Life Verses The Sweetness of Scripture

A discussion among St. Richards Mens Ministry June 1, 2011 Facilitator: Jeff Meacham Background Reading: Outline, Official Roman Catholic Teachings on the Bible compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. (attached)

Introduction
Although raised and educated as a Catholic, it was not until age 39 that I really ever studied scripture as a personal means of growing in faith. The last 10+ years have brought me back again and again to the sweetness of Sacred Scripture, and I believe with all my heart that God speaks to us through his divine revelation and the power of the Holy Spirit in scripture. On certain occasions, a scripture passage, verse or even a word seems to speak directly to a particular issue, struggle, path or choice we face. God does indeed speak to our hearts, and I have enjoyed hearing His voice in such a manner. But in addition to these moments of personal awakening, there are special verses in scripture which seem to resonate to the very core of our being, to the wiring of our personality and life story. These are the Life Verses which become a sort of personal motto, a touchstone to which we can return time and again, or a much-needed reminder of our sinfulness and our need for salvation through His mercy.

Some of my Life Verses

Confidence: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear your Father knows [your needs]. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (LK 12) Communion: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I riseFor you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's wombAll the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (PS 139) Integrity: You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (MT 5:14-16) Compassion: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these. (MK 12:30-31) Perseverance: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (JAS 1)

Surrender: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (PR 3:5-6) Humility: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant (PHP 2) These are just a handful of the many scriptures to which I return again and again to inform my attitudes and my choices related to family, work and community. I thank God for His revelation through the Word made flesh and look forward to continued growth in faith by paying attention to his Word.

Questions to consider: 1. What strikes you or moves you in the background article, Official Roman Catholic Teachings on the Bible? 2. What methods do you use to study scripture? What works for you? 3. When has the Holy Spirit moved you while reading or listening to scripture? When have you felt like God was speaking directly to you? 4. What are your own Life Verses? Will you share one in particular with the group?