Arrogant shepherds appear at the beginning of the reading, boasting as the Pharisee in yesterday’s parable. Hear the Lord’s outrage against such ones.

We are reminded of the suffering of Jesus, as we encounter verses from this prophet that Matthew and John have on their hearts in their passion narratives (Matt 27:3 ff; John 19:37).

Listen for the sounds of mourning that rise up from the people as they grieve—sounds in harmony with the expression of sorrow of the Publican of yesterday’s Gospel. The verse for the day reminds us the Holy Spirit stirs such groans as birth pangs of the new creature you will become when you are dead to self.

Zechariah 11—12

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Looking on the one I’ve pierced. 12:10

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.

We listen to the awesome words that recount the beginning of the universe. On fire with faith, our imaginations behold the work of God. God’s word is God’s work. This pattern recurs as a rhythm: “God said” … and then “God saw that it was good.”

The word “universe” literally means “The one thing that turns.” Make it personal—“The One who turns.” The description of creation takes place in thirty-four “turnings” we call “verses” in the Bible.

It took over three years for Michelangelo to recreate the creation of God onto the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. As you come to the place of the beginning of the Jewish Torah cycle, may the Bible’s 30,442 verses, turn your whole being each day into a sacred chapel/temple that reflects the beauty and handiwork of God.

Genesis 1:1—6:8

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Making me in Your image. 1:27

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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

We enter the scene of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus and the poignant denial of Peter. Jesus experiences the loneliness of being abandoned by his intimate friends. Only after the resurrection and the coming of the Spirit will Peter and the other disciples who had deserted Jesus surround the Lamb once again, as promised in the verse from yesterday’s reading. The blasphemies described in that reading are present on the lips of Jesus’persecutors. What irony: after such atrocious behavior before the Lamb, Jesus’ persecutors accuse him of blasphemy!

Be present as a silent, faithful witness of Jesus sufferings. Feel every word and turn of events. Slow down the movement of Jesus’ suffering so that you can receive each one as so many drops of his blood filling your lifecup with the sacrament of his presence.

Luke 22:47–71

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Jesus, you’re the Son of God. v. 70

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Luke 19:28 to 24:53.

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.