Becky Eldredge's Blog, page 26
December 28, 2019
Living In Hope: The Holy Family
Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons of the year. They capture the very reason I hope in the first place. For the next 6 weeks of Advent and Christmas Retreat, we will be Living in Hope! Each week, we will focus on one person or persons who helps us live in hope through reflection questions, suggested action, and prayer — including the text of the Sunday readings for easy access.
**Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here!
WEEK 5: The Holy Family
Merry Christmas! I hope your celebration of Jesus’ birthday was full of joy!
Our companion for the week is the Holy Family. As Pope Francis reminded us during his visit to the United States in 2015, Jesus was sent to a family. Jesus learned about love, mercy, and hope through the concrete gestures of holiness that Mary and Joseph offered him growing up.
We, too, learn that we are loved and how to love by the concrete gestures of holiness we experience in our families and in our communities. This week, we will explore how the Holy Family modeled this for us. In addition, I invite you to consider what gestures of holiness are you being invited to offer to others?
Reflection:
1. Who helped you know that you were loved?
2. Who helps you know that you were capable of loving?
3. What concrete gestures of holiness in your own family and/or community taught you about God’s love for you and how to hope in God?
4. Where do you feel called to put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, and patience as the second reading this Sunday suggests?
5. What concrete gestures of holiness are you being invited to offer others in your family and community?
Action: Act of Service
As we look to the Holy Family for inspiration during the Christmas season, we come to understand their lives by their acts of service. Giving sacrificially was a call for each of them. When we model our lives after the Holy Family, giving of ourselves together is a great action to begin with.
In what ways could you and your family give of yourselves during this Christmas season? Finding a way to do so together will help deepen the celebration of the true meaning of Christmas.
Praying with the Word of God:
The below Readings are from the Sunday Readings for the Feast of the Holy Family. Pick one reading each day for prayer. Throughout the week, repeat the scriptures that capture your attention.
If you would like to pray with the daily readings this week in addition to the Sunday readings, the USCCB posts them daily here.
When praying with scripture, I invite you to try the prayer methods of Lectio Divina or Ignatian Contemplation. Here’s a one-page guide to Praying with Scripture and a handy Lectio Divina prayer card.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
Lectionary: 17
Reading 1: Sirach 3:2-6,12-14
God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.
My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128:1-2,3,4-5
R. (cf. 1) Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD,
who walks in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. Blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.
Reading 2: Colossians 3:12-21
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.
Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Go Deeper?
Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here! This retreat brings an individually directed retreat to you with one-on-one spiritual direction via online video-conference.
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through questions of discernment to joy, peace and clarity. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to wherever you are with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Christmas Resources from
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
December 21, 2019
Living In Hope: Mary
Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons of the year. They capture the very reason I hope in the first place. For the next 6 weeks of Advent and Christmas Retreat, we will be Living in Hope! Each week, we will focus on one person or persons who helps us live in hope through reflection questions, suggested action, and prayer — including the text of the Sunday readings for easy access.
**Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here!
WEEK 4: Mary
Happy 4th week of Advent! It’s hard to believe that we are in our final week of Advent and about to enter the Christmas Season.
This week, our companion is Jesus’ mother, Mary. To be honest, I did not fully understand Mary’s significance until I became a mother almost thirteen years ago. When our son was placed into our arms, though, everything changed. Suddenly, the miracle of Jesus’ birth and Mary’s role in it made sense.
Can you imagine holding the Messiah, and rocking God made flesh in the form of the infant? That is an image that gives me goose-bumps when I think about it.
Mary helps us live in hope because of her “yes” to God. Her “yes” opened the door to God becoming flesh. From his infancy, Mary noticed something unique about her son. Later, she called Jesus forth to perform his first miracle at the wedding of Cana.
Mary birthed the light of the world. As we prepare to celebrate her son’s birth on Tuesday, I invite us to ask ourselves, “Where does God need our yes?”
Reflection:
1. What are you pondering in your heart right now? What might God be inviting you to notice?
2. When have you leapt for joy at encountering Jesus in your world?
3. What is God birthing in your life right now? Where is God inviting you to help Christ enter the world today?
4. Where does God need your “yes”? How might Mary support you in having the courage to say “yes”?
5. How will you celebrate Jesus, the Messiah’s, birth?
Action: Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus this Week
As a child, our Christmas Eve celebration on my dad’s side was not complete until we sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. My great grandmother made a beautiful white star cake. It was adorned with so many candles that it seemed the entire cake was on fire. In the middle of our loud and joyful family Christmas celebration we would pause and sing “Happy Birthday to Jesus”.
This tradition continues in our own family today. While Grandma is no longer with us, every Christmas morning we place candles on whatever breakfast item we are eating, and we sing happy birthday. It reminds me that, even though Santa came to our house, our cause for celebration is the birth of the light of the world that occurred so many years ago in the form of baby Jesus.
How will you celebrate Jesus’ birth on Christmas day? How might Jesus’ mother, Mary, want you to celebrate her son’s birthday this year?
Praying with the Word of God:
The below Readings are from the Sunday Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Pick one reading each day for prayer. Throughout the week, repeat the scriptures that capture your attention.
If you would like to pray with the daily readings this week in addition to the Sunday readings, the USCCB posts them daily here.
When praying with scripture, I invite you to try the prayer methods of Lectio Divina or Ignatian Contemplation. Here’s a one-page guide to Praying with Scripture and a handy Lectio Divina prayer card.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 7:1-10-14
The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24:1-2,3-4,5-6
R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Reading 2: Romans 1:1-7
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
Go Deeper?
Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here! This retreat brings an individually directed retreat to you with one-on-one spiritual direction via online video-conference.
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through questions of discernment to joy, peace and clarity. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to wherever you are with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Advent Resources from IgnatianSpirituality.com, and Sacred Space, Creighton Online Ministries.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
December 15, 2019
Living In Hope: St. Joseph
Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons of the year. They capture the very reason I hope in the first place. For the next 6 weeks of Advent and Christmas Retreat, we will be Living in Hope! Each week, we will focus on one person or persons who helps us live in hope through reflection questions, suggested action, and prayer — including the text of the Sunday readings for easy access.
**Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here!
WEEK 3: St. Joseph
This week, we light the pink candle on our Advent Wreath. The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means rejoice, and what a reason we have to rejoice, as the celebration of the Lord’s birth is very near!
Our companion for the third week of Advent is Jesus’ father, St. Joseph. Joseph is a man of action, who models for us what it means to love through deeds. His quiet presence throughout Jesus’ life offers us witness of how to companion others through love.
Joseph gives us reason to “rejoice” as he nurtures the infant Jesus through childhood to adulthood. Can you imagine all of the concrete gestures of love and mercy he offered Jesus?
Reflection:
1. What has the Holy Spirit conceived in us so Christ might more fully enter our world?
2. Joseph was a man of action. What concrete gestures of love is God inviting you to do?
3. What or whom is the source of your joy? Offer thanks to God for those people and things that help you know God.
4. What does Joseph teach us about offering Mercy to others?
Action: The Nativity of the Lord
Does your home have a nativity in it? It is a beautiful visual to remember what this season is really about: the waiting for the celebration of the birth of the Messiah.
The first nativity scene was recreated by St. Francis of Assisi. He did so in a cave in Italy because he was fed up with the materialism and consumerism that was rampant in his time. St. Francis wrote to his friend, “I want to do something that will recall the memory of that child who was born in Bethlehem, to see with body eyes the inconveniences of his infancy, how he lay in the manger, and how the ox and the ass stood by.”
The nativity reminds us of the simplistic dwelling where Jesus was born, and it reminds us that our Savior came into the world as an infant, just as we all have.
If you have not set up a nativity in your home, consider making this part of your Advent and Christmas season traditions!
Praying with the Word of God:
The below Readings are from the Sunday Readings for the First Sunday of Advent. Pick one reading each day for prayer. Throughout the week, repeat the scriptures that capture your attention.
If you would like to pray with the daily readings this week in addition to the Sunday readings, the USCCB posts them daily here.
When praying with scripture, I invite you to try the prayer methods of Lectio Divina or Ignatian Contemplation. Here’s a one-page guide to Praying with Scripture and a handy Lectio Divina prayer card.
Third Sunday of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 35:1-6A,10
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
they will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10.
R. (cf. Is 35:4) Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD God keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
R. Lord, come and save us.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2: James 5:7-10
Be patient, brothers and sisters,
until the coming of the Lord.
See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,
being patient with it
until it receives the early and the late rains.
You too must be patient.
Make your hearts firm,
because the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,
that you may not be judged.
Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.
Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,
the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,
“Are you the one who is to come,
or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear,
the dead are raised,
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,
“What did you go out to the desert to see?
A reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine clothing?
Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.
Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way before you.
Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Go Deeper?
Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here! This retreat brings an individually directed retreat to you with one-on-one spiritual direction via online video-conference.
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through questions of discernment to joy, peace and clarity. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to wherever you are with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Advent Resources from IgnatianSpirituality.com, and Sacred Space, Creighton Online Ministries.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
December 7, 2019
Living In Hope: St. John the Baptist
Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons of the year. They capture the very reason I hope in the first place. For the next 6 weeks of Advent and Christmas Retreat, we will be Living in Hope! Each week, we will focus on one person or persons who helps us live in hope through reflection questions, suggested action, and prayer — including the text of the Sunday readings for easy access.
**Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here!
WEEK 2: John the Baptist
This week, we will be walking with one of my favorite Saints, St. John the Baptist.
St. John the Baptist teaches us many ways to live with hope by:
Teaching us how to be humble
Knowing our gifts
Living out our call
Preparing the way for the Lord
He joins a long-line of the prophets and people in our salvation history that prepared us for the coming of the Messiah by preaching of this promise and readying people’s hearts to recognize and see Jesus. The work of St. John the Baptist is not complete. We must carry on his mission to “prepare the way of the Lord” in our world today so that the light of Jesus, Our Messiah, is not diminished but burns bright and brings hope to others!
This week also holds a celebration in our liturgical year, The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th. On this day we celebrate Mary being conceived without original sin. Mary will be our companion in week 4 of this series, and we will talk more about her then.
Reflection:
1. How and where are you experiencing being readied for Christ’s coming into your life?
2. Where is God inviting you to “decrease” and God to “increase”?
3. Where are you being invited to take off “your robe of mourning and misery” and put on the “splendor of glory from God”? What might that look like in a concrete form in your life?
4. In the second reading this Sunday, we are invited to discern what is of value. How do you respond to this invitation? What is of value in your life? What needs tweaking in terms of your values to align with the values of the Gospel?
5. Where are you being called to prepare the way of the Lord, as St. John the Baptist did?
Action: The Jesse Tree
This week’s suggestion for putting hope into action is the Jesse Tree. This is a rather new tradition for our family, but it is one that has quickly become part of our annual Advent celebration!
The Jesse Tree is a way of commemorating the events and remembering the people who are part of our salvation history that lead up to the birth of Jesus. Each day of Advent you hang an illustrated ornament on a tree which tells the history of the Old Testament and connects this story to the birth of Jesus. The first ornament begins with God creating the world, then the ornaments walk through the stories of the Old Testament, which lead to the stories of Joseph, Mary, and ultimately to the birth of Jesus.
There are many options to create your own Jesse tree ornaments or if you are like me, and not a crafty person, there are Jesse Tree sets available online for purchase.
As our family decorates our Jesse Tree this year, I am reminded of God’s involvement in our lives long before we realized it. I am also reminded of God’s unending love and mercy for God’s people.
Praying with the Word of God:
The below Readings are from the Sunday Readings for the First Sunday of Advent. Pick one reading each day for prayer. Throughout the week, repeat the scriptures that capture your attention.
If you would like to pray with the daily readings this week in addition to the Sunday readings, the USCCB posts them daily here.
When praying with scripture, I invite you to try the prayer methods of Lectio Divina or Ignatian Contemplation. Here’s a one-page guide to Praying with Scripture and a handy Lectio Divina prayer card.
Second Sunday of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 11:1-10
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
but he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
he shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Reading 2: Romans 15:4-9
Brothers and sisters:
Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,
that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement
grant you to think in harmony with one another,
in keeping with Christ Jesus,
that with one accord you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,
for the glory of God.
For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised
to show God’s truthfulness,
to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.
As it is written:
Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles
and sing praises to your name.
Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair
and had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,
and the whole region around the Jordan
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees
coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
And do not presume to say to yourselves,
‘We have Abraham as our father.’
For I tell you,
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Go Deeper?
Registration for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, is OPEN NOW! This is the personalized, one-on-one retreat that comes to you and fits into your busy life! Register here! This retreat brings an individually directed retreat to you with one-on-one spiritual direction via online video-conference.
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through questions of discernment to joy, peace and clarity. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to wherever you are with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Advent Resources from IgnatianSpirituality.com, and Sacred Space, Creighton Online Ministries.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
November 30, 2019
Living In Hope: The Trinity
Advent and Christmas are my favorite seasons of the year. They capture the very reason I hope in the first place. For the next 6 weeks of Advent and Christmas Retreat, we will be Living in Hope! Each week, we will focus on one person or persons who helps us live in hope through reflection questions, suggested action, and prayer — including the text of the Sunday readings for easy access.
WEEK 1: The Trinity
For our first week, our focus is The Trinity. Specifically, I want us to consider St. Ignatius’ meditation on the Incarnation in the Spiritual Exercises (#102-108).
In this meditation, St. Ignatius invites us to imagine the Trinity looking down on Earth from Heaven. As the Trinity pays attention to what is unfolding on Earth, they decide it is time to send the second person of the Trinity to Earth to “respond to the groaning of creation”. And the Incarnation is set into motion!
The Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, help us live in hope because they continue to dwell within our hearts and in our world, through Scripture, through the Sacraments, and through each person on Earth. When you think about it– it’s hard not to be hopeful, because God is everywhere!
And the Incarnation, God becoming flesh, opens the path for Jesus to show us God’s abundant activity, love, and mercy in our lives. This week, let us pray for the grace to notice the dwelling of God within our daily lives!
Reflection:
1. If the Trinity looked down on the Earth today, what would they notice? What do you notice about our world today?
2. Where do you feel God might want to enter the world and dwell? Where do you notice God entering our world?
3. Where in our own lives would God might want to enter and dwell? Where do you notice God entering your life?
4. How do you feel called by God to be part of spreading the light of the Incarnation?
5. What are the concrete steps you will take to answer the call placed on your heart this Advent season?
Action: The Advent Wreath
I remember the excitement I felt as a child when my mom would pull out our Advent Wreath and place it on our dinner table. It symbolized to me that something important was happening. As a young child, it meant the count down to Christmas and Santa could officially begin! The older I got, though, I appreciated the way the Advent Wreath kept our family’s focus on the reason behind Advent: counting down to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
This Advent season, if you do not already own one, consider purchasing or creating your own Advent Wreath. It is a beautiful way to ritualize the waiting we are doing in Advent to celebrate the light Jesus’ birth brings into our lives and to symbolize the hopeful waiting we are still doing as we wait for the second coming of the Son of Man.
Once your wreath is assembled and placed in its place of honor, offer a blessing for your wreath. During the first week of advent, light the purple candle diagonally across from the pink candle. During the second week, light the purple candle next to the first one. During the third week, light the pink candle, and the fourth week, light the last purple one. On Christmas morning, light the white candle in the middle, symbolizing the great light that was brought into our world at Christ’s birth! Each time you light a candle, offer a prayer such as this one here!
Praying with the Word of God:
The below Readings are from the Sunday Readings for the First Sunday of Advent. Pick one reading each day for prayer. Throughout the week, repeat the scriptures that capture your attention.
If you would like to pray with the daily readings this week in addition to the Sunday readings, the USCCB posts them daily here.
When praying with scripture, I invite you to try the prayer methods of Lectio Divina or Ignatian Contemplation. Here’s a one-page guide to Praying with Scripture and a handy Lectio Divina prayer card.
First Sunday of Advent
Reading 1: Isaiah 2:1-5
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Responsorial Psalm: PS 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my brothers and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
2nd Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Brothers and sisters:
You know the time;
it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.
For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;
the night is advanced, the day is at hand.
Let us then throw off the works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Go Deeper?
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through questions of discernment to joy, peace and clarity. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to wherever you are with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Advent Resources from IgnatianSpirituality.com, and Sacred Space, Creighton Online Ministries.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
Calling Ministry Leaders: Check out my Advent Ministry Resources Newsletter.
December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
November 25, 2019
Celebrating Moments of Clarity: Right for Right Now
In our previous “Called and Listening” series, we talked about how to hear God’s voice and some tools to help you do that. But what about those moments when God’s voice becomes so obvious. We’re talking about those small, but life-changing moments when your eyes are opened, the paths are made clear, and you know that God is with you. Leading up to Advent, we’re treasuring those moments in our series called, “Celebrating Moments of Clarity.”
Today we look at how God helps us make big and small decisions and hear from Kathy Powell with the reminder that the gifts and tools of Ignatian discernment guide us to the path God asks of us.
I came to Becky’s Lenten Day of Reflection on discernment with a number of questions stirring in my heart. When Becky sent us to write our questions and walk through the steps of discernment she had just presented, I was ready.
I chose a pretty purple Sharpie and started writing a list of the questions I was holding. The first question I wrote was, “Should we grow our family?” As I finished writing the question, I heard a very clear voice in my head say, “That is not the right question right now.” I paused for a moment and continued on writing questions about what to spend our money on and what volunteer opportunities I should continue. When I finished my list, I stopped and re-visited the first question. It is not the right question right now. Really? It is not the right question right now. I sat with how that felt and it made sense.
For the last four months I had been wrestling with this question. My husband and I first talked on New Year’s Eve about the possibility of growing our family from 3 children to 4, but I couldn’t get through the conversation without crying. The tears fell so fully that we agreed to talk again at Easter and take the time until then for greater discernment. I wanted another child and my husband was not yet convinced. I figured that after 4 months of prayer, he would agree with me. Because, obviously that’s how this works. 
November 18, 2019
Celebrating Moments of Clarity: The Small, Steady Voice
In our previous “Called and Listening” series, we talked about how to hear God’s voice and some tools to help you do that. But what about those moments when God’s voice becomes so obvious. We’re talking about those small, but life-changing moments when your eyes are opened, the paths are made clear, and you know that God is with you. Leading up to Advent, we’re treasuring those moments in our series called, “Celebrating Moments of Clarity.” Today we hear from Charlotte Phillips about the consolation of when an answer is clearly and simple from God.
By nature, I’m a planner. I like to know what’s going to happen in advance, have time to think about whatever the event or activity is, and then make a plan. I have started to make mental Christmas lists, I write down what clothes I will pack for everyone when we go on vacation, and I’ve already got summer camp thoughts tucked away in the back of my head. While being a mom of four young children has made my “type A” personality a little more lax, when it comes to bigger decisions I like to make my lists and check them twice (or let’s be honest, three or four times) to make sure I’m making the best decisions.
Over the summer Becky messaged me that she was looking to hire an assistant and asked if I may be interested or knew of anyone who may be interested in the job. Immediately in my head I said, “I’m going to start working for Becky.” And just as quickly my interior dialogue responded, “Wait, what?!”
To start, she did not offer me a job; she had only asked if I were interested. Secondly, I had no idea what the job involved. And if that wasn’t reason enough to wonder why such a thought had entered my head, just a few months before I had accepted a part time youth ministry position that had me going back to work for the first time in six years while still having kids at home to work around! But none of that mattered; any time I thought about that brief out-of-the-blue message from Becky, I could not help but think I was going to work for her.
A couple weeks later Becky and I talked on the phone and she offered me the job. While in retrospect I should have verbalized my internal “yes!” then, the planner in me had a hard time saying yes to such a big decision on the spot. How was I going to work a second job? Since I had taken the youth ministry position my husband and I decided to enroll our youngest child in a Mom’s Day Out program in the Fall; but adding a second job would have me working more hours than this part time childcare provided. How was I going to balance working two jobs while still helping with homework, bringing my kids to their respective extracurricular activities, and keeping up with the day to day things around the house?
After Becky offered me the position I went to God in prayer. “God, what am I supposed to do?” Then I laughed, He told me the answer the moment I read that first message from Becky. All along I knew this job was mine. How did I know this was God’s voice, God’s plan, and not my own? While I had these questions running though my head, I was never really worried about them, I just knew deep down in my core that I would figure it out. These questions could have easily brought swings of consolation and desolation, but I was only filled with calmness and peace any time I thought about calling Becky to tell her yes.
There are many things to consider when we are in the discernment process, but it is so important to remember to quiet our minds and our hearts to hear God’s voice. This voice is different for everyone. Sometimes I hear God with a feeling of warmth that consumes my whole body, like I’m being hugged from the inside out. Other times like in this instance, I hear God by feeling complete calmness and peace about whatever I’m asking Him in prayer. When I called Becky to tell her yes, I felt such joy! After I hung up the phone, I said, “thank you, God!” While I knew I would have to learn how to balance my new role, I also knew I would figure it out since my yes to Becky was also a yes to God.
Reflect:
Have you ever had a moment of clarity like Charlotte experienced? How did God affirm your choice? Charlotte shared she knew path was right by joy, peace and clarity. How do you experience Gods voice in your life?
Go Deeper?
Register for my new online retreat that walks you through these questions of discernment to the joy, peace and clarity that Charlotte now has. “Overwhelmed No More: 6 Ways to Discover and Live God’s Vision for Your Life” brings the preached retreat experience to your email with content sent weekly for you to work through individually, on your own schedule.
Read about more moments of clarity in our Spiritual Direction: Why I Make Time For It series, where friends share about the clarity they’ve received through spiritual direction. Mark your calendar for the Online Busy Person’s Retreat, January 27-30, which allows you to meet one-on-one with a spiritual director everyday for 4 days.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
November 11, 2019
Celebrating Moments of Clarity: Be Still With Jesus
In our previous “Called and Listening” series, we talked about how to hear God’s voice and some tools to help you do that. But what about those moments when God’s voice becomes so obvious. We’re talking about those small, but life-changing moments when your eyes are opened, the paths are made clear, and you know that God is with you. Leading up to Advent, we’re treasuring those moments in our series called, “Celebrating Moments of Clarity.” Today we hear from Jen Scheuermann about a moment when she knew she was hearning God’s voice.
“Jesus, is my approach to life preventing me from really being in relationship with you?”
I sat in my room at the retreat center and reread the words I wrote. My search for a Catholic women’s retreat led me to a preached Silent Ignatian Retreat. Despite the word “silent” in the description, I somehow had not realized I would not be speaking for three days. So there I was, on retreat, relishing the silence. It was so peaceful…
Until the peace began to wane and anxiety crept in. I didn’t know what to DO with myself. This was most unsettling for my “Type A”, “To Do list” & “Rule-following self”. I was so afraid the retreat would end, and I would look back with regret because I hadn’t been “productive.” By the time I met with a spiritual director on the retreat, I was so distressed at the thought of wasting my retreat experience that I burst into tears before even introducing myself. The spiritual director responded with two things I desperately needed – tissues and a reminder of one of my favorite bible verses: Psalm 46:10, “BE STILL and know that I am God.” This reminder somehow allowed me to approach the retreat in a manner quite unlike the way I approach life. I could STOP STRIVING for perfection, LET GO of expectations, and instead, JUST BE with the Lord.
As I reflected on my life, I realized my desire for perfection had impacted my priorities as well as my relationships with family and friends. I questioned whether it had also affected my relationship with Jesus. In this setting I opened my bible to the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Although Jesus asked her for water, she focused instead on the rules of that time that prevented her from interacting with Jesus. Jesus responded to her concern about the rules stating,
“If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
Suddenly I couldn’t read another word. For the first time ever, as I read my bible, the voice that spoke these words was loving, kind and inviting. It wasn’t the typical voice I hear when I read; it wasn’t critical, harsh or sarcastic like my own.
A stillness came over me as I repeatedly heard this loving and kind voice call out to me, “Jen, I’m right in front of you. You keep looking at the arbitrary rules you’ve made for your life and your never ending To Do list, but those things will never satisfy you. They’ll never give you the peace you desire. I’m right in front of you. Just look at ME and ASK ME to satisfy you.”
I left my room and went to the empty, dark chapel. The voice followed… or perhaps it led. “Jen, all you have to do is ask me. Just. ASK. ME. ” Tears began to fall, and I realized they were mine. But these weren’t tears of sadness or regret. As I looked at the cross above the altar, I realized that right in front of me was the only thing that would ever completely satisfy my soul. If I continued chasing the unobtainable image of perfection that I painted in my head, I would never be whole. A feeling of peace and freedom washed over me. I felt safe and loved in a way I had never before experienced. I knew at that moment Jesus was speaking into my heart.
I have no question as to whose voice I heard. I also know without a doubt that I was only able to hear his voice so clearly because I made space for Him. I stopped doing things in front of and for Him and instead just sat with Him, with no agenda or plan. As the retreat ended, I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to remain where it was easy to be still with Him so I could continue to hear Him. I now know the importance of carving out time in my normal day to sit quietly with Jesus so I can hear Him. I’m forever grateful to the spiritual director who gave me permission to stop doing, to stop performing, so that I could actually hear Him. In turn, I now give you permission to do the same...
Take time to put down your to–do-list. Ignore some of arbitrary rules you’ve created for your life. Let go of some of the expectations you’ve set for yourself.
Close your eyes.
Open your ears.
And listen for Him.
Go Deeper?
Read about the time I was overwhelmed with the clarity of God in all things.
Read about more moments of clarity in our Spiritual Direction: Why I Make Time For It series, where friends share about the clarity they’ve received through spiritual direction.
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
December 10: Women of the Well Evening of Reflection at St Patrick Church, Baton Rouge
January 9-11: Go! Gulf Coast Faith Formation Conference
January 27-30: Online Busy Person’s Retreat
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
October 21, 2019
Called & Listening: Finding the Next Step
We’ve reached the last week of our series, “Called and Listening,” pulling from some of my writings on Ignatian discernment wisdom to help you hear God’s calls for your life and answer them. This week, we turn to looking at our whole “stove of life” and our next right step.
When I was growing up, my dad would often remind me when feeling overwhelmed, “Becky, how do you eat an elephant?” His response: “One bite at a time.” I am notorious for trying to solve everything at once, especially when it comes to discernment. I want the whole picture figured out, the vision made clear, and my beginning and ending fully known.
Discernment, though, happens in bites. Often all we can ask God is, What is my next right step?
Discernment is like making a good meal of red beans and rice. When I first start to cook the red beans and rice, my big stock pot is up front and center on the largest burner. I turn the heat up on high, add a little oil, and throw in bunches of onions, bell pepper, and celery. The vegetables need tending as they soften—I stir pretty regularly so they do not stick to the bottom of the pot. Once the veggies are ready, the rest of the ingredients get dumped in: beans, sausage, chicken broth, and a bunch of seasoning.
With all the ingredients in place, I push the pot to the back of my stove with the lid on it and lower the heat. The beans simmer for hours before they are ready to eat.
Throughout the cooking process, I lift the lid from time to time to check on the water level and to stir the beans. While they are simmering, I prep and ready the rice to cook and prepare my cornbread to eat. Perhaps I am cooking a vegetable on the side. Each require different pots and places on the stove, and each require different elements of heat. I see every pot on the stove. I tend to the one that needs my attention the most, and then I push it to the back or lower the heat. I continue to do this until the meal is ready to serve.
The same is true for our discernment. In our life, we might have several things that God is inviting us to discern and pay attention to on our stove. God sees every pot that is cooking. When God wants our attention about one certain pot, God turns up the heat to get our attention. Maybe it boils over before we notice that we are being invited to tend to it. God moves the pot that needs our attention at the time to the front and center of our stove. We might be invited to notice it, check the heat, throw in a few more ingredients, stir it a bit, and push it back to simmer some more. At some point, though, we will be invited to take it off the stove—to either get rid of it completely or to savor and enjoy what’s been created.
God’s there through it all, watching over all the pieces of our life, like one of my kids watching me cook, sneaking a taste, calling out if it boils over or scorches on the bottom or needs a little more heat.
I think we sometimes worry that if we are not tending to a pot, it’s going to go away. That’s not the case, though. If God wants that pot on the stove of our life, it’s not going anywhere. That’s why I always boil discernment down to this: What is the next right step? Just like with the stove analogy, our next right step might be shoving the pot to the back and letting it simmer some more. Perhaps our next right step is gathering a bit more information and throwing it into the pot. Or maybe we are called to turn up the heat on our discernment by actively making a choice.
This week:
Step back and look at what’s on your stove? What needs to be pushed back? Tended to? Removed altogether? Savored?
Go Deeper?
The above is an excerpt from Chapter 9 of my book Busy Lives & Restless Souls. Want to read it with a group? Get the free Leader’s Guide.
Read Hearing God’s Voice in the Busyness
Inviting you Deeper as We Walk with Christ:
JOIN ME THIS WEEK! October 23: Women of the Well Fall Day of Reflection: “Is It You, God?” Cultivating Space to Hear God’s Voice in the Busyness, 9:30am-2:30pm at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, St. Gabriel, LA. Register here.
Starting October 22: 6 week study of my book, Busy Lives and Restless Souls, with the Archdiocesean Spirituality Center, Archdicoese of New Orleans (Tuesday, Oct. 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, 26) at 10:00 – 11:30 am or 7:00 – 8:30 pm, St. Peter’s Lacour Center, Reserve. More info here.
Continuing October 24: Exploring Ignatius: Ignatian Spirituality for the Busy Person Course at Immaculate Conception in Denham Springs (October 24; November 7, 14) More info here. Register here.
November 11: Holy Rosary Women’s Night, Making Room in the Busyness, St. Amant, LA. More info here.
Sign up for my Prayer Team and pledge to pray for the weekly prayer requests posted on my Facebook & Instagram, and for the attendees of upcoming events. Email info@beckyeldredge.com.
