Stay in the Word

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

When you can’t get to Church

It’s tough when we are separated from our Church family no matter what the circumstances. In difficult times, it is even worse. We can feel lost or isolated. As Catholics, we mourn the loss of the Eucharist. It can help us to remember though, that Jesus is present in the Word. Indeed he is the Word.

The Catechism tells us:

103 For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord’s Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God’s Word and Christ’s Body.

104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, “but as what it really is, the word of God”. “In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them.

Read the Word

On the United States Bishops website, you can find the daily Mass readings and the entire Bible online.

This week, if your Church is not open, read and pray with the Scriptures. Discuss them with your family; if you live alone, call a friend on the phone or Skype, reach out to someone else so that you make a connection.

Keep Holy the Sabbath

The command to keep the sabbath comes from God.  Deuteronomy 5:12-14 says, “Observe the sabbath day—keep it holy, as the LORD, your God, commanded you. Six days you may labor and do all your work,but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God. You shall not do any work, either you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your ox or donkey or any work animal, or the resident alien within your gates, so that your male and female slave may rest as you do.”

Your home, your family, no matter how many people, is the Domestic Church. Are you able to keep the sabbath as a day of rest? I am not good at it at all, but as it is our challenge this week, I’m going to do it!

the not lukewarm challengeOur Not Lukewarm challenge this week is to make Sunday, the sabbath, a day of rest. Do only what is absolutely necessary, no extra projects or cleaning. Spend time with your family, read, go outside, play a game.

 

And, as a bonus this week, since most of us are probably a bit isolated and need a pick me up, join me on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 7:30 pm to Gather in Praise on a Facebook Live event. Like and follow me, An Every Day Catholic, on Facebook .

 

 

Podcast #31 Essential Oils of the Scriptures Part 2

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Podcast #31

Essential Oils of the Scriptures Part 2

Essential oils and the Bible go hand in hand. Oils are mentioned in the scriptures and after discussing how they have been used it is also important to talk about which oils were used

Frankincense Essential Oil

The oil is extracted from the Boswellia (“Bos-WELL-ey-ah”) tree. The tree needs to be at least 40 years old before you can extract 1 drop of oil from it. In Biblical times, 40 years was very significant as it symbolized one generation.

Ancient Uses:

  • anointing oil & meditation
  • transitioning to death & embalming
  • perfume
  • anoint newborn sons of kings & priests

Modern Uses:

  • Rub on chest and over lungs for a calming effect
  • Breathe deeply for emotional support
  • Use for healthy looking skin
  • Diffuse for overall grounding and focusing effect

Versus to check out: Matthew 2:11 & Revelations 18:13

Myrrh Essential Oil

Myrrh is actually from the frankincense family and it is steam distilled from a resin.

Ancient Uses:

  • fixative to lengthen the smell of perfumes & ointments
  • used on umbilical cords
  • oral hygiene
  • inhaled during labor

Modern Uses: 

  • antioxidant
  • healthy for the skin
  • aids in meditation

It is the first oil to be mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 37:25 and the story of Joseph. Then again mentioned in
 Esther 2:12, to be prepared as a bride for the King, Esther massaged with the oil of myrrh for six months.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

This oil is steam distilled from the bark of the Cedarwood trees.

Ancient Uses:

  • spiritual cleansing
  • disinfecting temple instruments
  • stimulate the mind and emotional cleansing

Modern Uses:

  • calming and grounding
  • helps support healthy skin
  • stimulates calming and peaceful emotions

Check out these biblical references in Leviticus 14:49 & Psalm 104:16

Cypress Essential Oil

Cypress leaves and branches were a source of medicinal oil from ancient Egypt. You can almost tell by smelling the oil how powerful it can be – cleansing, clearing and supportive.

Ancient uses:

  • the doors of St Peter’s cathedral are 1200 years old and are made out of Cypress
  • the custom of planting Cypress trees in cemeteries symbolized life after death
  • the cross of Jesus was made of cypress wood

Modern Uses:

  • promotes a sense of security and grounding
  • calming angry emotions
  • beneficial for oily or problematic skin
  • use on tired or sluggish legs.

Some biblical references to check out: Genesis 6:14 & Isaiah 14:8.

Sandalwood Essential Oil

It is steam distilled from the bark of the Sandalwood tree.

Ancient Uses:

  • support the lymphatic and cardiovascular system
  • calming the nerves
  • skin revitalization
  • aphrodisiac
  • meditation and prayer

Modern Uses:

  • comforting and relaxing
  • amazing for skin care, aftershave, and perfume
  • calming and emotionally balancing
  • used for stress and unwinding

Mentioned in the Bible several times and it was known as Aloe but the plant is what we now call Sandalwood: Psalm 45:9 & John 19:39.

Cassia Essential Oil

It is steam distilled from the branches, leaves, and petioles of the tree.

Ancient Uses:

  • ingredient in Moses’ holy anointing oil
  • a natural remedy to support healthy immunity

Modern Uses:

  • Supports feelings of well-being
  • High in antioxidants

Cassia is mentioned in the Bible over 50 times, Exodus 30:24 & Psalm 45:8 are just a few.

Spikenard Essential Oil

Spikenard is a very spiritual oil and comes from the same plant family as Valerian.

Ancient Uses:

  • anointing oil
  • to induce mediation
  • as a perfume

Modern Uses:

  • supports relaxation with a calming scent
  • high in antioxidants

Helps with calming and soothing emotions. This amazing oil is mentioned about 17 times in the Bible. Here are a few of them: Song of Songs 1:12, Song of Songs 4:13 and John 12:3.

Hyssop Essential Oil

Hyssop means “holy herb” in Hebrew. It is steam distilled from stems and leaves.

Ancient Uses:

  • spiritual cleansing
  • cleanse, purify and even to “forgive sins”
  • meditation and rituals

Modern Uses:

  • supports a healthy immune system
  • can help for occasional body soreness
  • emotional health.

Hyssop is mentioned a dozen times in the Bible: Psalm 51:9 and Exodus 12:22.

Myrtle Essential Oil

Myrtle is derived from Latin, the word means “chaste beauty.” It is steam distilled from leaves and has a clear, fresh scent, similar to eucalyptus.

Ancient uses:

  • religious ceremonies
  • supports the respiratory system
  • great for skin, hair, and nails
  • researched to help with glandular imbalances
  • used for meditation and lifting the spirit
  • balances of the female and male energies.

This is a must-have for singers love this oil because it helps to clear the voice. Mentioned in the Bible six times, in Esther 2:7, Nehemiah 8:15, and Isaiah 55:13.

Cistus Essential Oil

Cistus also known as the Rose of Sharon, looks like a rose and that is how the name is derived. It has a soft, fruity smell with honey overtones. It is a calming and uplifting oil that stimulates the five senses.

Ancient Uses:

  • heals wounds
  • respiratory support

Modern Uses:

  • used for meditation
  • oxygenates the brain
  • calming and uplifting
  • helpful for finding emotional balance and in counseling

Jesus is referred to as a “Rose of Sharon” in many verses, which refers to Cistus: Song of Song 2:1.

Onycha Essential Oil

Onycha is steam distilled from the resin of the tree.

Ancient Uses:

  • cleanser made sure the area used for sacrifices was free of disease, cleansed and purified
  • respiratory support

Modern Uses:

  • promote feelings of liberation and freedom
  • calming the emotions
  • wound cleansing
  • support healthy looking skin
  • stimulates the five senses: touch, feeling, hearing, sight, and taste
  • helps co-dependents find more balance

Available only in the 10 oils of ancient scripture kit. Do not diffuse, it may plug up the diffuser. This plant only shows up in Exodus 30:34 as an ingredient of the sacred incense.

Galbanum Essential Oil

Ancient Uses:

  • ancient anointing oil and was commonly combined with frankincense as holy incense
  • spiritually it was used to enhance meditation
  • Holy incense which was burned 24 hours a day in the temple

It significantly increases the vibrational frequency of other oils despite the fact that its own frequency is not very high. Combined with other oils like frankincense or sandalwood, the frequency rises dramatically.

Modern Uses:

  • supports the immune, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and other body systems
  • aid for troubled or mature skin.
  • allows for the shedding of old ideas and attitudes
  • grounding yet it leads us to surrender

This plant only shows up in Exodus 30:34 as an ingredient of the sacred incense. This lowly, earthy oil included in the Holy Anointing Oil, some wonder why? Some believe it represents the sinners who needed redemption, that it balanced the blend of oils.

There you have it!

There you have it. The 12 Oils of Ancient Scripture. These do come in a very special kit from Young Living- grab yours here. It now contains only the 10 most significant oils found in the Bible.

How will you use them: prayer, blessing or to support your body physically and emotionally?

As always be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!

Essential Oils of the Scriptures Part 1

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Podcast #30

Essential Oils of the Scriptures

Part 1

It All Started at the Beginning of Creation…

It all started in Genesis! From the very beginning of the creation story, plants and herbs are mentioned. Plants are not only fundamental for our planet, but they are also intimately tied to the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of people. This has been noted since the beginning of time.

These passages support that notion.

  • Ezekiel 47:12
  • Revelation 22:2

Herbs, Oils and Essential Oils Used for Incense and Prayer

Oils were essential to daily living back in Biblical times. In fact, the word “oil” appears in the Bible 190 times which is more than the words believe, grace and joy!

There are mixed opinions on whether fragranced oils (early versions of essential oils) were truly essential oils or if they were just olive oil that was heavily infused with different herbs and plants. As early as 3500 B.C. distillation pots have been found.

Biblical References to Incense

In Exodus 30:34-35, the Lord actually gives Moses a Holy Incense recipe. They then use that recipe later when a plague came through in the book of Numbers 17: 11-13.

Anointing & Oils in Ancient Times

Oils were used for both anointing and healing in the Bible. God also gives Moses a Holy Anointing Oil Recipe in Exodus. How cool is it that God is giving out recipes 🙂

Fun facts

500 Shekels is about 12.5 lbs, and a hin is 1 gallon. So this recipe made up about 24 quarts of oil! You can imagine the value of this oil blend! This blend was also put on wafers and unleavened bread and eaten, which shows that essential oils were used topically and internally.

The Importance of Anointing

Now, let’s back up for a minute and talk about the practice of anointing which was big in Biblical times and unfortunately has become lost over the years. The origin of anointing was from the shepherds of the day. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment.

The New Testament Greek words for “anoint” are:

  • chrio which means “to smear or rub with oil” and, by implication, “to consecrate for office or religious service”
  • aleipho which means “to anoint

During Biblical times, people were anointed with oil to signify God’s blessing. They were also used to call that person to role or position in their life.

We see this in the following passages:

  • The Anointing of Aaron: Leviticus 8:10-12
  • The Anointing of Saul: 1 Samuel 10:1
  • The Anointing of David: 1 Samuel 16:12-13
  • The Anointing of Jesus: John 12:3
  • Jesus and the Disciples Anointed People: Mark 6:12-13
  • God the Father anoints Jesus: Hebrews 1:8-9

This is just the beginning of Essential Oils and the Bible.

Learn more next week about:

  • 12 of the Essential oils of the Bible
  • ancient uses for them
  • how we can use them today

You want to grab your oils now, you can find them here.

As always, be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!