May 25, 2013 PART 2 Discernment-the sixth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Sixth, grant us discernment, by which we may draw back from what is unhealthy. Scripture: Proverbs 29:19 (the Message) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. “We should always pray for help, but we should always listen
May 25, 2013 PART 3 Discernment-the sixth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Sixth, grant us discernment, by which we may draw back from what is unhealthy. Prayer of Discernment – the Sisters of Notre Dame Walk with me, good and loving God, as I journey through life. May I take Your hand and be led by Your Holy Spirit. Fill me, inspire me, free me to respond generously
May 25, 2013 PART 1 Discernment-the sixth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Sixth, grant us discernment, by which we may draw back from what is unhealthy. “God does not exist to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God.” ~Oswald Chambers I have always appreciated the insights of Oswald Chambers. Modern day folks will often mock ancient cultures who did
May 24, 2013 PART 4 Piety the fifth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. The word piety comes from the Latin word pietas, and it reflected an important value within the Roman culture which emphasized a person’s need to show respect to the gods and the Roman culture. It was often understood as the way one would win the
May 24, 2013 PART 3 Piety the fifth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. Appearing pious and acts of piety are two different things. It was Aristotle who reminded us of how a pious attitude is the tool of those who want to blow smoke (that’s my language). He wrote: “A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon
May 24, 2013 PART 2 Piety the fifth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bona venture Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. Aristotle: For though we love both the truth and our friends, piety requires us to honor the truth first. Karl Barth, the great theologian, wrote that faith is never identical with piety. Even at its purest form, piety is an occurrence of faith. I
May 24, 2013 PART 1 Piety the fifth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. Scripture: Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Thought for the Day: The author and speaker, Dallas Willard (who died a few weeks ago), said that “the greatest challenge the church faces today is to be authentic
May 23, 2013 PART 2 Knowledge the fourth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish what is good from what is wicked. The passages: “Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1st Corinthians 13:12b) and “…even the hairs on your head are all counted” (Matthew 10:30b) describe to us
May 23, 2013 PART 1 Knowledge the fourth of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish what is good from what is wicked. Scripture: Proverbs 22:3 The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it. Thought for the Day: The Hebrew word for see is Ra’ah. Though my Hebrew depends on the knowledge of others, it appears that
May 22, 2013 PART 1 Courage: the third of the Sevenfold Gifts, St. Bonaventure Third, grant us courage, by which we may ward off the attack of evil. Scripture: Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thought for the Day: E.B. White once wrote, “I can’t decide whether to enjoy the world or improve the world; that