriptural Reflection for 21 April 2014

Then go quickly and tell his disciples

“He has been raised from the dead

and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him.”

Behold, I have told you.

Matthew, Chapter 28, Verse 7

 

The wording of Matthew’s description of the Resurrection is the only one of the four Gospels to indicate a sense of urgency. The angel at the tomb tells the women, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples…”. The news is important, so important that it needs to be told – quickly.

As I sat in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, FL yesterday morning for an amazingly beautiful Easter Mass rich in ritual, I could not help but feel that same sense of urgency to “tell the good news”. As the magnificent organ played the last resounding chords of the final piece of music, it was as though it was urging us to run out into the square and shout out, “Alleluia! He is risen!”.

Rereading this verse I realize that this scene sets the stage for our journey as disciples of Jesus. The angel invites the women in, then tells them to go out and tell. This is the same invitation to evangelization that we receive at the end of every Mass we attend. So let’s go out and proclaim The Word.

Blessings,

Margo
21 April 2014

See the video reflection that accompanies this post – Matthew 28:7

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