CBS Alums: Living and Leading in God's Word

Quilts2Heal, Inc., was founded by Dr. Paula de Silva, CBS Class of 2013, in response to the Sandy Hook Massacre two years ago this week. They create their unique quilts for many folks who are experiencing crisis, especially veterans and those affected by natural disasters. (See posts dated March 21 and May 22, 2013.)

In 2013, Quilts2Heal, Inc. became a tax exempt non profit organization. "We are thrilled to now have this status," exudes Paula, "to hopefully do more for so many who need the comfort of being wrapped in a quilt made with much love!"

Recently, Quilts2Heal has been asked to create a quilt for Morgan. Six-year old Morgan and her twin sister Emma are pictured here. Morgan is being treated in NYU hospital for brain cancer. Her surgery in August went well. 90% of the tumor was removed, but her treatment continues. She is a very sick little girl.

As always, Quilts2Heal is creating personalized quilts for Morgan and for her sister Emma, who is well. Morgan's grandmother provided a list of Morgan's and Emma's favorite colors, interests and activities, including the characters from Frozen, swimming, dancing, the beach, and snow.

Please keep Morgan and her family in your prayers.

Weekly Bible Study - 2 Peter 3:8-13

Sunday, December 7, 2014

2nd Sunday of Advent   

First century Christians received the promise of Christ’s second coming and expected it to happen in their lifetimes. In Peter’s letter to these Christians he offers an apocalyptic vision of this “Day of the Lord.” But we must not get swept up in the cataclysmic imagery while missing the point of today’s second reading. Peter’s message is best reflected in verse 9: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard ‘delay,’ but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” In a nutshell, Peter reminds us that we still have time and that God patiently waits for our return to him!
The call to repentance is one that comes right at the beginning of each gospel. Today’s very familiar reading reminds us of this. While we often leave repentance to the Lenten season, it is an ongoing process, a constant returning to the Lord. More than a series of external practices, repentance is an attitude, a change of direction, a reorganizing of priorities. Repentance is a transformation of the heart.

In verse 8 Peter reminds us that God’s plan will unfold according to his timing and not ours. But there is still time for us to embrace “lives of holiness and godliness.” Imagine: God may be delaying the destruction of the world on account of Christians! God desires that all should repent. And in his great mercy and love for humankind, God patiently gives us time to do that. So what are we waiting for?

The day of the Lord will come “life a thief in the night,” unexpectedly and without warning. Will we be ready?

What are we doing to prepare ourselves for the Day of the Lord?

 

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Joy of the Gospel #6

THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

20. Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the “peripheries” in need of the light of the Gospel. 

30. Each particular Church…is the Church incarnate in a certain place, equipped with all the means of salvation bestowed by Christ, but with local features. …To make this missionary impulse ever more focused, generous and fruitful, I encourage each particular Church to undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform.

Afterword: The Hartford Catholic Biblical School is commissioned to help individuals and faith communities to listen to the Gospel authentically, coming to know both the original meaning of the Word of God and the fuller meaning for today, that they might be better equipped to "discern the path" and "undertake a resolute process of discernment, purification and reform."

Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

Weekly Bible Study - Isaiah 63:16-19; 64:2-7

30 November 2014

1st  Sunday of Advent  

Isaiah was an 8th century BC prophet who seems to have received his call in a dramatic vision of God in the Jerusalem Temple. Perhaps this is why his writings express a sense of being overwhelmed by the majesty and glory of God. Isaiah seems to have felt deeply the enormous abyss between God’s sovereign holiness and human sinfulness. The message is a passionate plea for the reliance on the promises of God. 

Today’s selection from Third Isaiah (presumably a 6th century disciple of the original prophet) portrays a people who wrestle with the very questions we often raise in our hearts: “Why [God] do you let us wander from our ways? Why do you harden our hearts?” Are they, and we, passing the buck? Who’s really doing the wandering here, God or the people?

Reading further into this passage we find a people who do seem to realize who is in charge. We see a people aware of their sinfulness, shortcomings, and the “pollution” of their deeds. We witness a people who admit their guilt, ready to return to the Lord.  Even though they grapple with their uncertainties, they know where the fault really lies. We also see a people who acknowledge the awesomeness and power of their creator and redeemer. We see in this passage the first steps we must take in our Advent journey.

Like Isaiah, we can be overwhelmed by the majesty and glory of God at Christmas. But we can ready our hearts for that awe-inspiring gift of God’s very self to us, in Jesus. While we, and Isaiah’s people, wrestle with our unclean hearts and divided spirits, we take comfort in the promise this prophet makes in today’s opening and closing verses:

You, Lord, are our Father. Our Redeemer, you are named forever. We are the work of your hands.

It is God who shapes our hearts and wills, gently smoothing out our rough edges. In the depths of our restless hearts, we still know Who is in charge and to Whom we belong.

Advent Blessings to Everyone!

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.