Daily Devotional, Sunday, August 31

Collect of the Day
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 5:1-12
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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The Beatitudes, also known as The Sermon on the Mount, were probably the first verses of scripture that I had to memorize as a child in Sunday School. When someone asked, usually prompted by my parents, where the Beatitudes were in the Bible, I would mechanically proclaim, “Matthew Five!” Of what Jesus was saying, I had not a clue. That message has taken years to really soak in, hence I didn’t see much of the Kingdom of Heaven as a young Christian. These verses are so familiar to many of us that I suspect we often say or read them mechanically, even as adults.

The word ‘Blessed’ which begins each phrase actually means something different from happy or blessed in the original Greek; it refers to an inner state of contentment that does not require an outer stimulus or support, more like what we today refer to as inner peace.

Although using these verses as a guide for how to conduct ourselves and how to live our life would be an improvement, I believe the Christ is calling us to a deeper relationship with Him, where His teachings, through the presence of the Holy Spirit, nourish and guide us. The behaviors that are ‘blessed’ then begin to flow out from us as a consequence of our relationship with Him, rather than being self-imposed. This way we are learning to become “more like Him” as He touches our lives and brings healing and transformation. How much better this result will be than a mechanical, self-imposed behavior pattern that lacks the spiritual roots to nourish and guide us!

Blessings, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional, Saturday, August 30

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 8:12-20
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." 13 Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." 14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." 19 Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

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The hymns of the church offer a treasury of meditation, prayer, praise, and inspirational texts. Consider this hymn, New Every Morning is the Love, found in The Hymnal 1982.

"New every morning is the love our wakening and uprising prove;
through sleep and darkness safely brought,
restored to life and power and thought.
New mercies, each returning day, around us hover while we pray;
new perils past, new sins forgiven,
new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
If on our daily course our mind be set to hallow all we find,
new treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
The trivial round, the common task, will furnish all we ought to ask:
room to deny ourselves;
a road to bring us daily nearer God.
Only, O Lord, in thy dear love, fit us for perfect rest above;
and help us, this and every day,
to live more nearly as we pray." John Keble (1792-1866)

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional, Friday, August 29

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 7:37-52
37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38 and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.' " 39 Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, "This is really the prophet." 41 Others said, "This is the Messiah." But some asked, "Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? 42 Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" 43 So there was a division in the crowd because of him. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. 45 Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not arrest him?" 46 The police answered, "Never has anyone spoken like this!" 47 Then the Pharisees replied, "Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? 48 Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed." 50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, 51 "Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?" 52 They replied, "Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee."

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This morning I spent time in a doctor's office waiting room waiting for answers that would affect the lives of my family. Would surgery be necessary for my husband? Could we trust the doctor's integrity and expertise in his diagnosis? How long could we safely wait to make a decision regarding the surgery? How long would we have to wait to schedule the surgery? How long would we wait to know if the surgery was effective in correcting the problem? Waiting. Waiting.

There's something humbling about having to wait, especially in a society that prides itself on being decisive, being independently capable of planning ahead and carrying out those plans. But waiting gives us pause to consider the possibility that something in us hungers, that somewhere deep in our spirit there is a thirst to know we are not alone in our waiting. We are not alone in making decisions. Jesus reminds us in today's gospel reading: "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink."

So in those "waiting" moments of your life, pay attention to the soul-thirst that could very well be the Holy Spirit nudging you to trust in God's love, to ask for God's guidance as you make decisions. Look to the example in the life of Jesus, the Christ, as you make choices for how you will live your life. Pray for assistance, for help, for answers. And, if you don't recognize the answer immediately, be content to wait!

Thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Daily Devotional, Thursday, August 28

Collect of the Day
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 7:14-36
14 About the middle of the festival Jesus went up into the temple and began to teach. 15 The Jews were astonished at it, saying, "How does this man have such learning, when he has never been taught?" 16 Then Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine but his who sent me. 17 Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own. 18 Those who speak on their own seek their own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and there is nothing false in him. 19 "Did not Moses give you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why are you looking for an opportunity to kill me?" 20 The crowd answered, "You have a demon! Who is trying to kill you?" 21 Jesus answered them, "I performed one work, and all of you are astonished. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (it is, of course, not from Moses, but from the patriarchs), and you circumcise a man on the sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I healed a man's whole body on the sabbath? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." 25 Now some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, "Is not this the man whom they are trying to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, but they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Messiah? 27 Yet we know where this man is from; but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from." 28 Then Jesus cried out as he was teaching in the temple, "You know me, and you know where I am from. I have not come on my own. But the one who sent me is true, and you do not know him. 29 I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me." 30 Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31 Yet many in the crowd believed in him and were saying, "When the Messiah comes, will he do more signs than this man has done?" 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering such things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent temple police to arrest him. 33 Jesus then said, "I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come." 35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean by saying, "You will search for me and you will not find me' and "Where I am, you cannot come'?"

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"A Matter of Perspective"

One of my favorite comic strips is Zits, the daily encounters of parents with a teen-age son. I'm sure my choice is influenced by the great similarity of this boy with my oldest grandson, and not just because they share the same name! In fact, I've suspected that Scott and Borgman, the comic strip writers, must surely have inside information about the goings on in my daughter's household. The two Jeremys are too much alike for it to be a coincidence!

A recent comic strip has Jeremy outside his second-story room sprawled out on a rather narrow ledge of roof gazing up at the star-filled heavens. He is telling his mother, who is chiding him about getting his history homework finished, "First I'm putting it in perspective."

"Putting it in perspective!" Wow! What would happen in our lives if we took time, simply stopped our busyness for a few minutes, shut down the brain whirring that threatens sanity and looked at life with a new perspective, a new measuring standard. We have the perfect measuring standard for how to live: the life standard given to us by Jesus, the Christ.

In a musical written in my not-too-distant-past there is a line in a song that advises one of the characters who is trying to make an important life-changing decision to: "Take a second glance, risk another look, and get a better view!" When we pray to see the world and those who dwell therein through the eyes of Jesus, we will be blessed with a "second glance, another look, a better view". And our perspective will be oh so much better!

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, August 27

Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Gospel Reading of the Day, John 7:1-13
1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. 2 Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. 3 So his brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; 4 for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world." 5 (For not even his brothers believed in him.) 6 Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. 8 Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come." 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 10 But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. 11 The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, "Where is he?" 12 And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, "He is a good man," others were saying, "No, he is deceiving the crowd." 13 Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews.

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"...some were saying, 'He is a good man'". Who do you say this Jesus is?

He was just a carpenter of Galilee and the world didn't know His name.

He came to change the world and you and me, this carpenter of Galilee.

He came. He came. He came for the world and you and me.

He called the young sons of Zebedee to leave family and friends.

"Throw down your nets, come and follow me. I will make you fishers of men."

They came. They came. They came to the man from Galilee.

All His life was spent in doing good. He healed the blind and lame.

But His gift of love was misunderstood, 'tho He came in His Father's name.

He came. He came. He came for love, not for fame.

and when He climbed that hill. And when He hung on that cross,

the world nailed him there with its sin.

It was God's love for mankind that let Him suffer and die.

And God's love for His Son that gave Him life again!

One day I met the man from Galilee and Jesus said to me,

"Show the world My love in our Father's name. My strength I'll give to thee."

I came. I came. I came to the man from Galilee.

He was just a carpenter of Galilee and the world didn't know His name.

But since He died and rose again, the world has never been the same.

He cam. He came. He came and the world is not the same.

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, August 26

Collect of the Day

Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Gospel Reading for the Day, John 6:60-71

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." 71 He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

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"It is the spirit that gives life"

We have a pigeon problem at our house. No matter how we try to shoo them away - and we've tried many things - pigeons are persistent. They insist on establishing residence in the rafter directly above the door leading to our patio. You can imagine the inconvenience this causes!

But, aside from the mess, there is something about our pigeons (they've claimed us as "family") that makes me think of the Holy Spirit. (No apology,necessary, God. After all, You created the pigeon!)

The Holy Spirit of God is patiently persistent in prodding us to awaken to and become aware of God's amazing love for us. When we are less willing to respond, this same Holy Spirit can seem push, pesky, an inconvenient disturbance to our self-centered wanderings. But, be willing to ask for direction for your life and God's Holy Spirit is ready to teach you how to be still, to listen, to discern, to begin to understand God's plan and purpose for your life.

I'm glad the dove is symbol for the Holy Spirit. It seems a lot more lovable than a pigeon!

a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional, Monday, August 25

Collect of the Day
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 6:52-59 52
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; 55 for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever." 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

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What does a Savior ask us to do?
Why would a Savior say, "Drink my blood...eat my flesh"? Why would a Savior say something so strange, so disturbing?
Could it be that the Savior knows the necessity of blood, that without this essential element our bodies cannot live? Perhaps the Savior understands the true value of the bread of life, without nourishment our bodies die.

Why would a Creator, the make of all things, choose to come among humanity in human form, come compelte with blood and flesh and skin and bones and all parts necessary to be human? Is it so the Creator-Savior can fully know how it feels to be human - the joys, the laughter, the pain, the sorrow, the compassion, the heartbreak of betrayal, the love of companions?

When we receive the bread and the wine, symbols of Christ's body and blood, not only are we remembering His love for us. We are also assured that Jesus, the Christ, is remembering what it means to be human. He knows that we need food and drink to nourish our bodies, but more vitally, we must have spiritual nourishment if we are to survive. Do we understand that we are spiritual beings learning how we are meant to live as humans? Thanks be to God for the Body and Blood, the break and the wine, our spiritual food.
Thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Daily Devotional, Sunday, August 24

Collect of the Day
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance ofthe glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ ourLord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Mark 6:1-6a
1 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." 5 And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief.

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What does a Savior look like?

"God has placed forever before our eyes, not the image, but the Very Person of the Spiritual Man. We have not to ascend into Heaven to bring Him down, nor to descend into the abyss to bring Him up, for he is with us, and near us, and in us. We have only to confess with our mouths that He is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead - and raised us in Him - and we shall live." - William P. DuBose from Lesser Feasts and Fasts - p.338, Church Publishing, Inc.

"If with all your heart you truly seek me. If with all your heart and soul you look for me, then you will find me." Words of a Savior - the Christ, the Messiah - who is eagerly watching for us, urging us to recognize Him and know Him as our Lord and Savior, cheering us on to be what our Creator means for us to be.

thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Daily Devotional, Saturday, August 23

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Day, John 6:41-51
41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, "I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, "And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

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Someone once said, “Murmuring is an art form.” Well, perhaps, but I can think of better art forms. The Israelites, having been freed from slavery in Egypt, spent a lot of energy murmuring against God, Moses and anyone else who didn’t do their bidding. Their murmuring became so extreme, they said life in slavery was better!

Those who opposed Jesus murmured against him. He was a challenge to their authority and way of seeing things. Once again we see the “earthbound” nature of their thinking and believing. They could not see God working in and through Jesus. They could not see the life of grace being offered to them. They could not see that Jesus’ way of being in the world was of God and the way for them to live the life of faith.

Murmuring is a negative attitude or perspective that is at best limiting and at worse destructive. I really hate it when I hear myself murmuring and I don’t like being around a bunch of “murmurers.” Jesus gently says, “Eat the Bread and start living again.”

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Friday, August 22

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 6:27-40
27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal." 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30 So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' " 32 Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38 for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day."

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Currently on Sunday mornings we sing a portion of this Gospel at the “Fraction” (the breaking of the Bread). Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” In that moment we know that God is present – Christ’s love abounds and we are truly fed in ways that form and empower us for the journey before us.

The people said, “Lord, give us this bread always” -- like they would always have enough food to eat. Indeed, they were like the woman at the well who wanted Jesus' “living water” so she wouldn’t have to come to the well again. Their thinking was so “earthbound” they could not see the life and grace he was offering them from God that permeates us and everything and everyone around us. As St Benedict liked to say, “Everything is sacred.” The “Bread of Life” frees us to see and know beyond the bread.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Thursday, August 21

Collect of the Day
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Day, John 6:16-27
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal."

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This Gospel story of Jesus walking on the water was the Sunday Gospel from Matthew just two weeks ago. I mentioned in the sermon how this story is not to be taken literally (otherwise walking on water would become a test of our faith just like Peter), but is to be understood in the light of Christ’s presence in every experience – especially in the dark, stormy and difficult times. Christ is with us -- always.

Following the service, I had several people stop me and talk about moments in their lives when life was so dark they didn’t have a clue what to do. They felt alone and helpless – even hopeless. Then in the midst of their darkness, they experienced God’s presence in ways that sustained them and gave them hope. As they told their stories, you could see in their eyes how meaningful the experience was then and now.

From the beginning to the end of the Gospels, including today’s lesson, comes this invitation to trust God: “Do not be afraid.” The shepherds heard that message at the birth of Jesus and the post-resurrected Jesus gave the same assurance to his followers. May God continually teach us how to live into the divine presence – especially when life gets hard and the path difficult the see.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, August 20

Collect of the Day
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 6:1-15
1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. 3 Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. 5 When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?" 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?" 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world." 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

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As a child I loved this story of Jesus feeding the 5000. I remember learning that the 5000 was only the men and didn’t include all the women and children. That’s a whole lot of people! Jesus was clearly a miracle worker. No one else could possibly do what he did in feeding all the people and having so much left over. Surely this was proof that Jesus was the Son of God.

This morning, as an adult (and priest), I entered the darkened church for Morning Prayer and I saw the Sanctuary Light brightly burning. I smiled and gave thanks. The candle is on the left wall (Gospel Side) near the Ambry were the Reserve Sacrament is kept. Every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, I make sure consecrated Bread and Wine is left over.

There is always more than enough of the Sacrament – ready for everyone who will open their hands and hearts for the grace of God and still be ready for more. The story of feeding the 5000 is lived again and again as people are fed – not as “proof,” but as an experience of God’s grace – grace upon grace for all who will receive him and those who are not yet ready.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Sunday, August 17

Collect of the Day
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 15:21-28
21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

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The woman with the twelve-year “flow of blood” was hesitant to talk with Jesus and opted to simply touch the his garment. It helps to understand that she was considered “ritually unclean” – indeed sinful and unworthy. Notice that when she was “caught” she came in fear and trembling and fell down before Jesus and told him the truth. She had already been healed, but now in a very personal way Jesus’ compassion flowed over her and blessed her all the more.

As you celebrate the Holy Eucharist today in your Community of Faith, you need not fear approaching God. Be as open and transparent as you can with your love for God and you need to be blessed by our Lord. Humbly kneel at the Altar Rail and hold out your hands and heart and be ready to be blessed.

Alas, how often we go through the day, even church, and don’t really expect to be blessed. May the woman in today’s Gospel teach us.

Daily Devotional, Saturday, August 16

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 5:1-18
1 After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." 9 At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.
Now that day was a sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." 11 But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, "Take up your mat and walk.' " 12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, "Take it up and walk'?" 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. 14 Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, and I also am working." 18 For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

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Near the healing pool there was a “multitude of invalids, blind, lame and paralyzed.” I have often asked why Jesus didn’t heal all of them. From my studies I know John used this story to tell of Jesus' ministry and his mission in a dramatic fashion. So the man was healed (without even knowing who Jesus was) and the pettiness of the religious leaders was exposed. Still, there is a side of me that wonders about all the other people who need healing.

And so it is in our world today. People in need are everywhere. Some are victims of natural disasters while others are victims of oppression and abuse. Many people are caught in the cycle of poverty – or illness – or isolation – or consistent misfortune. It can be overwhelming – unless I am willing to see a person or a family and ask myself, “How can I make a difference?” How can I be Christ to them? Musings and comments about the “multitudes” will keep me at a distance and perhaps make me even more cynical. Learning a person’s name and offering to help with the heart of Christ might change them – I know it would change me.

Daily Devotional, Friday, August 15

Collect of the Day
O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

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“This was the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.”

I was touched yesterday by a woman’s email describing a spiritual encouragement from God to help a co-worker. On the surface and in practical terms, she went far beyond what one could reasonably expect to help her friend who was caught in a difficult situation. She was convinced that God was “calling” her to extend herself. She was faithful to that spiritual prompting.

But there is more. She shared this experience with her daughter who seemed to not only understand, but validated her mother’s experience with God and her friend.

In reading the email I saw Christ at work in both relationships in remarkable ways. The truth is that Christ is present and at work all around us. As St. Benedict would say, “We have to listen and watch with the Heart.” And then, become participants.

Daily Devotional, Thursday, August 14

Collect of the Day
God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 4:27-42
27 Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" 28 Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" 30 They left the city and were on their way to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35 Do you not say, "Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36 The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

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Today’s Gospel completes the story of the “Woman at the Well.” Jesus took an ordinary act of going to the well and drawing water and turned it into an act of grace and an occasion of going deeper to the spirit life – for him and for the woman.

Notice how the disciples responded to Jesus when they returned from town with food and encouraged him to eat. Having just spoken with the woman about her spiritual life, Jesus was thinking of “spiritual food.” And, what was their response? They asked each other, “Has any one brought him food?”

The disciples were completely earthbound. They failed to see what was happening with the woman – even as she was leaving to tell her friends about Jesus. They could only think of their physical needs when something related to their life in Jesus was right in front of them. The spiritual dimension is always with us, but too often we go through the whole day caught up in other things. How easy it is to miss the perpetual presence of God. Brother Lawrence was right. We must learn to “practice the Presence of God.” What a difference that would make!

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, August 13

Collect of the Day
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 4:1-26
1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John" 2 —although it was not Jesus himself but his disciples who baptized— 3 he left Judea and started back to Galilee. 4 But he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8 (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, "Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" 13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17 The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, "I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you."

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This is one of my favorite stories. The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman just should not have happened – at least by the rules of religion and culture of the day. For Jesus it was a natural as could be. He was being his loving, personal self – full of God’s Spirit. But for the woman, this was a huge surprise that kept unfolding moment by moment. Surprised by God in this man of grace and “living water” in such a common place as a well.

Who will be surprised by God in you today? I’m serious. If you are reading this in the early morning, you know what your schedule is for the day. Who will experience Christ in you? What will you say or do that will break the mold of the expected to do what is needed – that will be grace and living water to someone? Just be spontaneously prayerful as you go through the day and let it happen.

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, August 12

Collect of the Day
Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Day, John 3:22-36
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized 24 —John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Now a discussion about purification arose between John's disciples and a Jew. 26 They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him." 27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, "I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.' 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease." 31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. 34 He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

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Not too long ago Lynda and I were eating dinner at a local restaurant when she spotted a professor friend at a nearby table. When she went over to greet her friend, she was introduced to several others at the table. One was the new pastor of a church in town. Lynda mentioned that I was the pastor (using Protestant language) of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. To which his wife whispered to him, “One of your competitors!”

I thought about that exchange when I read the Gospel for today. John the Baptizer had a good perspective on his ministry and that of Jesus. He set his ego aside to focus his ministry and the attention of others on Jesus as the Son of God. Unfortunately, by the time the Gospel of John was written some sixty year later, John’s disciples had lost John’s perspective. Their loyalty and competitive spirit was for John the Baptizer. They actually became barriers to the spread of the Gospel. The words in this Gospel story from John the Baptizer were to be a corrective.

We would do well to think of this when make judgments and critical statements about other churches – even other religions. John is a good model for keeping our focus on the message, attitude and way of Jesus. We are not competitors. We are partners with other seekers and proclaimers in living the Christ life and inviting people to know and experience God’s love in Jesus. As an Episcopalian, I am clear that Baptists, even Southern Baptists, and Roman Catholics will reach some people for Christ we will miss. How wonderful it is to be only a part of the Body of Christ!

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Monday, August 11

Collect of the Day
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 3:1-21
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, "You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God."

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This is the second week for Daily Devotions. As I mentioned earlier, St. Luke’s staff will take a week at a time writing a personal devotion or use some resource that has been meaningful to them. Along the way I hope other people in the parish may take a turn and offer their insights and share their faith.

People are just now beginning to discover the Daily Devotions. Notice there is a place to offer comments and provide feedback. Not every comment will be made public, but every comment will be read and taken seriously. We would welcome any feedback concerning the Daily Devotions. Do you find them helpful? How could we improve this feature to better serve our parish and the community at large? Do you have a story or an insight you would like to offer? If people find the Daily Devotions helpful, we will continue and let it evolve in ways that will make the experience even more meaningful. So, let us hear from you.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Sunday, August 10

Collect of the Day
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading, Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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Does it seem odd to you that there would be a Daily Devotion for Sunday? As Episcopalians, we are Eucharistic (Christ, Sacrament) centered. Being with our Community of Faith at St. Luke’s is a priority – unless we are out of town. Even then we have “make-up church” (Monday at 5:30 in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit) or we seek to attend church wherever we may be. Lynda and I love going to Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City when we are there over a weekend – which is rare.

The Daily Devotion is there for two reasons. First, there is a rhythm to the daily spiritual discipline. Time for prayer, spiritual reading and meditation is important every day – and Sunday is no exception. Second, if used in the early morning, the Daily Devotion is a good way to prepare personally for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Give it a try. I think you will understand what I mean.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Saturday, August 9

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John, 2:13-25
13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15 Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." 18 The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." 20 The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" 21 But he was speaking of the temple of his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. 23 When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.

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I remember hearing this story as a very young child. My friends and I playfully took on parts and acted out the story in our way. The big debate in casting was who would play the part of Jesus. Clearly the person who played the part of Jesus was the hero and justifiably could whip the others as being sinners. The disciples watched from the sidelines cheering – “Hit them harder Jesus. Get those sinners out of God’s house!” Eventually, the “sinners” would fall on their knees and asked for forgiveness. They were never permitted to fight back.

In reading the story today as a Christian/priest, I wonder which part I would be assigned now. What about you? How would you (do you) play each of the parts? Just thought I would ask. The question is worthy of prayer – on our knees. In the end, the church is the place for sinners – repenting and growing sinners as God’s people.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Friday, August 8

Collect of the Day
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel of the Day, John 2:1-12
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they remained there a few days.

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Isn’t this story of turning the water into wine a great one? I loved this story in my “previous life” and took it to heart even when prohibition was the law in Oklahoma. As a Roman Catholic nun told one of my seminary professors, “If God really objected to our drinking wine, he would have had Jesus turn the wine into water and not water into wine!”

Of course the story has deeper meanings (notice the plural) than simply turning water into wine. I want to encourage you to read it again and ask what God may be trying to teach you this time. How can this experience awaken a deeper faith in you concerning this Jesus in everyday life?

As I read it again, two other questions came to mind. First, how have I been surprised and blessed by Christ recently? And, how have I allowed Christ surprise and bless others through me recently? Hmm…

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Thursday, August 7

Collect of the Day
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading, John 1:43-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49 Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

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How ironic that as we have started posting St. Luke’s Day Devotions, the Daily Office has turned to the Gospel according to John. We begin with a fresh look at the life Jesus through the faith perspective of this devoted disciple and experience again the grace of God lived in human life. John not only reveals who this Jesus was to him, but invites each of us to wrestle with who Jesus is to us.

In this first chapter which started on Monday, we have reflected on the mystical and poetic description of the Incarnation of God, the proclamation of John the Baptist, the Baptism of Jesus and the calling of the disciples. Like me, you have likely read, even studied, this chapter many times. Yet, we are now in a different place in our journey – in our life experiences –in our relationship with Christ.

St. Benedict liked to tell his monks that life is full of new beginnings. Indeed, every day, every encounter and every prayer is an opportunity for a new beginning. I pray that this experience of Jesus through the Gospel of John in the Daily Devotions will be a new beginning for you – every day.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, August 6

Collect of the Day

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Day, Luke 9:28-26
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

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Daily Devotions is a new feature on St. Luke’s website. The prayers and Gospel lesson come from Morning Prayer in the Daily Office. When we are in full swing, there will be a brief devotional thought each day. Initially, these will be written by members of St. Luke’s staff. However, if anyone would enjoy writing reflections for the day, please get in touch with me. This portion of the Daily Devotions may be a quote, a story, an interpretation – anything that will provide a bit of encouragement and inspiration for the day.

Morning Prayer has been my primary spiritual discipline for many years. I have been more or less faithful to this discipline along the way, but I have always understood the importance of daily readings and prayer. So, as you use this spiritual tool or any other, know that I am also seeking to “know and be known by God” – to live into Christ and allow Christ to live in me more and more – to grow in the image of Christ on my journey. How wonderful it is to journey together – even by way of the internet.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional

Collect of the Day

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Holy Gospel, John 1:19-28
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord,' " as the prophet Isaiah said. 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.