Month: May 2017

Irene’s geranium in bloom (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Spirit,
thank you for those
who model to me
how to live
as a joy-receiver,
and to-joy-transformer,
even in the midst of
severe suffering.

May I have the faith and courage
to do the same.
Amen.

by Irene Bom

Joy-related Scriptures

Philippians 4:4
Romans 12:12
Romans 15:13
1 Thessalonians 3:9
Hebrews 12:1-3
James 1:2

All related Scriptures (in one go)

Interesting …

Joy is a hot topic in Luke (NIV: 12 references)
Faith is a hot topic in Romans (NIV: 40 references)
Love is a hot topic in John (NIV: 39 references)
Hope is a hot topic in Acts (NIV: 9 references)

Research tool: www.biblegateway.com
 

Irene’s geranium in bud (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Slaves have reason
to fear the unreasonable,
the shocking,
the arduous,
the harsh,
the unyielding,
the uncalled-for,
the arbitrary,
the excessive,
the unbridled,
the severe.

I am not a slave.
I am a child of Abba, Father.
Jesus’ Abba,
Jesus’ Father.
Spirit, inspire in me
the appropriate response:
Cries of joy!

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
John 1:12-13

Tip (repeat from yesterday)

The Pray as you go website has a short 5-part retreat on the Acts of the Apostles. Listen to the story of the early Christian community, and discover what effect the Resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost had on that first, very small group of Jesus’ followers. By reflecting on this, we can discern the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our own lives, and open ourselves more fully to the spirit of Pentecost.

Scotland (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Like ripples,
like soundwaves,
like seeds carried aloft by the wind,
may we leave traces
of the Spirit-transformed,
Spirit-transforming
life within us,
traces that echo on
and bear fruit.
Amen.

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
2 Corinthians 2:14-16

A true story
Talking about “seeds carried aloft by the wind”, I was sitting on a terrace in Amsterdam recently, next to the tram track. The wind and passing trams regularly sent the heaps of elm tree seeds a-swirling around me. That evening I found one of the seeds had found its way to my home in Rotterdam. It was lodged under my bra!

Tip
The Pray as you go website has a short 5-part retreat on the Acts of the Apostles. Listen to the story of the early Christian community, and discover what effect the Resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost had on that first, very small group of Jesus’ followers. By reflecting on this, we can discern the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our own lives, and open ourselves more fully to the spirit of Pentecost.

‘Keerom’ (turn around), Cape Town, South Africa (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Thank you, God,
for the truth,
all the truth,
imparted,
from Father
to Son
to Spirit
to us.

May I receive the truth you impart
with open arms, open heart,
and handle it
in ways that bring you pleasure.
Amen.

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
2 Timothy 2:15

Fuengirola, Spain (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Speak, Holy Spirit, I am listening.
Tell me of Jesus,
of his love revealed
in power
in word and deed,
leaving nothing undone,
love given freely, completely,
a love that will not let me go.

Spirit of the whole truth
and nothing but the truth,
tell me the old, old story
so Jesus becomes ever more real,
ever more present
in the new of this now.
Amen

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
1 John 5:7-12

Mosaic, Cape Town, South Africa (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

I’ve never been arrested,
but there have been times aplenty
I was forced
to take a stand.
Teach me, Holy Spirit,
to trust that
when trials come
you will give me
words that protect and reflect
the new life taking root in me.
Holy Spirit, be my defence.

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
Mark 13:11

‘Entrance other side’ (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Father-sent Advocate
sent in Jesus’ name
teach me
teach me all things
and remind me of all Jesus said
not because I forget per se (though I do)
but because the mind of Christ is
not yet fully formed in me.

Coda
I am a building site,
under construction,
and the building company
is called Trinity.

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
1 Corinthians 2:12-16

Muizenberg, Western Cape, South Africa (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Our Father in heaven
giver of good gifts
– good to the core –
you know what we need
to live
and move
and have our being.
We ask you
– because Jesus said we could –
– because Jesus said we should –
give us our daily bread
give us your Spirit, we pray.
Amen

by Irene Bom

Related Scriptures
James 1:17

Rotterdam Central Station, The Netherlands (photo: Irene Bom)
 

Reflection

Jesus, baptized baptizer,
the waiting is over.
The Spirit has come.
The Spirit is here.

Still, we ask,
Jesus, counsel us
as you did the early disciples
and guide our movements today,
so we might be in the right place
and the right frame of mind
– expectant and willing –
willing to be filled, like a billowing sail,
carried, transported,
borne, supported.
Amen.

by Irene Bom