LOVE the Word®

When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 she was asked what we can we do to promote world peace. Her answer was simple: “Go home and love your family.”

Welcome Maureen, Sarah, Kathleen Marie, Kristen, and Beth, Bible Study Evangelista’s newest friends of the show! Thank you for loving and lifting me.

LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin.

L – Listen (Receive the Word.)

O – Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

F | Franciscan – Since I’ve had this song in my head since we started the Fruit of the Spirit series, it’s only charitable to share the ear worm with you!

I | Ignatian – Imagine you are one of the disciples gathered with Mary and the others after Jesus’ crucifixion. The doors are locked against the murderous mob. You huddle together for prayer, trying to draw a measure of comfort from one another, wondering about the crazy reports that Jesus is alive. What does it mean? Close your eyes and try to relive in your imagination, with as many sensory details as you can, what the feeling and conversation are among the disciples in that room.

Now, remembering that you are in His presence, call to mind a current situation in your life in which you lack peace. Imagine your situation is that locked room. You sit among the other disciples talking about your situation. What is said? What is the prevailing emotion?

What happens when Jesus appears in the middle of the room and says, “Peace be with you”?

A | Augustinian – When Jesus says “Peace be with you,” are His words promise, command, suggestion, or encouragement? As He says these words to you, what comes to mind?

T | Thomistic – Consider Jesus’ words on peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (Joh 14:27). What is the difference in the world’s peace and the peace Jesus gives you? What does the italicized phrase mean?

V – Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

What do you sense God wants you to do this week about what you’ve heard and observed with Him? Take some time to talk to Him about that in your journal or on your journal page (get a free page and user guide to the right).

E – Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Holy Spirit, may the “peace that passes all understanding keep my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.” + Amen.

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*LOVE the Word™ exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.

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Episode Resources

What practice brings you the most peace? Tell us how you cultivate peace in our Facebook discussion community, where you can also post or chat with others about your daily #LOVEtheWordtakeaway.

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Joy

Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II Document on Joy & Hope

This Week’s Video

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