Balaam got really ticked off at his donkey. The animal just would not do what he wanted it to do. Balaam had a goal in mind and circumstances were not cooperating with his objectives. It is natural for us to pursue objectives and goal, but what if they don’t work out?

The obstacle Balaam was encountering in his donkey was actually a merciful blessing from God, a hindrance designed by God for his guidance and protection. Rather than receiving God’s message to him in the event, Balaam got angry at the donkey. Of course, Balaam’s motives were not right to begin with. But even if I am trying to do a good thing, how do I respond to circumstances I cannot control?

Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show, Marianne K; Tom G; and Jean R, for loving and lifting me!

LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on her method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.

L - Listen (Receive the Word.)

If you'd rather watch the video, you can do that here. 

O - Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

F | Franciscan – Take some time to cuddle your pet. Have you every thought of pets as gifts from God? 

I | Ignatian – Using all your senses, imagine you are headed on an important errand, but your donkey will not cooperate. What do you do when your donkey speaks to you?!

A | Augustinian – Chances are you will face a pop quiz soon involving an unexpected and unwelcome delay. How is that delay a gift from God?

T | Thomistic – Can you list the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this story about Balaam and his donkey?

V - Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.

E - Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

St. Anthony, how tongue-tied I can be when I should be praising God and defending the oppressed. My cowardice often strikes me dumb; I am afraid to open my mouth. St. Anthony, Restorer of Speech to the Mute, release me from my fears. Teach me to praise God and to champion the rights of those unjustly treated. Amen.+ 

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*Find out your prayer temperament with this quiz! LOVE the Word® exercises are offered according to FIAT: the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic: FIAT! These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.

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You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript here, when it becomes available, courtesy of Dora Donovan who does our transcripts for you.