Monday, May 12, 2025

Bible Study for May 14, 2025

Hi everyone,

The Scripture readings for this Sunday mark the beginning of Jesus being glorified, and that glory is his death on the cross, the sign of his love, and the source for a loving community. This Eastertide invites us to witness to the resurrection by mutual love and by trusting God to create the new in the world.

TO JOIN ONLINE

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Pastor Tim

"God has led you to the desert, and spoken to your Heart."

Mount of Olives Lutheran Church

3546 E. Thomas Rd

Phoenix, AZ 85018

602-956-1620 office

Bible Study for May 18, 2025

Opening Prayer:

Creator of all, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in study. Open our minds and hearts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, unite us in faith, hope, and love. Help us to be faithful to the gospel and to walk humbly with you. Grant us your peace as we grow in wisdom and understanding. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 13:31-35 Rather than “giving up” His life on the cross, Jesus “gave away” His life out of the fullness of His love and commitment. What do you make of this distinction?

During a final meal with his followers, Jesus instructed them about the meaning of being disciples. He washed their feet, symbolically embodying what it means to be in relationship with Him and modeling the life of servanthood. He instructed them directly: they are to imitate Him in communal service. In the Gospel of John, this is the only explicit commandment that Jesus gave—and He gave it not to the multitudes, but to his followers. The commandment was not a surprise. Jewish Christians would recognize in the Torah the divine injunction to love in community. What was new was that Jesus rooted it in His incarnation. Jesus’ love for His disciples was not a denial of His life for their sake, but an expression of the fullness of His relationship and love for them. Jesus remained committed to His values and beliefs and followed his vocation where it led Him.

Revelation 21:1-6 Revelation predicts massive destruction and death before God’s new earth arrives for the faithful. What have you been taught in your life of faith and learning about how God may bring this new era into being?

Most of Revelation is concerned with John’s vision of God’s plan for judgment of the earth. However, in Chapter 21, the vision turns to what will happen after God’s judgment. John is shown “a new heaven and a new earth.” The vision would not have been amazing to firstcentury Christians, for it echoes the final chapters of Isaiah, and they generally believed this would happen soon, perhaps even in their lifetime. The New Testament is full of images of a godly commonwealth. Jesus ushered it in, but it is not yet complete. It is the “already-here, not-yet-fully come” new earth of God. When God dwells with the people in the new earth, sadness, pain, injustice and death will cease. The thirsty (needy) will drink (benefit) from the water (grace-filled sustenance) of life. Peace, justice, and love will reign.

Closing Prayer

Alpha and Omega, First and Last,
glory outshining all the lights of heaven:
pour out upon us your Spirit
of faithful love and abundant compassion,

so that we may rejoice in the splendor of your works while we wait in expectation
for the new heaven and the new earth you promise when Christ shall come again. Amen.

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Part of the Plan

In the beginning, God created everything.

Galaxies and volcanoes, fireflies and diamonds, oak trees and great white sharks. Finally, saving the best for last, He created humans in His image—to fill the earth, reign over its creatures, and cultivate a world that magnifies Him.

But even before the beginning, God was already there. He spoke time and space into existence, while existing outside of time and space. And long before you were born, He already knew all about you—your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and failures.

He knew all about you and chose to make you… because He loves you!

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

You are God’s handiwork—sometimes translated as masterpiece, workmanship, or work of art.

You are also God’s masterpiece because of the unique spirit, personality, and gifts that have been uniquely wired in you.

Because we know that God is more brilliant than we could ever imagine, and because He loves us more than we could dare to hope, and because we know He writes great stories, we can trust what He has planned from beginning to end.

And His plan includes you. Yes, you! He has prepared good things for you to step into—meaningful relationships and impactful work. He is continually putting people and opportunities in your path, as well as working inside of you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13).

He has empowered you to partner with Him as we experience the greatest story on earth.

So as you consider how God has intentionally designed you and placed you at this specific point in history, what passions and callings has He placed on your heart? This could be one big thing, or several small things. As you think about that, what step do you need to take to pursue your calling with God-given confidence?

Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.2.10.NIV

Your Night Prayer

Learn More About Rembrandt's Sea of Galilee

A Night Prayer

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore You and thank You for all the graces You have given me this day. I offer You my sleep and all the moments of this night. I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in Your sacred side and under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother. Let Your holy angels stand watch and keep us in peace. Amen.

Quote of the Night

Can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?— Bl. Imelda Lambertini

Tonight’s Meditation

"Beginners must realize that in order to give delight to the Lord they are starting to cultivate a garden on very barren soil, full of abominable weeds. His Majesty pulls up the weeds and plants good seed. Now let us keep in mind that all of this is already done by the time a soul is determined to practice prayer and has begun to make use of it. And with the help of God we must strive like good gardeners to get these plants to grow and take pains to water them so that they don’t wither but come to bud and flower and give forth a most pleasant fragrance to provide refreshment for this Lord of ours." —St. Teresa of Avila, p. 52

An excerpt from Let Nothing Disturb You: 30 Days With St. Teresa of Avila

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Examination of Conscience

The daily examination of conscience is an ancient Catholic practice. It's very simple, and it's designed to help us identify our sins and weaknesses so that we can improve and grow stronger in the spiritual life. Basically, it consists in taking a few minutes at the end of the day to prayerfully review our actions in the light of God's commandments. The Act of Contrition is often said afterwards. The daily examination also serves as an excellent ongoing preparation for regular Confession.

Reflect on the victories and losses

Actively reflecting on the high and low points of the day can help you live more intentionally and bring a renewed sense of resolve into the following day.

Review your actions, words, and thoughts today. Did you actively guard yourself against temptation? Where did sin creep in?
In what moments did you practice virtue and moral courage?
Were you attuned to the Holy Spirit's promptings today? Where did you feel His inspiration?
Ask Him for the graces necessary to follow His Will more purposefully tomorrow.

Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.

Practice gratitude

It is God's love that has brought you into existence and to this exact moment. Practice looking for His hand in your day.

Where did you feel His loving gaze upon you today?
What people or moments helped you see God in your life?
Thank God for all these moments!
Ask Him to help you recognize His blessings and providence tomorrow.

Renew your commitment to Christ

Remember our Faith is founded upon a Person—Christ! Renew your personal love and devotion to Him.

Thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus and our call to be His disciples.
Tell the Lord of your desire to know Christ more personally.
If possible, set an intention for your day tomorrow. Ask Our Lord to guide you in this act.
Pray a Hail Mary, Our Father, or another beloved prayer.