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Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read for week 23: Sunday, November 24, to Saturday, November 30, 2024.
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November 22, 2024
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Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that the Books of Wisdom and Sirach (Ben Sira/Ecclesiasticus) appear in Catholic versions of the Bible.
Ecclesiastes Chapters 7-12
Read Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 again.
In spite of the generally depressing, cynical tone of Ecclesiastes, some pearls of beauty shine as in these verses.
Ask God to help us to listen to all people with attentiveness, just as God listens to all of us.
How often do people “tune out,” that is, stop listening, when someone’s style of communication is negative and somewhat depressing? What pearls of beauty might they be missing?
Song of Songs (Song of Solomon) Chapters 1-4
So far in our journey through the Bible, we’ve read a great deal about war, cruelty and deceit. It may seem surprising to read Song of Songs — a joyful, passionate, romantic love song.
However, go back to the Book of Genesis and skim through its first three chapters. Doesn’t God’s creation of the universe, and of Adam and Eve, show much love? In Mark 12:29-30 we see that love is what God wants the most from us.
Read Jeremiah 29:13-14 and then ask God to help us to seek God with all our heart.
How many people do you know who put as much effort into trying to please God as they would into trying to please a new romantic interest?
Song of Songs Chapters 5-8
Read Song of Songs 7:14 (or 7:13) again, and then read Genesis 30:14-17.
Mandrakes were believed to promote fertility.
Ask God for spiritual mandrakes to help us to bear spiritual children for God’s kingdom.
What can you do to make yourself “fertile ground” in which God can work most effectively? Are there some “weeds” that need to be pulled out, or is there some “fertilizer” that needs to be put in?
Wisdom Chapters 1-7
In today’s reading, the very first point made by the author of Wisdom is that we should seek the Lord.
Psalm 46:10 (or 46:11) talks about being still and knowing God.
Ask God to give us opportunities to be still and seek a connection to God.
Take some quiet time to be still and reflect on the people and issues that stir your heart the most. Why do you think that these particular issues stir your heart when other important issues don’t have the same effect? Might God be calling you to respond to that need?
Wisdom Chapters 8-13
In Wisdom Chapter 10, we see that several acts were attributed to “Wisdom” that were, in previous books of the Bible, attributed to “the Lord.”
Read 1 Corinthians 12:8. What does this verse tell us about how the Lord sends us wisdom?
Read James 1:5 and then ask God to give us the spiritual gift of wisdom.
Who are the people in your life who seem to be especially wise? Is there anything about how they live their lives that might be helpful for you to try?
Wisdom Chapters 14-19
The verses in Wisdom 13:10-15:17 talk about improper use of objects in religious devotion. Deuteronomy 11:18-21 talks about proper use of objects to keep our minds focused on the Lord.
What do these verses tell us about how to tell when our focus leaves our Creator and shifts to what was created?
Ask God to help us to follow devotions that will attract our attention towards our Creator and not distract it.
Which devotions help you to focus on God?
Sirach Chapters 1-4
Read Sirach 3:12-16 again.
In Sirach 3:1-16, as well as in Exodus 20:12, particularly important blessings are promised to those who care for their parents. What is it about caring for the elderly that opens our lives to receive such special blessings?
Ask God to protect all the old and frail and to motivate friends and family members to be especially kind towards them.
Are you able to reach out to an elderly family member or fellow parishioner to bring some love their way today?
A version of this story appeared in the November 24, 2024, issue of The Catholic Registerwith the headline "Seek opportunities to connect with God".
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