

Jeremiah: Speaking God’s Love in the Hard Times
Featuring Deborah Holiday
Don’t be afraid of reading the prophets! Their lives and their messages still speak to us today. Scripture teacher Deborah Holiday shares how at a low point in her life, she felt Jesus prompting her to read Jeremiah—and found there the God who loves us and has a plan for good, even in hard times.
Deborah Holiday taught Scripture for 13 years at the Denver Catholic Biblical School, where she served in many roles including interim director and lead instructor. She has a Masters in Theology from the Augustine Institute and is a co-presenter on some of their faith formation programs. Deb wrote the introductions to the prophetic books for the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible.
Take Deb’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour
Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.
Read the Word: John 15:1-5, 7-9
(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. […]
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.”
Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?
Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.
Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?

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