Conversation Conversations

Week 21 — The Word

"In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God." —John 1:1

Jump to day: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday

"Each day they studied the Scriptures to see whether these things were so." —Acts 17:11

Conversation:

Abba: Child, look to the Bible. Through it, I will teach you how to live. Immediately after Pentecost, the disciples devoted themselves to the apostles' instruction, the study of My word (Acts 2:42). Make Bible reading the foundation and cornerstone of your life-style in the Spirit.
Child: Abba, I thank You for today, Sunday. Thanks for the word proclaimed throughout the world each Resurrection day.

Response:

Read and study "hard to make yourself worthy of God's approval, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, following a straight course in preaching the truth" (2 Tm 2:15). Read at least one page of Scripture a day. Begin with Mark's gospel.

Monday

"Jesus replied, 'Scripture has it: Not on bread alone is man to live but on every utterance that comes from the mouth of God.' " —Mt 4:4

Conversation:

Abba: Child, all fathers want to provide for the basic needs of their children (Dt 8:3). I want to feed you with the finest wheat, the bread of life (Jn 6:35). My word will feed and free you.
Child: Abba, lately I've lost my appetite for Your word. I've been eating the spiritual junk food of the world, and I'm becoming spiritually anorexic. I repent. Forgive and heal me. Restore my baptismal appetites for the things of the Spirit.

Response:

Read Luke 15 and go to Confession.

Tuesday

"Your rebirth has come, not from a destructible but from an indestructible seed, through the living and enduring word of God." —1 Pt 1:23

Conversation:

Abba: Child, My word always achieves the end for which it is sent (Is 55:11). If it doesn't touch you, it will touch somebody else. My word amazingly will make you fully competent and equipped for every good work (2 Tm 3:17).
Child: Abba, on this 21st week, this 143rd day, I give You praise that what You have hidden from the learned and clever You have revealed to me, one of the merest children (Lk 10:21). Your word is "living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword...It judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12).

Response:

Read God's promises.

Wednesday

"For indeed, neither herb nor application cured them, but Your all-healing word, O Lord!" —Wis 16:12

Conversation:

Abba: Child, My word will heal you physically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. You have not experienced My healing because you have not asked for it. Ask and you shall receive (Mt 7:7).
Child: Abba, every time I go to Communion I pray: "Only say the word and I shall be healed." From now on, I expect healing through the word and Communion.

Response:

Read healings done by Jesus in Mark's gospel.

Thursday

"The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces." —Ps 119:72

Conversation:

Abba: Child, is My word more precious to you than money, pleasure, convenience, and the worldly life-style? Do you give prime time to read My word or just fit it in when you can? You will be judged by My word (Jn 12:48). Know it well.
Child: Abba, at Mass the priest kisses the word to express his love and respect. I'm going to do this now in faith. I ask You to transform me through this prayer in action. Your word is holy.

Response:

Read and kiss the Bible.

Friday

"Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" —Lk 24:32

Conversation:

Abba: Child, did you know My word accomplishes not only mental enlightenment and spiritual transformation but also physical sensations? Did you ever have the word pierce your heart or burn deep inside? You will.
Child: Abba, even though You have worked powerfully through the word in my life, I often feel lost when I read the Bible.
Abba: Child, you need someone to explain it to you (Acts 8:31). I'll send you someone either in person or through tapes and books.

Response:

Read Psalm 119. Are these your sentiments?

Saturday

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, the word of God." —Eph 6:17

Conversation:

Abba: Child, I have been sheltering you from demonic attacks. In the future, I will let you see more of the devil's malice. Don't be afraid, I will never forsake you.
Child: Abba, as I read through the Bible, I notice all men and women of the word were persecuted and sometimes even martyred. If I take Your word seriously, I'll be in serious trouble.
Abba: Child, take My word seriously.

Response:

Read about and study persecution in Acts of the Apostles.

Excerpts from Scripture are taken from The New American Bible, copyright 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

Nihil obstat: Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, July 13, 1995.

Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, July 25, 1995.

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