Today’s Catholic Bible Study is so good! There’s was a lot of notes taken between the different sections of reading: Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. A lot of great reminders and some conviction. I would love to know what you gleaned from today’s reading. Share your thoughts in the comments.
Catholic Bible Study
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
Sirach 7:29-39
Our father’s life is bound up in the boy’s life
Genesis 44:30
Hello! Welcome to parenthood! People always say, “Don’t worry, things will change when your children become parents; then they’ll understand or get it, or at least see things from a parent’s perspective.”
But don’t be angry with ourselves that you did this to me for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.
Genesis 45:5
I wonder how I would take life on, if my first thought was, “God did it,” and not, “What the heck! Where did this come from?!!?” And then the part about God sending him ahead to preserve their lives…I can think of multiple people and their maybe, not so great circumstances, that it turns out, actually probably saved their lives. I mean they were living fast, loose, and wild and what seemed like a tragedy at the time, turns out to have been the thing that saved their life–maybe even literally. And…AND brought them back into friendship with God.
God is so good all the time!
Weeping with joy
Genesis 45:14
Oh my goodness! I cry so easily! I used to hate it, but I now realize and somewhat accept, it’s just how God made me. And when I say somewhat…I don’t mind crying so much when I’m happy or sad. What I absolutely cannot stand is crying when I’m frustrated, like in a disagreement. I think it completely distracts from the conversation and discussion. I also think it looks like the other person has gotten to me, or gotten the upper hand; like it’s a sign of defeat or weakness. Honestly, it’s the exact opposite, a lot of times it comes because I’m working really hard to listen and respond, not from emotion–I’m trying to hold back my knee-jerk emotion and lots of times just end up crying in frustration. Ugh!
Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and then they began talking freely with him.
Genesis 45:15
Well, hmmm, this kind of puts what I said in the previous passage in a different light. What if my tears affect the other person so we can start talking freely with each other in a disagreement? What if it’s not a sign of weakness to the other person, but the vulnerability needed to free the conversation? Does that make sense?
Don’t quarrel along the way…
Genesis 45:24
Oh my goodness this makes me laugh!!!
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone.
Matthew 14:13
Sometimes I forget Jesus was completely God AND completely man; He felt emotion, He cried, He needed time alone to process His thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This is always such a great reminder that He truly gets it and He truly cares.
Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he sent the people home.
Matthew 14:22
I’m sure this isn’t deeply theological but this is my take on this–Jesus doesn’t always need my help with people, LOL! He was completely capable of handling the people and sending them home without the help of the apostles! Man, if only I could remember this! Think of how much free time I could have if I let Jesus take care of the people…without my help.
Afterwards, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
Matthew 14:23
Jesus spent time in prayer to recharge and refresh. This is an example to me to keep my friendship with God a priority–especially when I’m tired! This summer I was too tired to go to the gym, so I didn’t…and that made me more tired, not less!!! So when I think I don’t have time or energy to pray, I especially need to pray!!!
“It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27
How many times does my Lord say this to me? How many times can I NOT hear Him because I’m too busy flailing and thrashing around because I’m panicking?!?
But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me Lord!” he shouted.
Matthew 14:30
“But when Jenny looked around at the high-stress situations–real or just exaggerated in her mind, she gets terrified and feels like she’s going under! “Save me Lord!” she shouts.
Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.
Matthew 14:31
Instantly! I wonder how long Peter thought it took? He probably didn’t think instantly?
If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won’t limp or stumble as you run.
Proverbs 4:12
Well, “Live” is my one word for 2021, so that always catches my attention. “A life guided by wisdom…” Wisdom is one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, so I have that gift living in me. But a life guided by wisdom??? Um, maybe not always?
Carry out my instructions; don’t forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.
Proverbs 4:13
Carry out the Lord’s instructions! Don’t just read them, think about them, share them on social media, wear them on a graphic tee, or stick the bumper sticker on my car. Carry them out!!!
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