This past December, I challenged myself to read the Bible using a checklist from Elizabeth Clare’s website: – practical solutions for the modern catholic (elizabethclareblog.com). I love her website for her practical resources for all ages. Her recommended reading list is a must read for all Catholics, and she offers free pintables for all age group. This is where I found her “The (Catholic) Bible in 360 Day Challenge” ) (Catholic Bible 365 (elizabethclareblog.com).
I have been more or less consistent in keeping to the reading schedule. I got a bit behind in my reading during holidays, and, on days I am busy with work. I don’t stress about it, but rather I pick up where I left off, and say a prayer asking for God’s guidance to help me focus.
At first I didn’t understand why the readings were divided into 3 parts. It made sense after a week of using the 360 Day Challenge. It mirrors and recalls the order of the Mass. It is organized with the reading, responsorial Psalm, and then the Gospel (New Testament),
It was a challenging start for me to read the Book of Job. I must admit there were countless moments when I was unsure if it’s meaning. I grumble about the prose and language of this book, until I realized they are dialogues going back and forth between Job and his many friends. The old testament gives me new insights into the history and backdrop to God and pre Christianity. The New Testament reading is revealing and full of insights and teachings as I journey with Jesus through His ministry. I feel my heart pull at times when I see the underhanded political and power interplay by the Pharisees and those in position of authority against Jesus.
Reading the Bible regularly is how God communicates with me. It is through reading and mediating upon God’s inspired words, that I get intimate insights into His nature, along with what His will for me is. Reading with an opened mine and praying with a sincere heart is my food for the mind and soul. Lately I feel much closer to Jesus. I still have an off day. Sometimes I honestly don’t feel like reading. It’s when I feel like this that I supplement it with extra prayer and ask for discipline and focus. Sometimes taking a day off is good as it gives me extra time to think about what I have read. Sometimes, there are moments in my life – an experience – that helps reinforce or add to something I have just read, and which I may not have understood. Time off gives me a chance to process and have deeper insight. I call these moments – God’s whispers (His hand in moving in our lives).
Like writing, there are days when I feel I have nothing to say. There have also been moments when I feel spiritually overwhelmed, and I cannot translate and articulate from heart to mind, and, from mind into words. It has taken me a few days of quite meditation and prayer for me to write today. Praise be to God!
I want to share with all something from my reading today – Luke 5. I was so touched by this chapter, especially by the faith of the woman who hemorrhaged for 12 years. Regardless of the crowd that surrounded Jesus, she pressed against the crowd and made her way to Jesus. Being barely an arms length away, she stretched to touch his cloak.
28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29
Mark 5:28
She was immediately healed.
She was healed by her faith:
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 5:34
I was touched by her strength of faith. It reminds me that as long as I have faith in Jesus, I can move mountains. In my case, it is to write again and share with you – Jesus!
God Bless 💖
Be Inspired! 