No one sits down and consumes three meals of the day all at once. Similarly, you may want to take the nourishment from God’s Word today and divide it into smaller portions. Sense the contrasting movements of the chapter. Be with Jesus on the mountaintop as he seeks uninterrupted union with the Father before he calls the Twelve Apostles.

Think of it: Jesus prays. If the eternal Son of God sought out times for quiet prayer, how much more do you and I need to do the same. The absence of union with God in the lives of the Pharisees had them become the plaything of the forces of Satan through pride and religiosity.

Take time to listen to Luke’s counterpart to Matthew: “The Sermon on the Plain.” Read slowly … pray deeply … ponder the questions that Jesus puts to you.

Luke 6

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Blessing those who curse at me v. 27

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Peter urges his first recipients and us, his latest ones, to reverse the downward spiral of earthly lust into an ascent of virtues. There is a rising chain for us to climb with the energy of eight virtues, links in the upward movement. They are found in verses 5 to 7. Meditate upon each of them, sensing in your spirit how each yields to the next. Make each of these abstractions into inner spiritual realities by applying your senses to them, especially tasting each virtue as you receive the next one.

All of these, along with the theme of “knowledge of the Lord,” weave through this letter as gifts from God. Their source rests upon the greatest gift of all—divine life pulsing through our human, mortal flesh.

2 Peter 1:1–12

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Faith supported by goodness v. 5

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Tap here for a video meditation
on Psalm 104.

Ignatius of Loyola, Sixteenth Century founder of the Jesuits, closes a thirty-day retreat, The Spiritual Exercises, with what he calls “The Contemplation to Attain Divine Love.” In it, he describes God as being at work in creation. In the same way, a profound sense of the presence of God in all creation fills the psalmist. As he contemplates his world, every aspect is seen against the background of God’s presence.

God is not just “out there,” in a static, detached way. Rather is the Lord dynamically present creating saving events in your life. Trace the phrases of the psalm that express how God is at work. Allow your soul to vibrate with the same faith-awareness of the psalmist.

Verse 30 is found in ancient texts of the liturgy for Pentecost.

Psalm 104

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Spirit breathes; all created. v. 30

We follow a reading of the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information