Seeing is much more than simply noticing that something or someone is before you. It involves how you receive, understand, and are moved by what is there. More than eyes, the heart is the organ of sight.

We begin this final thirteen-week season that stretches before us with Jesus at a dinner with Pharisees “watching Him closely.” Imagine their squinted eyes and knitted brows as they behold Jesus’every move. These are not the wide-eyed eyes of those lost in wonder at the presence of God in Christ; rather they are the strifefilled glances of judgment, condemnation—stares that want to bind Jesus as tightly as the eyelids pressing about their eyes.

How do the eyes of your heart receive the teaching of Jesus about the etiquette of dinner invitations? Are you open to see beneath and beyond the world into the Kingdom? This week, be aware of your senses of sight and smell.

Luke 14: 1, 7–14

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Make me humble and simple. v. 11

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

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.

Persons on their deathbed are often able to put their things in order and make final arrangements before they die; so too in the case of Moses. Instructions are given about how the poor are to be treated and the ordinances for the freeing slaves. Once again, the commandment is stated about celebrating the three major pilgrim festivals—Passover, Pentecost (“Weeks”) and Tabernacles.

We often take for granted the yearly celebration of festivals and holidays. Of course, the word “holiday” is from “holy day.” Originally, the Lord commanded such celebrations as a way to fill the year with remembrances of God’s saving activity on behalf of God’s people. We are responding to the instruction given by God through Moses. How do you celebrate holidays? Are they holy … or not so holy?

Deuteronomy 15:1—16:17

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You’re blessing me here and now 15:4

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

May you feel joy as you read the remarkable prophecy about the Messiah. Matthew 2:6 quotes Micah; Luke and John concur (Luke 2:4; John 7:42). Be alert to engrave special verses in your heart by writing with your hand.

The traditional liturgy for Good Friday uses 6:3–5 as the basis for “The Reproaches.” As a wounded lover, God asks the people what he has done to merit such rejection, then recalls the blessings poured out upon the Chosen People.

In 6:6, there is a contrast between the anxiety of the people when they come to conviction, and what the Lord requires: “Only this: to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God” (6:8, Jerusalem Bible).

Find peace in the concluding image in v. 19. Unlike the Titanic, your sins will never be retrieved from the ocean floor!

Micah 5—7

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Act justly, love tenderly. 6:8

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.