Life Giving Bread

Let’s begin!

Today is the beginning of our study of the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. This week, please read the introduction in your study guide of 1st Corinthians, read chapters 1 and 2, ponder the questions below, and answer the questions regarding these chapters in your study guide.  In addition, please share your thoughts and/or answers on the Week 1 page or on the LGB Facebook page.

Has the Church ever been in perfect harmony?  Probably not, since it is human nature to sin.  Therefore, right from the beginning of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we see that St. Paul is speaking to all of us . . . to the Church in Corinth as well as to all members of Christ’s Church throughout time.

• While studying this letter, please ponder on your own faults and sins.  What is St. Paul saying to you?

In this first letter, St. Paul also addresses the pride that some of the members of the Church of Corinth have been showing.  They consider themselves wise.  However, wisdom comes from God.  Only God chooses who is wise by granting wisdom through the Holy Spirit.

• How wise are you?  How advanced are you spiritually?
• What relationship do you have with the Spirit?  Are you open to the Spirit’s guidance?
• How can you enhance your wisdom?

Have you ever had anyone say “I love you” to you and you did not return the sentiment? Awkward!  What kept you from saying “I love you” back?  Were you wondering about the other person’s intentions?  Were you shocked that person could love YOU?  Are you unlovable?  Or, were you placed in a situation in which you could not return the sentiment, because you did not want to lie?  In other words, you do not love that person.

Now, ask yourself, have you ever returned the “I love you” back to God?  He says it to us all the time.  How often do you say it back?  If you have never said it to Him, why not?  Do you feel unlovable?  Do you question why God loves you?  Or, have you just never thought of saying “I love you” to God, since you show your love in other ways?

Recently, possibly within the past month or so, I’ve started to actually says those three words, “I love you,” to God at least during my evening prayers.  Oh wow!  I never would have guessed what feelings I’d have with just those three words!  It is awesome!  It is like I’ve always wanted to say this to Him, and now I’m free to do so.

What brought on this change has been an accumulation of things.  I’m constantly becoming closer and closer to God.  My yearning to be nearer to Him and to do His will grows as time goes by.  Naturally, as a result of this, the welling-up of feelings inside have erupted forth in this true sentiment of my affection to my Father.  I decided to come out with it and tell Him how I truly feel.

As with anyone you would say “I love you” to, I do not suggest rushing to say these three words to God until you truly feel them.  Because then, and only then, will their meaning resonate within your soul.  It is a defining moment, and not one to take lightly.  But when the time comes, and you are ready, please share this love with Our Father.  It is about time you return the sentiment!

This is the fourth and final week of Advent.  Please read Week IV in the Advent Study guide, answer the corresponding questions, and feel free to share with the group on the LGB website or Facebook page.

For those who know me and my family well know that we have been going through a difficult situation this past week.  My father-in-law had minor surgery that was not so minor for him.  He almost died.  The knowledge that a simple surgery for most people is not so simple for him was concern enough.  However, the waiting for information while sitting at the hospital during and then after his surgery was somewhat excruciating for those of us there.  However, thanks to God, he made it through and we made it through as well.

One thing stands out over this past week.  If it wasn’t for my faith, I don’t know what I would have done.  I REJOICED in knowing that if it was his time, he was in good hands and we were in good hands. I PRAYED often, requested others to pray for my father-in-law and our family, and found solace in these prayers.  I GAVE THANKS to God for every sliver of hope and improvement in my father-in-law’s condition.  These three things helped me through this whole ordeal.

REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY ALWAYS, and GIVE THANKS ALWAYS.  In the reflection questions for this week’s readings, we are asked when there is a time in our lives when we were able to do this even though the circumstances were difficult.  This past week was a good example of when I did use these three directives and when these directives helped me. Please share your thoughts about this week’s material and/or the Reflection Questions. You can make a comment on this post’s page or on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.

I am so thankful for Advent and Christmas.  Throughout the year, there are times when hours, days, and possibly weeks can go by without much thought about the joy and hope that Jesus’ coming offers.  However, during Advent, we are given weekly reminders when we light the Advent Wreath and/or hear the weekly readings at mass. For some of us, we may even do a daily Advent activity.  These are reminders that the light is increasing.  We are getting closer to Jesus’ return, either in this lifetime or in the next. Then, once Christmas arrives, oh! What joy!  We sing His praises, we rejoice in His coming, and we can truly feel His love.

The downside of this time of year, though, is the commercialism and materialism that takes place.  For me, I know there is no greater time of the year where I am torn between buying things for others out of love or just out of habit.  Plus, the season pushes me as a mother to set a good example for my children and to teach them over and over again the meaning of Advent and Christmas versus the view that they are bombarded with on TV and all around.

This can be a blessing, though.  It motivates me to step off “society’s train” and proclaim my beliefs and my values so that they are hopefully passed down through generations and spread throughout the world.  The trick is to accept the responsibility to do this.  To be the voice of God for our children and all those we meet.  To be the voice “crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'” To help them to learn the necessity to repent and prepare for His coming, and to spread to them the joy and hope that Jesus Christ brings. WHAT BETTER GIFT COULD WE GIVE?

I hope everyone enjoyed the first week of the Advent Study.  We are now beginning the second week which continues on the theme of preparing for Christ’s coming.  We will read about God’s mercy and His open arms to accept us back when we repent.  He does not want us to suffer.  He wants us to work towards preparing for His arrival, so that we will be at peace with Him at the end of times.

Thank you to Bob for his wonderful comments last week!  I hope and pray that more of you will feel the Spirit within you to share your thoughts as well.  However, if you are not the “sharing” type, don’t fret.  Knowing that you are participating by reading and studying along with us is just as important.

God bless you all!