Daily Devotional: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, September 30

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.

Scripture Reading of the Day, Acts 21: 1-14
1 When we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 When we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail. 3 We came in sight of Cyprus; and leaving it on our left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We looked up the disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and proceeded on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, escorted us outside the city. There we knelt down on the beach and prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers and stayed with them for one day.
8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. 10 While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us and took Paul's belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, "This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' " 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, "The Lord's will be done."

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As Paul and his companions continued their journey to Jerusalem from Ephesus by sea, the ship they were aboard stopped along the way to pick up and deliver goods. At each spot Paul and his party were able to contact the Christian communities and find food and lodging with them. However, on several occasions Paul was warned by individuals that the Spirit had told them Paul should not go to Jerusalem because he would be bound, imprisoned and perhaps killed. Paul continued on, despite even the prophecy of Agabus in Judea. Paul had been told by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem; now the Spirit seemed to have changed its mind. What gives?

This account reminds me of a funny story I heard years ago: A preacher was visiting in a neighborhood, house to house, when he became hungry. At the next house the preacher said to the man who came to the door, “The Lord has revealed to me that I am to dine with you today.” The neighbor smiled and invited the preacher to sit down. Both sat on the porch, rocking and talking. Finally the preacher inquired, “When will lunch be served?” “As soon as the Lord reveals it to me” was the reply.

So, we may believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something when it may not be the Holy Spirit, but our own fears, desires or prejudices that are actually speaking. This is why, in the Episcopal faith, as well as many others, discernment of God’s will takes more than our own intuition can deliver. When I was first considering going into the ministry, the process began with a very clear call to be a deacon, yet I was required to have a committee of my fellow church members, a thorough introduction to what the deaconate would require, four years of study and the approval of my priest, my bishop and the successful completion of several psychological and physical exams. Now if we were all as clearly in touch with the Holy Spirit as Paul was, this might not be necessary!

But the lesson of my experience and that of the account in Acts, is: are we?

Deacon Doug Freebern

Monday, September 29, 2008

Daily Devotional, Monday, September 29

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, Luke 5:1-11
Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, 2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

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“Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

Simon Peter’s plea to Jesus echoes the feelings of many of us once we get it through our heads that we are totally unworthy of the bountiful grace bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ. “All I did was let him use my boat!” “All I did was visit my friend in the hospital!” “All I did was pick this guy up and take him to a filling station.” “All I did was ask God to save the people in the wreck I passed.” “All I did was…”

Sometimes we are so aware of our limitations that we fail to see what we do that is good. More to the point, we equate the rewards we receive with the effort or sacrifice expended, as Simon the good Jew did, and it takes a real adjustment to fully accept God’s grace as an actual fact in our lives. Let us be grateful for the fact that our salvation is assured and that God accepts us as we are. In the movie "Oh God!" when the man God has chosen to speak for him is taking a shower and suddenly God is there, God says to the startled man as he reaches for a towel to cover himself, “That’s okay, son, I know what you’ve got.” Throughout the Bible, in the stories of how God constantly chose messengers with great limitations and even sins, God “knew what they had” and chose them just for that reason. God is the one who does the work.

The Nike slogan, “Just do it!” is also God’s admonition: “Just do it! I know what you’ve got.” “I will be your mouth if you will be my hands and feet.”

Deacon Doug Freebern

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Daily Devotional, Sunday, September 28

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.

Scripture Reading of the Day, James 3:1-13
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

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The poor, maligned tongue! For a small organ, it gets us in trouble more than any other body part. Yet, when we consider the tongue as a work of God, what a marvel it is! It is so flexible that it can contort itself with almost unbelievable complexity, forming meaningful sounds in several thousand languages and dialects, taste an infinite variety of foods, sense the most minute changes in temperature and pressure, and make beautiful music to soothe the soul.

I wonder how James would have written this diatribe had he known one of the most significant admonitions of our time: “Don’t shoot the messenger!” It seems to me that to say the tongue is like a rudder of a huge sailing vessel, or the small fire that destroys the forest, is shallow thinking. For behold, even James acknowledges that with it we bless the Lord, and sing His praises. It’s not the tongue, it’s the mind! He knows that, of course. The mind wags the tongue, which makes the words, which harm the soul or bless God’s creation.

If we want to curb the tongue, let’s tame the mind; this is, after all, one of the primary challenges of all religions, and the work of a lifetime. But let’s not say, “My tongue made me do it.”

“Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and take not your holy spirit from me.”

Deacon Doug Freebern

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Daily Devotional, Saturday, September 27

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Tomorrow we will sing this powerful hymn as our first hymn of worship.

At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him King of glory now;
'tis the Father's pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Humbled for a season, to receive a Name from the lips of sinners,
unto whom he came, faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious, when from death he passed;
bore it up triumphant, with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead, to the Father's breast;
filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name him, Christians, name him, with love strong as death,
name with awe and wonder and with bated breath;
he is God the Savior, he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshiped, trusted, and adored.

In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue all that is not holy,
all that is not true; crown him as your Captain in temptations' hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.

Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father's glory o'er the earth to reign;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow;
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.

Caroline Maria Noel (1817-1877)

With every hope that you will know the presence of Jesus, the Christ, in your life.

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Friday, September 26, 2008

Daily Devotional, Friday, September 26

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This has been a "patch up" and "fix up" kind of week. A cataract was removed from my husband's eye. A friend fell and suffered a nasty break in her arm. And the back side of a tooth fell off in my mouth. Each of us needed "patching up", "fixing up", some emergency mending.

As I sat in the dentist's chair waiting for my very compassionate dentist to give me some immediate help until a more permanent repair can be made, I thought about all the times in life when I've needed "first-aid" kind of help for various things that go wrong with my physical body. I've always known who to call on and have been blessed with reliable medical attention when needed.

But what about "first-aid" for spiritual needs? And do I only seek spiritual "patching up"? And I satisfied just to "fix up" the spiritual maladies that need attention? Why not go for the complete cure? Why not trust the Love of God as shown to me in Jesus to restore me to a clean bill of spiritual health?

Just look at what Jesus did in today's gospel story. He recognized the unclean spirit in a man (and the unclean spirit also recognized Jesus), and commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. The story tells us that the unclean spirit "came out of him without having done him any harm." I'm not equating cataracts, broken arms, cracked teeth with "unclean spirits"! I am considering, though, that whatever clouds our spiritual vision, whatever is broken in our relationship with our Creator, whatever seems to be decaying and cracking apart in our spiritual security – Jesus recognizes our need and is ever ready to restore us to spiritual wholeness.

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Daily Devotional, Thursday, September 25

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Luke 4:14-30
14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" 23 He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, "Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, "Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.' " 24 And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

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"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me."

When we teach our children the ABC's, when we are delighted they can count to 10, when we are sure they are budding artists because they know the primary colors – we have barely touched on the truly essential needs of their education.

In today's gospel, Jesus amazes his listeners with his knowledge of scripture. When he shows a deeper, spiritual understanding of God's Word, his hometown listeners' amazement turns to annoyance. How could this man – raised in their midst, son of their neighbors, known by them for years – how could he return to his hometown knowing so much?

Could they simply have forgotten that Jesus had been carefully taught? Could they not realize the importance of the lessons Jesus learned, the examples he followed as he grew up were helping to inform the young man they now feared? Could they not recognize the Spirit of God in their presence?

What are we teaching our children? Which of our children will return as adults to amaze and bless us with the fruits of our labor – a life lived knowing and evidencing "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me"?

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, September 24

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, Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, "One does not live by bread alone.' " 5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.' " 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' 11 and "On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' " 12 Jesus answered him, "It is said, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' " 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

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Yesterday my husband had surgery to remove a cataract from his eye. The hoped for result of this surgery (his second) is that vision will be improved and sight will be enhanced. While waiting for the completion of the surgery, I thought about the importance of vision – both the sight in our eyes, and the vision of spirit. What encourages us to want good, even perfect, vision? The answer when considering eyesight is easy! The desire for better spiritual vision can become more complicated, especially when improved spiritual understanding leads to an awareness of needed, and often difficult, changes in our lives!

In today's gospel Jesus is presented with opportunities to alter his spiritual vision when the devil offers three very appealing choices to Jesus. We may think the answers were easy for Jesus. After all, he had God on his side! But factor in the human side of Jesus (he was fully human, too) and those temptations become much more real. Where did Jesus get the answers? Did he simply make them up in the moment?

References tell us these three answers: "One does not live by bread alone"; "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him"; "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" – were all preceded with the phrase "scripture says" (ref. The New Jerusalem Bible). And, indeed, we find all of these statements in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy – 8:3, 6:13, 6:16.

Jesus knew, and understood, scripture. He had been carefully taught, raised to know the teachings of the Jewish scripture. And he knew the power of the Word of God to protect and sustain, as well as to teach and instruct. Jesus' spiritual vision was made whole and clear through knowing God's Word as recorded in scripture.

Want to improve your spiritual vision? Read God's Word. Read the Bible. And watch out! You may begin seeing signs and wonders of God all around you!

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, September 23

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, Luke 3:15-22
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

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"So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people."

When the prophetic message of John, the baptizer, gave people reason to believe he might be the promised Messiah, John answered, " . . . one who is more powerful than I is coming." How do we recognize that "more powerful one", the promised Messiah of God?

We've all experienced people who would have us believe they have all the answers we could ever need, all the truth ever revealed, the only way to the saving grace of God. And still, with all their answers, all their truth, their "only way" – there remains a hollow place in our hearts, a yearning to know the Truth, the Way, the Messiah.

How to fill that hollow place? How to recognize the Truth, the Way, the Messiah? A starting place could be using a guide offered by Paul in his letter to the Philippians (2:3-6): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited."

And then watch for that Holy Spirit dove circling around you and listen for that wondrous Voice just waiting to announce to you: "You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Monday, September 22, 2008

Daily Devotional, Monday, September 22

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace to continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Luke 3:1-14
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' " 7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" 11 In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." 14 Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

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"The voice of one crying in the wilderness"

Have you ever heard the voice of one crying out in the "wilderness" experiences of your life? Did the voice promise that you would see the "salvation of God"? Did the voice tell you how to find your way through your wilderness, how to find the straight path, how to make the rough ways smooth?

Or did your wilderness overwhelm you to the point you could hear only a message of despair, of hopelessness, of abandonment?

A lullaby that I've sung so many, many times to my children and grandchildren begins with a profoundly spiritual direction for those needing a quieting, a centering: "Hush, little baby, don't say a word." The song promises a mockingbird and other surprises if the sleepy baby will only "hush". When we "hush" to listen in stillness of mind and spirit, we can expect the most wondrous of surprises. We very possibly may hear the still, small, powerful, life-restoring voice of the Spirit of God saying, "Hush, little baby, don't say a word. I promise I love you! I promise you need not be afraid."

Thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Daily Devotional, Sunday, September 21

Collect of the Day
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
1 "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 "And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
16 "And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

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Our lives are blessed when we know a person whose life shows us what Jesus looks like, not the actual physical "look" of Jesus, but the very essence of the Son of God. What do we see in such a person? In the epistle of Paul to the Galatians (5:22) we are given a wonderful "picture" of the "look" of Jesus. We are told "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control." To see these characteristics in a person is to get a glimpse of Jesus, the Christ.

We're cautioned in today's Gospel reading to beware of false piety, a self-centered act of "holiness" which is empty of the spiritual depth reflected in the holiness of a Christ-centered life. What do people see when they look at you? What do you look for in other people?

The lyrics of a song written many years ago asks these questions:
"I look around me and what do I see?
I see a beautiful world that God made for me.
I look around me and what do I know?
I know that God, who made this world, is loving me so.
I look around me and what do I feel?
That the sufferings and sorrows of this world are real.
I look around me and what do I know?
That the children of this world need Jesus so.
I look around me and what do I see?
I see my brothers and sisters looking at me.
And I pray, Jesus, that they will see
only the Light of Thy Love shining in me."
From The Look-Around Song – D. McCreary

Pray that you will see the Light of the Love of Jesus shining in you each time you look in the mirror! Pray that you will have vision to see the Love of Jesus in others.

thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Daily Devotional, Saturday, September 20

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With this lesson we are about to leave the Gospel of John and move on to Luke. We have been privileged to follow Jesus through his life of mission and ministry toward the cross – his death and resurrection. In the process we have been asked repeatedly to follow in his way – his footsteps – his ministry. If you have been reading and reflecting day to day, like me, you have probably said, “Yes, I want to follow him.” What we have probably said in unspoken ways is, “Well, sort of.”

If we were to truly follow Jesus, what he said of himself would be true for us. When people see and hear us, they would see and hear the one we follow. The light of Christ would readily be seen in us in our attitude and actions – even more deeply, in our spirits. Like Jesus we would not be a judge for others, but a word, a living/loving Word, to others as Christ lives in us.

Thank you for reading the Daily Devotions. I think such daily readings from Holy Scripture and time in pray are necessary to fully (even partially) live the Christ Life. Be in church tomorrow to worship God and share in the Sacrament. Then leave to be more fully the disciple who lives day by day in the Christ Life in a broken and needy world. Christ is counting on you – as are the people around you.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Friday, September 19, 2008

Daily Devotional, Friday, September 19

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The last portion of this Gospel is hauntingly familiar today. After describing how many people didn’t believe in Jesus, John said: “Nevertheless many even of the authorities believed in Jesus, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

What a description of Church and Society today! How many of us are controlled both by our fear of how others may react to us if we are “too Christian” – and at the same time say and do things with the hope of being praised or accepted by others? That’s when “carrying our cross” becomes more than we are willing to commit.

We need Christian people who will speak and act in ways that counter the so called “Religious Right.” There are positive alternate views of the Christian life and issues which are much more in keeping with the person and spirit of Jesus – but we need people of courage and insight and devotion who will make themselves known – going beyond fear of rejection and seeking only God’s approval.

At the same time we need Christians who will take what they know and believe while in Church to the secular world. Issues and needs of justice and peace are all around us. Christ is eager for us to move beyond our fears and need for praise to be a voice in the wilderness – a voice of grace and accountability.

Otherwise, Jesus will have to live and die alone – again and again.

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Daily Devotion, Thursday, September 18

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 Reading of the Day, John 12:27-36a
Jesus Speaks about His Death
27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgement of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people* to myself.’ 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains for ever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ 35Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’

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This is a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel and yet another reason why one should seriously consider the cost of following Jesus before volunteering. His way was that of the cross – in his life and in his death.

This Gospel is also used for Holy Cross Day which was last Monday (moved from Sunday). We Episcopalians love crosses. They can be found everywhere in our church. We decorate our homes with them. We wear them as do many people whether they are Christian or not. They come in all shapes, sizes and designs. The cross is perhaps the most significant image of our faith.
Yet, the most important cross is the one placed on our foreheads with Holy Oil at our Baptism when we are sealed as Christ’s own forever. Second, the cross made on minds, lips and heart at every reading of the Holy Gospel is a constant reminder that we are to live in the way of Jesus –the way of the cross – the way of sacrificial love. The classic quote from Jesus on this subject: “If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself daily and take up his cross and follow me.” With that in mind, are you really ready? This is the way of life.

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Daily Devotion, Wednesday, September 17th, John 12:20-26

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The Gospel for today makes me wonder if we make church membership too easy. In the scriptures, some Greeks, who were likely converts to Judaism, were in Jerusalem and had heard about Jesus. They approached Philip saying, “Sir we wish to see Jesus.”

We don’t know what they had heard and why they wanted to see him. Could it have been Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God? Had they heard about the miracles including the raising of Lazarus? Had they wondered if Jesus might be the Messiah? We are not told.

However, we know that Jesus’ answer to this request to see him must have been stunning. Through vivid imagery, Jesus points out that to follow him is a demanding adventure. This is more than a foreshadowing of his death and resurrection. Jesus seems to be saying that a true follow must make the same journey of service and sacrifice. This is serious business – a way of life. Jesus’ way of being in the world is also to be the way of his followers.

This approach would certainly limit how much a church would grow. The expectations simply run counter to what most people are willing to do. A “watered down” Jesus seems far more appealing. We reason that if we can get people in the church, then we can grow them up to be really “Christian” over time – but does that really happen? Perhaps we should be spelling out Jesus’ expectations from the very beginning. At least that approach would be straightforward and honest about Jesus’ calling to each of us.

Well...I guess this would presuppose that we are all followers of Jesus just as described in this teaching. No one really takes this teaching that seriously do they? Next Daily Devotion please – this one is too hard!

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Daily Devotions, Tuesday, September 16th, John 12:9-19

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 of the Day, John 12:9-19
9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,‘Hosanna!Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!’ 14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion.Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ 16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’

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Did you notice in the middle of this Gospel lesson that there is a post-resurrection insert? Following the Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem, John reports: “His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him.” That is, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples recognized the import of Jesus’ life, ministry and specifically his grand and yet \humble entrance to Jerusalem.

I suspect there was a lot of that going on in the days following the death and resurrection of Jesus. After all they had trusted and followed Jesus throughout his ministry. Then they witnessed his arrest, trial, suffering and crucifixion – all hope was gone – or so it seemed. Then came the resurrection! That re-framed everything in a new light – new hope – new joy.

I have felt that way in recent days in the suffering and death of my friend, Sperry Zervas. We had been focused on walking through his finally weeks and then days and then hours. We knew the end was inevitable so we prayed, loved, provided the Sacraments and kept vigil. It is hard to see a friend and loved one’s life dwindle away. Today is his funeral. Since his death we have been remembering what a gift of God Sperry has been to so many people. The stories are truly life-giving of this Greek Orthodox friend of mine. Today we will celebrate is life and faith remembering not just his life but also the life-giving joy we know in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Monday, September 15, 2008

Daily Devotional, Monday, September 15

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 11:55-12:8
55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 They were looking for Jesus and were asking one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? Surely he will not come to the festival, will he?" 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where Jesus was should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

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Sometimes, when I am reading a passage like this, I wonder who I would be in the scene with such a cast of characters. Of course I would like to think I would be Mary showing such devotion – and perhaps preparatory grief. Maybe I would be like Martha trying to be sure everything was just right for dinner – I have played that role. There is a part of me that might very well have been like Judas – not necessarily betraying Jesus, but taking issue with the extravagance of the ointment when good stewardship would suggest a better use of the money – especially for the poor. Could that be so wrong if I am not a thief? Or, would devotion to Jesus become devotion to the poor and marginalized?

Goodness, I might even be a chief priest or a Pharisee trying to control what Jesus is doing – to lessen his challenge of my will and what I want – that is always a possibility. Perhaps I would be a seeker who is looking for Jesus and struggling with his message and mission – watching for him is surely a good thing.

If I could, I think I would want the role of Lazarus “whom Jesus raised from the dead.” There is no record of anything he said or did on this occasion. Yet, he had to be aware that the Passover was “at hand.” This annual celebration of God’s salvation history in the light of his “resurrection” must have made him wonder and reflect on who Jesus was and what he was about. From his vantage point, Lazarus must have observed the whole scene with a mixture of fear and hope.

I know that fear and hope well. May hope endure and perhaps be realized in Jesus today as we prepare to bury a friend – Sperry Zervas. Like Lazarus, Sperry now knows more than the rest of us. That is reason enough to celebrate come tomorrow and the Requiem Mass.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Daily Devotion, Sunday, September 14th, Matthew 5:21-26

Jesus opened his mouth and taught them saying: "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgement.' But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you , leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over t the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny."

Passing the Peace
There is nothing like the reconciliation of two friends – even more two enemies. Can there be any doubt that God wants us to live in harmony with each other – personally all the way to internationally?

The passing of the Peace in the Eucharist is much more than a warm greeting to friends and visitors in church. We are passing the Peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ to those known and unknown to us. This is all the more important when we are passing the Peace to someone with whom we are not a peace. That happens more often than we sometimes think.

One Sunday at the time for passing the Peace, I spontaneously added an explanation on what it means to pass the Peace of our Lord to each other. Then I encouraged people to truly pass the Peace. Later I learned that two people who had been at odds with each other for many months did indeed truly pass the Peace to each other. Then they knelt together for the Great Thanksgiving and took Holy Communion together. What joy!
Blessings and Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Daily Devotional, Saturday, September 13

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The Romans had allowed the religious authorities to have their temple and maintain their identity as the nation of Israel, as long as it was clear that everyone was under Roman rule. So many were beginning to believe in Jesus that the religious authorities feared that he would cause the demise of this relationship between the Jews and the Romans. The religious authorities were afraid that Jesus popularity would draw Roman attention and prompt the Romans to destroy their temple and disallow their identity as a nation. So, the religious authorities plotted to kill Jesus in order to save their place of worship and nation. Once again we have the focus on human things more than heavenly things. Jesus came not as the political Messiah but as the spiritual one.

There are times when we, not unlike the religious authorities in today’s gospel, gather data and make decisions that later prove to be based on faulty or misunderstood or incomplete information, or perhaps even misguided motives. From the perspective of the “human things” involved with the decision, there will be “human” consequences to live from the decisions made. All we can humanly do is the best we know to do under the circumstances. When we get new data, we reevaluate and revisit the decision.

From the perspective of the “heavenly things” involved with the decision, the “heavenly” consequences are that our Lord will be walking with us all the while, loving and forgiving, and drawing us back into that place where we can hear his voice, be centered in his presence and guided by his loving priorities. Scripture, prayer, wise spiritual counsel, worship, rest, safe activity, silence are some of the ways that help us find the guidance of his indwelling presence. May God bless you and your discovery.

Peace, Mthr. Mary Lou

Friday, September 12, 2008

Daily Devotional, Friday, September 12

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Jesus understands your pain. Jesus understands your sadness. Jesus understands you. To your inner most depths, Jesus understands you and cares about you and loves you. Your heart’s desires and concerns and joys are open to Jesus’ understanding, forgiveness, love and care.

Jesus loves Mary, Martha, Lazarus and all of us. Jesus sees all those who are mourning Lazarus’ death and we see Jesus’ compassion and love in his tears. Jesus weeps for them and for us. Jesus understands our pain. Jesus knows that Lazarus will be resurrected. Jesus knows their pain comes from their focus on this world. Jesus understands and has compassion and love. And, Jesus weeps with them and with us.

Jesus asks God to raise Lazarus from death so that we all might believe that Jesus was sent by God. Jesus gives the command and Lazarus is no longer bound by the confines of death. Later, Jesus gives his life and we all are saved from the bonds of death. Death does not defeat us. We have life eternal.

When your life brings pain, sadness, struggle, Jesus gives you his gift of joy: nothing separates you from his love, nothing defeats you, nothing takes him away from you. Jesus understands you. Jesus loves and forgives and cares for you. Jesus holds you in his eternal embrace. Breathe in and know his nearness. Breathe out and know his care. Breathe and know his love for you.

To your inner most depths, Jesus understands you, cares about you, loves you. Your heart’s desires, concerns, joys are open to Jesus’ understanding, forgiveness, love and care.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Daily Devotional, Thursday, September 11

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 11:17-29
17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21 Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world." 28 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you." 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him.

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Martha’s brother had died while Jesus was away from them. Martha believed that Jesus could have prevented his death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming to them, she did not wait. Martha went to where Jesus was. I suspect she knew it would be the best place for a private talk with Jesus, away from the mourners gathered at her house. Martha is teaching us important lessons for self care and problem solving.

First you go to a place where you can have a heart to heart talk with Jesus. We know that we can pray anywhere and at any time and that Our Lord is there for us. Sometimes, though, it helps us to return to a special place where we have felt especially close to God. Some slip into a pew in the chapel, some find that quiet spot in their garden, some find a “closet” space in their easy chair, some have a meditation center in their home. I have a friend who goes and sits behind the wheel of his parked vehicle to pray. Sometimes we can not get to the mountaintop air that holds for us such precious memories of communing with God; so we visit that spot in our remembering minds and we pray.

Also, Martha reminds us that when we are upset with someone, it is generally best to go directly to that person to work out the problem. If we were Martha, we might say: “I believe in you, Jesus, and in the resurrection. But, right now, I am upset with you because this is how it is with me: you let us down.” Then, we try to really listen to the other person with an open mind. Martha must have heard something good. She goes to tell Mary that “The Teacher” is calling for you.

Jesus teaches us all that He is the life and the resurrection. Believing in Jesus, we live even after death.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, September 10

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 11: 1-16
1 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, "Lord, he whom you love is ill." 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, "This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God's glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6 after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." 8 The disciples said to him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?" 9 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10 But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them." 11 After saying this, he told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him." 12 The disciples said to him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right." 13 Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. 15 For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 16 Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

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We all know of persons who risk their lives to save another’s life. A firefighter carries an injured baby from the Murray Building rubble. Joe Todd frequently writes for the Examiner-Enterprise interviews of veterans telling their wartime experiences. A terminal patient agrees to take a pill that could be a placebo in an experiment to find a dreaded disease’s cure. Senator McCain speaks of his prisoner of war experiences during his recent convention speech. The phone rings with a request to donate funds to help the families of law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty. A friend donates a kidney to save her twin sister. CNN runs a series of clips about today’s heroes. Saints of old are martyred. Even mercenaries risk their lives in another’s cause.

Jesus goes back into the area where they have tried to stone Him twice and are plotting how to successfully kill him. Jesus goes back there, risking His life to save another’s. Later, Jesus gives His life to truly save yours and mine and everyone’s.

Motivation for putting one’s own life at risk for another’s might be different for each person considered. We say we would do it for a loved one, especially a child. Jesus did it for a loved one and loved ones. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus loved Lazarus and his disciples and put His life at risk for them, and for us, in order to raise Lazarus, to bring Glory to God, and so that his disciples, then and now, might believe. Later, Jesus died for us all. Jesus’ motivation was love for you and for me, no matter how much we might not deserve it. Jesus’ motivation was unconditional love for all, even for those trying to kill him.

That kind of love is hard to grasp. The General Thanksgiving (BCP 101) calls it “immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ….” Basking in that kind of love can strengthen us to more easily hold others in unconditional regard. And, that brings us closer to loving neighbor as ourselves and to living in the kingdom of God. Sit up straight, take a deep breath, and sit quietly for two minutes. Abandon your thoughts by giving them to God; bask in Our Lord’s presence. When the two minutes are past, resume your place in the world: a loved and redeemed child of God, one ready to share life for the sake of another.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, September 9

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 of the Day, John 10: 31-42
31 The Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus replied, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?" 33 The Jews answered, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God." 34 Jesus answered, "Is it not written in your law, "I said, you are gods'? 35 If those to whom the word of God came were called "gods'—and the scripture cannot be annulled— 36 can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, "I am God's Son'? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
39 Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands. 40 He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. 41 Many came to him, and they were saying, "John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true." 42 And many believed in him there.

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Throwing stones at God – that’s absurd, that’s violent, that’s audacious, to say the least. What anger and conviction must have been motivating such action! Even when considering that the religious authorities thought Jesus was only human, and not divine, throwing stones was at the least violent. And this was the second time Jesus avoided death by stoning, because His time had not yet come. Oh, dear Jesus. I am so sorry this happened to you. Oh, no. I, too, have thrown stones at you. Oh, dear Jesus.

Anger gets in our way of thinking clearly, reasoning intellectually, and acting effectively. But, anger is a helping emotion, a gift. Anger alerts us that something is wrong and needs our attention. Then, there is the fork in the road: we either express our anger in a manner that harms no one nor no thing OR we express our anger in a negative way that does harm. When we have expressed our anger in a positive way, then we are ready to move to true problem solving.

Have I not thrown stones of harm with angry words, a whispered rumor, a calm but cutting remark, a truth told when it was received by the heart like a piercing sword? Or, were not some of those stones actions that killed a spirit, squelched creativity, stunted a positive and realistic self-esteem? Have I thrown stones that were pollution to your creative gifts of nature, squander of your bubbling brooks of resources, destruction to your love buried in unrealized potential? Some of those stones were unintended. Some of them were thrown at myself and some were thrown far away and some near. And, were not some of those stones thrown at those I love most? Oh, dear Jesus. You reside in each of us. Your abundant gifts surround us. When stones are thrown, they are thrown at you. Oh, dear Jesus. I have thrown stones at you. I am so sorry this happens to you. Oh, dear Jesus. I have thrown stones at you. Oh, dear Jesus, I need your forgiveness, mercy and grace. Oh, dear Jesus, I need your unmerited, unconditional love.

Dear Jesus, You take away the sins of the world, You are the Holy One, You are the Lord, You “are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.” (BCP 95)

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Monday, September 8, 2008

Daily Devotional, Monday, September 8

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 of the Day, John 10: 19 – 30
19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?" 21 Others were saying, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

22 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. 30 The Father and I are one."

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The religious authorities were trying to be so good at who they were that they completely failed. They were the ones who were to have superior knowledge about all the law and all the prophets taught about who God is and about pleasing God. They were to protect the purity of this knowledge, lead others to obeying it and govern over how others where to live by it. They were used to being right and they were in positions of power and influence. Jesus was quite a challenge. They were trying so hard that they could not even hear what Jesus was saying.

I am more like them than I like to admit. Life experiences, formal and informal education, intellectual abilities, compassion and sensitivity, resources, even gifts and graces prepare us to teach, guide, interpret and influence. You decide about you; but I know that there are times that I am so intent on being good and doing good that I do not hear Jesus.

Sometimes I do not hear Jesus because the person in front of me, near or far, is quite a challenge and/or very different. How can I see past the offensiveness to my senses, past the difference to my being to the goodness inside the person, to the goodness that longs to be acknowledged and befriended, to the same spirit that lives in me and yearns to be loved?

Sometimes I do not hear Jesus because I am just too busy or so caught up in the task at hand that I take Jesus for granted and so do not really hear Him. The religious leaders made the mistake of having Jesus “sized up” and decided what they would do with him. When I take Jesus for granted I am missing out. Jesus is never boring. We’ll never comprehend the completeness of Our Lord this side of death.

One way to hear Jesus is to ask for the Lord’s presence at the onset of an activity or conversation. Of course the Lord is present always and it is we who are or are not acknowledging Him. But, asking both acknowledges Him and puts us in a more open, receptive, listening, and following relationship with Him.

Remembering that “hearing” Jesus often times involves no words at all but just “being” in His presence, a wise person gave me a valuable gift. She said, “Mary Lou, form the habit of each time you reach for a door knob or latch, say: ‘I’m coming to be with you, Lord.’”

May God help us form those kinds of habits that place us ever more in the Lord’s presence and “hearing” Jesus.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Daily Devotional, Sunday, September 7

Collect of the Day
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 5:13-20
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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Being the salt and light of the world is an enormously important and challenging responsibility that opens up all kinds of opportunities to help make Christ know in the world. We are honored by being trusted with this mission: to help preserve meaningful life, to bring forth flavor in true living, and show the way to the kingdom of God. The enormity of the task can be daunting and stall us in our tracks. Our responsibility goes beyond all the laws and the prophets. Like with the most challenging opponent or toughest assignment, preparation and pace and partnerships are critical for success.

Preparation comes best from being nurtured in a loving, caring Christ influenced environment and from our individual spiritual growth and development. Families are the front-line training teams and our churches are right there to help individuals and families and groups. Needs arise and schools and community groups form also to help fill in the gaps. Preparation is critical for fulfilling our honored responsibility.

Pacing for this responsibility includes knowing how much of ourselves to give when and where. I value persons making a thoughtful response when deciding whether to accept or decline an offer to be in ministry here or there or over there, too. Pacing also includes the decision of balancing “to give” with “to refresh.” We are just one week away from the national holiday when our society pauses from normal labor tasks. We do this each Sunday (and other times) for worship and pausing for spiritual refreshment and encouragement. Pacing is critical for participating in our honored responsibility.

Partnership is the most important element for responding to the honored responsibility given us. Whoever we are, whatever we do, wherever we go, however we engage, whenever we are preparing, pacing or participating in our honored responsibility, what is most critical is that we partner with Our Lord. To be the salt and light of the world is indeed an enormously important and challenging and expansive and honored responsibility. We will fail if we try to do it alone. Pause right now and with at least one deep breath, praise the One who abides within you and understands you and loves you so immeasurably.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Daily Devotional, Saturday, September 6

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.

Scripture Reading of the Day, Acts of the Apostles 13: 26 – 43
26 "My brothers, you descendants of Abraham's family, and others who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 Because the residents of Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize him or understand the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath, they fulfilled those words by condemning him. 28 Even though they found no cause for a sentence of death, they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29 When they had carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead; 31 and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you.' 34 As to his raising him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "I will give you the holy promises made to David.' 35 Therefore he has also said in another psalm, "You will not let your Holy One experience corruption.' 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, died, was laid beside his ancestors, and experienced corruption; 37 but he whom God raised up experienced no corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; 39 by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, that what the prophets said does not happen to you: 41 "Look, you scoffers! Be amazed and perish, for in your days I am doing a work, a work that you will never believe, even if someone tells you.' "
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people urged them to speak about these things again the next sabbath. 43 When the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

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“Look, you scoffers! Be amazed and perish, for in your days I am doing a work, a work that you will never believe, even if someone tells you.”

Perhaps the most important, yet most debated act recorded in the Bible is the raising of Jesus from the dead. Paul recounts the Bible prophecies in the Psalms and the events that lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, to the converts at Antioch. He stresses that the lack of belief and understanding of their own scriptures led directly to Jesus’ death on the cross and pleads with them to not let that ignorance keep them from salvation then and there.

In our own scientific, very materialistic view of the world we tend to dismiss those promises held within scripture pertaining to Christ in the world today as either metaphorical or misrepresentation. The expectations of the miraculous, and the belief that all things are possible to God, have in large measure slipped from the pinnacle of religious faith they once held. They have been replaced with a practical ‘realism’ that may be self-fulfilling. Many Christians can recount amazing occurrences in their prayer life that beg explanation and may be shrugged off by physicians and others.

We may be wise, however, to heed the admonition quoted by Paul, “Look you scoffers!” We are young yet in God’s kingdom and even though it may appear that we know much about the universe’s physical laws, we are still mostly ignorant of God’s laws. To this Christian, who has experienced just enough hard to explain events to keep me waiting for more, the jury is still out on Jesus’ miracles and especially on his physical resurrection. The lessons all this week have stressed the ignorance of people who claim to know about God, and reminded us of the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us glean all we can accept from the Holy Scriptures and allow ourselves the hope and expectation of MORE. Our God is a God of surprises!

Your friend in Christ,
Deacon Doug

Friday, September 5, 2008

Daily Devotional, Friday, September 5

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 9:18- 41
18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" 28 Then they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" And they drove him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him." 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, "We see,' your sin remains.

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“There are none so blind as those who will not see.” When we say that a material is dense, we mean that it is heavy for its size, and often light can’t penetrate it. When we say a person is dense, we aren’t referring to their weight, usually, but it’s certainly true that light or even simple logic won’t penetrate their brain. How ironic that the Jews questioning the blind man are more blind than the blind man!

We all have our “blind spots” though, don’t we? The parable of The Good Neighbor and this story have much in common. In the parable, a priest and a Levite, each coming upon a wounded victim of robbery, who as men of God should help him, pass by instead. But a Samaritan, one who is scorned by the Jews, actually stops, has compassion on the wounded man, and tends to him.
In the story of the blind man who Jesus heals, the Jews (representing the Jewish religious establishment) can’t accept the obvious healing of the blind man because they themselves are blind to how the acts of God can manifest themselves. They act like dense dolts compared to the blind man! I love this quote of what the blind man says to them: “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to him who worships him and obeys his will. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

We tend to stereotype the holy, set limits on what a spiritual person looks like, acts like, believes, etc. If one came along who could touch our heart, heal our ills, answer our questions or assist with our dilemmas, but was a woman or a person of another color or religion or perhaps a homosexual, then we might draw back and question how such a one could be of God. This is actually happening in many churches and religions around the world today. We call it intolerance, but actually it’s blindness.

Likewise in our lives, as we seek direction in prayer or ask for healing, we may totally miss the answer to our prayer because we have a previous expectation of what our answered prayer may look like. The Jews prayed for the coming of the Messiah, yet when he came they couldn’t accept him because he didn’t act the way they expected. May we learn to suspend judgment and expectation when we pray, so that when God responds we won’t be looking in the opposite direction! If the Bible tells us anything, it certainly tells us to expect the unexpected when we ask God for help.

Peace, Deacon Doug

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Daily Devotional, Thursday, Sept. 4

Collect of the Day
Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that, as we have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and live in righteousness and true holiness; 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.

Scripture Reading of the Day, Psalm 37:1-18
1 Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday.
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous, and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to kill those who walk uprightly;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will abide forever.

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“Shall we descend together into the dust?” My heart is wrenched when I read these words. Something within me recoils when I think of death as final. Once, years ago, my wife found a lump in her breast, and my heart stopped with fear as I contemplated life without her. It’s telling how we often jump to the worst possible conclusion; it shows how close to fear many of us live everyday.

A friend had been telling me about how important it is for us to come to know Jesus Christ, but I was too sophisticated. The next few days while we waited for the doctor’s appointment, I sat in my bedroom or on the porch thinking dark thoughts. I envied people walking by who seemed happy and healthy. The last day, while she was at the doctor’s office and I was watching our young children at home, I cratered. Remembering my friend’s admonition to know Jesus, in my desperation I kneeled, weeping, on the floor and gave myself to Him. Suddenly, a warm feeling of comfort and relaxation swept over me, like I had been picked up and held. There was a loving presence that enveloped me and made me feel safe. Soon after that my mother-in-law called to tell me the lump was benign. I fell to the floor with tears of release, tears of gratitude.

Now I am blessed with this memory, so that when I fear the worst, I also remember my first encounter with the risen Christ. I know that no one can be assured that the outcome will be as happy as my first experience was, but I also know that God, through His son Jesus, cares for me enough to flood my shaking soul with calm assurance of his care. And because of this, the answer to Job’s question must be, “NO!” Come what may, our Lord is here with us. He will never let us go.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church

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