Gigi kicks us off for Lectio Divina for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

We read about what Jesus teaches His disciples about marriage and divorce and then Jesus blesses the children.

I share my gratitude for being a woman and Gigi imagines what it would have been like to be that child, be blessed, and then see Jesus die.  

But first, we banter about Narnia.

Come Lectio Divina, with host, Elizabeth Arendale and her Guest- Rebecca Williams.

Rebecca first talks about life as an OBGyn who believes.  She shares how sometimes it's hard to be a scientist who practices Christianity and be surrounded by unbelievers and skeptics.  On the flip side her practice is in a location where finances aren't plenty and she witnesses the amazingly deep faith many of her patients have, even when facing trials.  One woman faced infertility for many many years and kept a blog

Rebecca also blesses Elizabeth with her faith story.  Where she is now, how she came to be here, and who was the most instrumental in her journey.  The bulk of her story is included after the end music so please stay tuned!

Elizabeth and her friend Nina break open Mark 9:30-37, "Let the children come to me"

But first- during the banter Nina shares her conversion story.  

During Lectio Elizabeth and Nina are touched by the difference between the translations.  Some say "receive a child" and some say "welcome a child".  

Nina asks herself, "how can I be more welcoming?"

Elizabeth commits to a pilgrimage to beauty.

The famous John 3:16!  Who does not know it?  We all know it with our minds.  But do we know it with our hearts?

Elizabeth and fellow swim mom Carolina crack open the famous passage and find new a fresh angles that God has customized for them this day.  

That is the beauty of Lectio Divina!  Every day the scriptures hold what we need.

Friends and neighbors, Katie and Elizabeth do Lectio Divina with Katie's family heirloom vintage bible collection.  

They banter a bit about how memory goes as aging happens with our loved ones.  How keepsakes can sometimes weigh us down if we aren't keeping it for the right reasons.  

They banter about hunting for a length of time- so in the editing process, it was moved to after the show- an Easter egg!  So if you like hunting- stay tuned!

Elizabeth leads her friend's son, Zach, in Lectio Divina.  He's never done it before and is a champ at following along and being open to the Spirits promptings.

He shares about the skills of his two amazing grandpas.

And also pronounces Ephphtha pretty darn well.

Elizabeth is joined this week by Megan her son Max's girlfriend.

They discuss human precepts vs the commandments of God.  What defiles us?  What comes from without vs what comes from within.

Continuing the Jesus's discourse on the Eucharist- Elizabeth is joined by her friend and neighbor, Beth.  

Trusting in the Lord because He has the words of eternal life.  Stay with Him- stay with the source and the summit of your faith- His body, blood, and divinity.  "Will you also leave me?"

Do not abandon the Lord and His priceless gift of self in the Eucharist.

Luke 1:39-56

short episode as I have Covid and it's all I could muster.

Tracy, from Be Not Afraid, joins Elizabeth on this one.  Be Not Afraid is an outreach and support ministry that serves families who have received a poor prenatal diagnosis.  Tracy was Elizabeth's peer support in 2010 after she received a diagnosis of Trisomy 13 with her 7th pregnancy- Jedidiah.  They doctors deemed Jedidiah "incompatible with life" and encouraged Elizabeth to terminate and "move on".  Be Not Afraid offered such immense and invaluable support to Elizabeth and her family and through the years Elizabeth has turned and helped out as a peer for other moms experiencing similar diagnoses.  

Be Not Afraid is currently being considered for Our Sunday Visitors's ministry competition- where OSV will choose a ministry to fund with $100, 000.  But first they have to make a pitch in front of investors- like Shark Tank.