In modern times we make a distinction between our brain and our heart as the separated places where we think rationally, our brains, and feel emotionally, our heart. In ancient times, they had a different understanding. The brain may have been where information was received and processed, but the heart was where it was considered, evaluated and put to use.

Proverbs 4:20-23 writes, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

St. Benedict expressed this text in a beautiful way, “Incline the ear of your heart, Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father’s advice.”

Dear Lord, it is difficult for us to open ourselves up fully to your advice. Our preconceptions, prejudices, pride, and fear fight against it. Help us open up the ears of our hearts to receive your wisdom and direction. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The old testament law prescribed specific types of sacrifices to be made for different sins, burnt offerings,sin offerings, trespass offerings, different offerings for intentional and unintentional sins, and many other variations. In addition, it specified how each animal was to be prepared for the sacrifice, and what had to be done with all the parts. Many of the details are written in Numbers 15. I imagine the priests in the temple were constantly working on preparing and conducting sacrifices. This was very serious and important activity for people at the time, as they strived to follow the directions God had given them.

We can only imagine how dramatic a change it must have been for the Jews after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were preaching and teaching that these sacrifices were no longer necessary. Jesus’ had became the one and only sacrifice for all sins.

Hebrews 10:14-18 says, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

This text references back to prophesies of Jeremiah that there would come a time when the sacrifices would no longer be required. This prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. We no longer are required to offer sacrifices, we only need to accept your sacrifice in order to be forgiven and made right with God. Work in our hearts to accept this gift with gratitude and confidence. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Here’s a question to ponder. Does God make bad things happen to people for their bad behavior?

Some people say, that bad things happen in life because sin exists, but don’t believe that specific things happen to specific people because of their bad behavior. Other people believe they disagree.

The bible is very clear in many stories, that God punishes people for their bad behavior.

For example, why did God destroy people during the flood. Genesis 6:5 says, “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth..” verse 7, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth.”

Another example is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. God destroyed the city due to the people’s wickedness; And the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. They sold some property and told the disciples they were donating all the proceeds to the cause of the early Christians, but they actually did not give all the money but were lying. Both died on the spot.

My conclusion is that, yes, God sometimes does let or cause bad things to happen to people because of their un-repentant sin. This shouldn’t frighten believers, however, because as 1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

As a result, we will try to do God’s will. The bible is also full of stories of people like Rahab, David, Paul, Matthew, and many others who trusted God ,turned from their sinful ways, and became important and blessed people.

Believers will have problems and difficulties “bad things” too. Often these are given to us to make us better, stronger and more faithful, rather than as punishment. However, if the problems draw us closer to Jesus, it is the right result.

Dear Lord, you are active in our world and lives, much more than most of us may realize. Help us acknowledge you in everything we do, thank you for our blessings, and draw near during our trials. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Luke 8:22-25 tells about Jesus and the disciples sailing across a lake. “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them,“Where is your faith?”

We could read Jesus’ question “Where is your faith?” as a rhetorical question, like a figure of speech meaning, “you don’t have faith.”

However, you could alternatively look at the question as Jesus actually asking the question and expecting an answer. “Where is your faith?” And the answer in this case would be, their faith was in the likelyhood of them drowning. They actually said, “we are going to drown.” Using their words, they were expressing their faith.

I think God is trying to get a message to us with this story. When we say things like, “I’ll never lose weight,” or “I’ll never get out of debt,” or “I am always late.” We are reinforcing a belief, (faith) in those statements.

We need to turn things around and put our faith where it should be, saying things like, “with God’s help, I will be on time.” or “By the grace of God I will lose weight,” or “I am confident God will make this situation work out.”

Dear Lord, We all occasionally have lapses in our faith and trust in you to be with us in all types of situations. Help us remember to speak with faith in your ability to make things work out well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

You may have heard it said, “You become who you run with, and they become you.” I don’t remember being told this when I was younger, but I must have been, because I remember having thoughts in disagreement with that opinion. I thought, “my character is what it is, and who I hang around with will not change it.” As I got older, I realized my view was not realistic. I also recognized that it is very difficult to evaluate one’s own situation, objectively, while in it.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning.” The Revised Standard Version translates it, “Bad company ruins good morals.”

It is important to, periodically, evaluate with whom we are spending our time. True, we can be the positive influence on others who need improvement in their behavior, but we should be part of a group that has a high moral standard and the whole group can be the influence on those who need improvement, rather than us, individually, trying to lift up the standards of the rest of the group.

In modern times, it is not just the people we physically spend time with that influence us, it is also the people we follow on twitter, facebook, youtube, TV and radio that are influencers of our character. We need to evaluate these, as well.

Dear Lord, part of the Christian life is choosing those with whom we socialize, and you provide us good guidance in your word. Help us follow our conscience, and avoid the situations and if necessary, the people that erode our good morals and character. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.