But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. (Romans 11:17-18) The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the olive tree to describe how God has included the Gentiles in …
Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 Reflection Questions: Matthew alerts us to a time sequence in the first verse of our Gospel passage: Six days later… This detail signals that the event to be described is connected in some way to what happened prior. Sit with Matt.16:21-28 as you begin your reflections for this week. Matt.16:21 through Matt. …
Christians for centuries have practiced varied forms of praying just before they go to sleep. Everything from monastic and liturgical forms of Evening Prayer or Compline, the Ignatian Daily Examen to simple prayers of thanksgiving or a gestured surrender of care to God. Communing with God before sleep provides the body and soul a sacramental …
Read more “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit… Bed-Time Praying”
Reading: Matthew 4:1-10 Reflection Questions: As you sit with the passage of Scripture, what do you notice about Jesus’ relationship with the Holy Spirit? How does the knowledge of this relationship effect your perspective of Christ’s experience in solitude as he faces the tempter of souls and confronts the common temptations of humanity? Does this …