While Mary gives us the model to strive for as we LOVE the Word™, Jonah is likely a more realistic example for us to study as we are practicing, because when Jonah hears the word of God, he does the exact opposite! How does God work when we are not obedient to what we’ve heard, whether it’s because we are inexperienced, timid, suspicious, or flat-out rebellious?
Study Audio
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is based on a Ignatian* personality approach. Go on! Try it!
Listen (Receive the Word)
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel” (Ex 40:34-38).
Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)
Imagine the celebration as the tabernacle you helped construct with your own offerings is finally finished. Are there tambourines? Dancing? Are the children frolicking, as wild with excitement as their parents? What did you offer? Gold, linen, balsams for the anointing oil or incense, your services as craftsman, embroiderer, or goldsmith? Are the people all gathered around, or are you gazing at the incredible sight from the flap of your own tent?
Does the sky grow dark when the unworldly cloud descends and engulfs the tabernacle? Is the air charged with shock or fear or thrill? What does it sound like as it falls, or maybe it simply appears? Are you afraid? Excited? Awed? Are you surprised as darkness approaches that the cloud changes to fire? That you can see it no matter where you are in the whole camp, even from the back side of Sinai?
Does the presence of that cloud comfort you when you look at it in the days to come, knowing He’s there somehow, leading you through this barren desert, day and night, every second?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions).
What an incredible, glorious thought: that You are with me, Lord, leading me and guiding me every moment, and that You are building a sanctuary in me with my very own offerings. I want to offer everything! But I confess a tremor of fear when I think of your presence in the tabernacle of my body, because I have not made it as hospitable as it could be for You, and my offerings have not been generous. I need to know that You love me unconditionally, even though the tabernacle of my body and heart is not always pure enough to welcome You. What can I offer You, today, as a welcome present?
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Perhaps you’d like to wonder at and cherish, now, your Promise of His unfailing presence with You.
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*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Episode Resources
This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is from chapter six of my newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before, available for pre-order with a 30% discount using code SPARK here.
Ignite will be out August 17. Get a preview of the introduction and first chapter here.
Read the Transcript
You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript. Protected Content. Click Here to sign in Courtesy of Kristie Hynniman, who does our transcriptions for you.
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So far, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned in our LOVE the Word™ series?
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10 YO Corbitt-son
I know exactly what you mean about marrying a non-Catholic. When we married 47 years ago I left the Church and was away for 40 years. About 7 years ago I was drawn back to the Church by way of the Eucharist. After 40 years of participating in a variety of communion services I always felt like there was something missing an incompleteness. I had no idea that my return would be this difficult, my wife is in turmoil over my return and just can’t understand. I have been told by my wife that by returning to the Catholic Church that I have lost my salvation, that I have turned my back on Jesus, and I’m headed in the wrong spiritual direction. I did not realize the animosity that exists outside the Church and that I was a part of that animosity for 40 years. In short, I ask for prayer if for nothing more than that my wife’s heart would be softened enough to carry on a civil conversation with. When ever I attempt to talk she will talk-over me and not allow me to at least answer any question that she may have. I apologize that my note is not as uplifting as your Bible Study that I look forward to every week.
I love your explanation that we can’t THWART God’s Will even if we screw things up. That word thwart touched my heart, that God still works His Will through us even if we mess up or are disobedient.
I also needed to hear that God is doing the work of salvation in me & my loved ones. I have been dealing with my children’s mess ups. Multiple,big mess ups and I feel like our family has been in the belly of the whale. I reflect & think it may be easier for me to deal with my mess ups than the pain & mess ups of my children.
thanks for lifting me up. I try to listen to everything you record!
God Bless you- you are in my Daily prayers :)
As a follow-up on my previous comment, I ask for prayer as well for me that I will be more understanding toward my wife. The Church has been here for 2000 years and still, she is a mystery to the non-Catholic world and I must take this into consideration.
Bob, I will definitely pray for you. This might help. “Dealing with the Fallout of Conversion.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofmnr3TgN_A
Bob, perhaps – unless your wife brings it up – the best approach would be not to discuss it verbally. I was received into the Catholic Church 12 years ago. At that time, a pastor who knew both my husband and me well advised me not to try to argue my views or get drawn into an argument. (I Peter 3) My husband is still very resistant to the Catholic Church, fixed in his views and can articulate them vehemently! Just in the last year or so we have been able to discuss a little bit without personalizing things. (“The Church teaches this about that” or “I heard such-and-such on the radio” – preferably about areas where we agree fairly closely anyway.) So after this long time we are still going to our respective churches, sticking to common ground in our conversations, and praying for each other. Dr. Ray Guarendi has a book about when faith causes family problems. I have not read it but I heard him discussing a similar situation with a caller on his radio program. He urged the man to promise his wife that his reversion would not come between them and that it would make him a better husband. The best approach might be to do as St. Peter advises wives, to win your spouse over without a word, by your behavior. (Of course you are a husband, but consider also the mutual submission that St. Paul counsels.) If your wife feels a spiritual obligation to do the opposite, this could be hard, but I believe God will honor your faithfulness and your sacrifice and use them to conform you more closely to Himself. God bless you both!
Hi Sonja. I loved today’s show. I am now in that not sure what God wants or where he is taking me time, but I know he is getting me ready for something . I’ve been doing the LOVE the Word since late June and like you tell us if we show up so will God. My Scripture time and journaling have helped so much in giving me some clarity. I know he’s getting me ready for where and whatever he’s going to have me do next in my life. Thank you so much for your shows and your books. God bless!
Karin
Thanks for a wonderful show today Sonja. Came at a really important time. Needed to hear about hanging on in there and trusting.
I used to SCUBA dive, and read an account of a whale shark off the coast of France & Spain. They are HUGE, but happily they are not aggressive like a Great White or Tiger Shark. The divers who wrote the account said the beast was gentle, and they were able to swim with it. The whale shark would be big enough to accommodate Jonah!
Hello , you said if we show up so will God , I don’t even have words to say , I was so amaze on how God show up during this last show , how the mass reading and your show came together , it gives me chills still , every time.
This is so big for me , I’m one of those people that find it hard to recognize when is God who is speaking or is just me speaking , and these was clearly the Lord God, speaking through you , to send to us a message that he speak to us , we just have to listen.
Scripture is coming alive in my life in a practical way , is staring to be a tool that guides my everyday decisions , not just old bible stories ,that I though irrelevant to my life .
Slowly I am listening , and learning to discern who is really speaking , God or me trying to manipulate the outcome of what I want things to look , or how I want things to happen , sometimes is hard listening to what God is telling me , sometimes it requires me to change my ways , and sometimes I want to say no, not now not today, but I find myself unable to turn a deft ear , because once to hear , listen, God don’t let you forget it , until I change my ways.
Don’t know if this makes any sense at all !
Maria, This makes PERFECT sense. I got the chills! Memorare up for you on this exciting journey! <3
Oh , another thing God is trying to change in me , usually , well a lot of times when I listen to your show , I go “mm so and so really need to hear this “, and I remember you saying , that God is speaking about and to me , sometimes is hard to take , but is the truth .
This show was so powerful. Sonja – when you said you weren’t sure who you were talking to, but you knew you were intending this for someone, I yelled out, “It’s me!!” I have been journaling with your LOVE the Word journal daily, and I’m seeing some consolations through using it. So grateful for them as it’s been a while since I’ve experienced any. Thank you for everything you do!
the love the word study is an expanding of mind and spirit for me. thank you! I have only seen one study that has been transcribed
is that correct? I want to print them when available,just wondering if i am missing the link for the transcribed studies or if the time has not come available as of now. Thanks to the transcriber and no problem to wait for it either.
All the LOVE the Word shows are available now except the “visualize” from last week. I had “observe” but had not linked it for some reason! Try it now :)