Though the persons of the Trinity never act alone, their separateness does suggest modes in the life of grace that honor each person of the Trinity in a special manner. Advent to Epiphany stirs within us a longing for God as Creator and Father to intervene in an unjust and sinful world. God does this: Jesus, Messiah and Son of God is born. The season of Lent and Easter focuses upon the saving acts of Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection. This third season is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, taking its name from the festival linked to the Spirit—Pentecost.

The church in the west has been celebrating Trinity Sunday on the Sunday after Pentecost since 1334. We gather the movement of God over the previous seasons, into a single contemplation of the wholeness of God. You do the same today.

Matthew 28:16–20

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You with me, now and always

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During Lent and Easter, we read from the Gospel of John.

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.

 Go beyond the details of the offerings and the repetitions of the objects offered, to the overall feeling of the passage. These are as the memorials offered when churches are built. The names of the families give a sense that they are part of the sacred building that is now complete and ready for worship.

The first and final verses of this chapter frame the content. Moses anoints the tabernacle and its furnishings, heightening the sense of the sacred. The passage closes with a description of how God communicates with the people—to Moses first, and through him to others. The chapter is about being in touch with God.

You have access to the presence of God through those speaking who are one with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. In Christ, you are greater than Moses!

Numbers 7:1–89

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Naso (Census) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.
Numbers 4:21—7:89

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Unity in bond of peace Eph 4:3

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

Shavuot was originally a spring harvest in Israel. The first wheat was ripe about fifty days after the first barley harvest. The crop of barley was brought to the Temple the day after Passover began. The people were then instructed to count fifty days or seven weeks from one harvest to the other.

As time passed, the festival became one to celebrate the revelation of God on Sinai, the true harvest of God’s life to the human family. The very meaning of the word Torah is to rain or flow down. The Torah Reading is the giving of the Ten Commandments found in Portion 17 B and C, God’s revelation and teaching flowing down the mountain.

There is a tradition of taking a long nap the afternoon before the beginning of Shavuot, which begins at sundown. This is to be ready to participate in an all night vigil that many Jewish communities observe. One mystical work praises those who stay up all night in expectation of receiving the Torah.

The Christian expression of this revelation is the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples—the flowing down of God’s Spirit upon us.

Exodus 19:1—20:26

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Speak to me: I will listen. 20:18

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