Life Giving Bread

We all think we know what we are doing, right? We live in a society of know-it-alls. How often have you given advice or judged others based on your knowledge? Or, how often have you made plans based on what you think will happen in the future? In this week’s readings, Saint James stresses that God is the only one who knows the future and knows what is right and wrong. He is THE judge and THE know-it-all. Therefore, pray to Him for guidance and submit your life to His will. (see James chapter 4)

In chapter 5, Saint James stresses additional dos and don’ts (be patient for the coming of the Lord, do not grumble, do not swear) as well as he warns the wealthy who take advantage of the less-fortunate, namely their employees. Moreover, he writes about the Anointing of the Sick and the importance of prayer.

This is the third and final week for studying the Letter of Saint James. This week, please read and discuss chapters 4 and 5. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 3 page under James, 1&2 Peter, Jude or on the LGB Facebook page.

Have you ever heard the saying “Do what I say, not what I do?” This is a response that a parent may say to a child in attempt to have the child act in an appropriate way. It means that the parent has acted inappropriately and the child may be trying to use their parents actions as an excuse to do the same. It reminds us, though, that an influential person must be mindful of what they do as well as what they say, since it affects others.

In this week’s readings, Saint James stresses the importance of our actions as well as our speech. From chapters 2 and 3, we read that to live according to our faith we must show respect to all people, exemplify our faith in our actions, be mindful of what we say, and act so as to foster peace and mercy rather than selfish ambition.

This week, we will read and discuss chapters 2 and 3. Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 2 page under James, 1&2 Peter, Jude or on the LGB Facebook page.

It is now time to begin studying the Letter of Saint James!

This week, we will read and discuss the introduction and 1st chapter of James. Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 1 page under James, 1&2 Peter, Jude or on the LGB Facebook page.

Do you think before you speak? Moreover, do you listen before you speak?  I know at times during conversations or disagreements that we are so focused on what we will say next that we don’t hear what the other person is saying.  Is this true for you when it comes to God speaking to you? Do you ramble on about what you want to tell God and then not listen for His response?  Even more so, when you do listen, do you act according to what He tells you?  It isn’t enough to just hear, we must also act (see James 1:22). What has God told you, and how have you responded?

This week, we complete our study of St. Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians.

As a mother of three, soon to be four, children, I understand a parent’s love for their children and their hope for the best for their children.  In the 2nd Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Paul expresses this same love and hope for his “children” in Corinth.  He hopes that they have not been led astray by “false prophets.”  In all, what he really wants for them is for them to grow spiritually . . . to strengthen their bond with God.  Don’t we all want this for our kids?  If you could have one wish for them, wouldn’t it be to have a close relationship with God, since that relationship will not only benefit them in this life, but also in eternal life?

Children may not always show their appreciation for their parents, especially when the kids are still young.  However, I’d imagine that in the long run, the people of Corinth, as well as all children of parents who try to raise them with the right morals and love for God, are thankful for those who put them onto the right path.  And hopefully, in the end, we can at least say we tried out best, just like St. Paul.

This week, we will read and discuss chapter 13 (2 Corinthians 13:1-14). Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 7 page under 2Corinthians or on the LGB Facebook page.

In this week’s readings, we see that St. Paul had to defend himself against false prophets, because the Corinthians did not stand up on his behalf.  Have you ever had to defend yourself against false criticisms?  Have you ever had to defend the Catholic Church?  In either instance, what did you use, or what should you have said or done, to counter the allegations? What has God done to help you?

This week, we will read and discuss chapters 11 and 12 (2 Corinthians 11:1-12:21). Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 6 page under 2Corinthians or on the LGB Facebook page.

In today’s society, materialism is very strong.  The pull to have the best or the newest gadget, car, clothes, house, etc. can make it even more difficult to be willing to share one’s wealth with the less fortunate.  We are constantly bombarded with information that says that we deserve the best and that our worth is based on what we have.  However, as we learn in our studies this week, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We are to give, not reluctantly, what we can to help others.  As a result, God blesses us according our generosity.  Therefore, we must ask ourselves the following:

• How blessed am I?
• What effect does materialism have on me?
• What can I do without (i.e. new clothes, the latest cell phone, high-priced coffee, cable television, dinner out, etc)?
• Am I a “cheerful giver?”

This week, we will read and discuss chapters 9 and 10 (2 Corinthians 9:1-10:18). Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 5 page under 2Corinthians or on the LGB Facebook page.

Do you have people in your family or close friends that have left the Catholic faith?  While reading 2 Corinthians 7, I could not help but think of those I know who have been swayed somehow to leave the Church.  Their reasons are varied, like hurt, anger, materialism, selfishness, self-righteousness, ignorance, etc. However, in every case it is (or will be) something to rejoice when they come back! I imagine it is something like what Paul felt when he found out that the Corinthians felt bad about the crisis that had been going on in their community (i.e. people were following “false” prophets and turning away from Paul) and they were turning back to follow him. Wouldn’t it be nice if our fellow brothers and sisters realized their error in leaving the Church?

Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions regarding the readings by posting your comments on the Week 4 page under 2Corinthians or on the LGB Facebook page.