Daily Devotional

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 25: 1-13
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, "Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, "No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, "Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' 13 Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

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This is a remarkable day -the first day on our new Church Calendar, the first day of Advent, the first day of our Liturgical year and we prepare again for the coming of God into our midst, born as one of us, teaching and transforming us as only Jesus’ love can.

Today’s gospel in the context of Matthew’s rendering is teaching us to be prepared and obedient to the last day when Jesus comes for the last judgment, to be prepared and obedient to the end of history as we know it.

Considering Jesus’ birth and Jesus’ day of the last judgment do both speak strongly to us about taking seriously the reality of God EVERY day. When we go about each day, doing God’s will as best we can, watching and seizing the day, loving God and loving neighbor as self in each moment; then our obedience does prepare us for the unexpected coming of Jesus, whether coming as birth or as last judgment. We will be prepared to come to terms with Jesus’ sudden appearance at any moment within our lives; and we know it does come in the kingdom of God. We keep anticipating; we faithfully engage with the present; we are prepared and obedient. But the most beautiful happening is that our being prepared and obedient brings us to loving Jesus more each day.

I pray that this Advent we are all overwhelmed anew with what a beautiful gift of grace is God’s love for us. We can prepare and be obedient; but even at our best we can not earn or even come close to deserving this loving relationship with the Creator of All that was and is and will be. It is God’s love for us that brings Jesus into our daily lives. We can prepare and be obedient as an expression of our love for this one who left glory to come walk among us and eventually suffer for us. We can prepare and be obedient as an expression of our love for this one who gives his abiding presence as Holy Spirit. Birth and death, first and last, obedience and grace, love and judgment – what dynamics we contemplate on this first day of Advent.

Evelyn Sturge puts it this way: “As wisdom dawns with age, we begin to measure our experiences not by what life gives to us, not by the things withheld from us, but by the power to help us to grow in spiritual wisdom.”

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional

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.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 20: 29-34
29 As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" 31 The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, "Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!" 32 Jesus stood still and called them, saying, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.

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“Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

“Lord, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?”

“Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents, that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”

This second exchange is not in the readings for today, but seems appropriate to add. Just as it is humanity’s sinfulness that separates us all from God, it is the presence of the risen Christ within us that reunites us in son ship with God through the reconciling power of the Holy Spirit. This is grace, and it is a gift. The gift is always offered but must be accepted in order for it to bless our lives.

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. We, both individually and as the church, celebrate anew God’s gift of his only begotten son. Most of us who are reading this today, have accepted that precious gift, and are growing in our capacity to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives into the image of Christ.

As Christ passes by, let us shout with one voice, “Lord, let our eyes be opened!” As we grow in grace and in our ministries, let us pray that our eyes are opened: opened to the hunger, the sickness, the depravity and the suffering in the world. The marginalized sit by the side of the road as the church passes by, crying out to us, “ Take us with you! Help us with our burdens! Free us from tyranny!”

Who did sin, these suffering masses or their parents, that they should be shunned and afflicted? Neither have they nor their parents sinned but that the works of God should be made manifest in them.

Let us go forth into the world, and let’s give them GRACE!

Peace, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional

Collect of the Day
Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed for his disciples that they might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your Church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son 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, Matthew 20:17-28
17 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, 18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; 19 then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised."
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

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“Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”

Imagine an ad in The Examiner Enterprise: “Jesus Christ, Son of God, is taking applications for two positions to be filled from within the ranks of his followers. Accompany Jesus and rule his kingdom from his throne.” The line of applicants would stretch all across the state and make international headlines. Then The Examiner-Enterprise prints a retraction that says, “ Oops! We made a typographical error; the ad should read, “Accompany Jesus and serve his kingdom from his home.” Whoa! Where did everyone go?

In Jesus’ kingdom it is not what we gain but what we lose that ushers in the kingdom of God. It is, in fact, our possessions (see Wednesday’s devotion) that keep us clinging to the world instead of accepting our sonship and entering the kingdom. As we approach Advent, let us look forward to Christ’s coming to our hearts and minds. Let us prepare him room in our hearts by throwing out some of the excess baggage we have accumulated.

Blessings, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional for Thanksgiving Day

Collect of the Day
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; 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, John 6:26-35
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."
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.

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“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Jesus has been teaching the crowds, but tells them they are looking for him because he has been feeding them the loaves of bread, but that their real need is to believe in him as the Son of Man who has been sent from God. He has been feeding them with the word of God. Admittedly, though, it is hard to grasp how words, even holy ones, can take the place of real food when your stomach is growling. Jesus knew this, so of course “creature comforts” were provided, either by plan or by miracle. Jesus, being human, was always aware of the human needs in the people he met. The unspoken question that needed answering in the hearts of those listening was “Once you are fed and not starving, what then do you hunger for?”

In our modern age, where most people have enough to eat, at least in the more developed countries, this is a very valid question. As Abraham Maslow, the great psychiatrist, taught in his ‘Hierarchy of Needs’, our physical needs must be met before we are really able to notice higher needs, like comfort, social contact, emotional health, personal affirmation, and finally answers to life’s biggest questions, life’s purpose or meaning. It is only as our most basic needs are met that we are able to turn our attention to others, to love them. Ironically, once this love is embraced and shared, even the basic needs of life seem to flow towards us. This love is truly the bread of life. By holding and hording out of fear we are impoverished. By loving, cooperating and giving, we are enriched.

I pray that your Thanksgiving table will be filled with the foods of the earth and with the bread of heaven, so that both body and soul are filled.

Grace and peace to you, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional

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, Matthew 19:23-30
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." 27 Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

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“…it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

This is one of those ‘gotcha’ statements that are meant to get our attention. Gotta love ‘em! So then, if a person is not rich, does that mean they can get in easier? What does one do that keeps him or her out, while what another does has the opposite result? Ah! As Jesus’ disciples cried out, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, (with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye?) “For mortals, it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Gotcha!

The man who had done all the commandments Jesus listed went away sorrowful because he had many possessions. We all, as human beings, have too many possessions. Some are characterized as wealth, while others are cares, false identifications, accomplishments we own, responsibilities we are carrying, personal traits we own (they are ours, aren’t they?), even our diseases, our fears, our failures- all these are ours, and we hold onto them. So, granting that we are all acceptable to enter the kingdom regardless of our answer, what possessions are we holding onto that keep us from accepting that we deserve to enter the kingdom?

Your friend in Christ, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional

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, Matthew 19:13-22
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
16 Then someone came to him and said, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" 17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." 18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 20 The young man said to him, "I have kept all these; what do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

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“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

When my daughter, Verity, was about two years old, I can remember vividly the earnest sincerity and steadfast purposefulness with which she approached her play; her tender, yet stern way of dealing with her animals (stuffed, fuzzy ones), her intensity as the world’s tallest block tower rose majestically in her bedroom, and of course the wide-eyed wonder as she listened to new stories or wandered with us in the woods. If she got hurt, she cried. If she was mad, she said so.

This openness to life, this matter of fact absence of pretense, this sweet assertiveness that would not be denied, represents to me the childlike nature that enters the kingdom. Some believe that children come to us from the sacred kingdom, and that the traces of the divine remain in the young child until we smother it in the ways of the world and the lesson that good behavior is what makes us deserve love.

Make no mistake; it is not the innocence of naiveté, nor the acceptance that comes from ignorance that our Lord is raising up as His standard. It is the trusting love of one who knows they are loved, the generosity of the one to whom much has been given, the tears of the child who knows her cheeks will be wiped and kissed as her fears are quelled and even the obedience that springs from the many examples of wise, gentle guidance.

This is the parenting we are offered as sons and daughters of God, with His son as our exemplar, and each other as companions on the way. This is not Peter Pan and Wendy; this is God’s loving of humanity, our loving faithfulness to him and to each other, and our remembering, through our children and their children, what we will be like when we return home.

Blessings, Deacon Doug

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.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Matthew 19: 1-12
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning "made them male and female,' 5 and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?" 8 He said to them, "It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery." 10 His disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry." 11 But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."

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“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”

For many of us, this statement by Jesus is difficult to swallow. Even Jesus admits that it sets a very high standard for human behavior. The admonition to remain with our spouse has more to do with Jewish property laws than it does morality because it was common for Jews to have other women either as wives or concubines. Could it be that Jesus is actually urging men to treat their wives with the same respect that they themselves expect? (Paul will later add that women should do the same for their husbands.) Perhaps. But the scripture is also clearly dealing with sexual relationships; the eunuchs Jesus refers to make that point obvious. Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 22: 30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” He is saying that the standard is based on life in the kingdom of heaven, not upon life in the world, and admittedly it may be more than we can accept. In fact, one of the primary teachings of Christianity is that it is impossible for human beings to live perfectly in accordance with the Law; that’s why we must be saved by grace, by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. As we learn to live in relationship with the Spirit, our thoughts and actions become more Godlike as we are gradually transformed in accordance with His will for us.

Peace, Deacon Doug

Daily Devotional

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, Luke 18:1-8
1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, "Grant me justice against my opponent.' 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, "Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.' " 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

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"…the need to pray continually and never lose heart."

When one of my granddaughters was old enough to understand that "please" was an important word, but not quite old enough to grasp the concept of begging and pleading continually until the recipient of the begging finally gave in, she would frequently begin her requests with, "Please, please, please, please, please…." Getting more insistent with each repetition. It was amusing to this grandmother to watch this little girl, not much more than a toddler, working to get her wishes known! In her child's way of looking at life, she had no doubt but that her parents would grant her every desire if only she said "please" enough times.

As parents (and, yes, as grandparents), we know our responsibility to keep our children safe, to determine when "wants" and "needs" might be in conflict, to know our children so well that we can guide them in the choices they make. Our children need to know that their "please, please, please" is heard and that we do listen to them.

How many times do we approach God in our prayers with an insistent "please, please, please…" and wonder if we are heard? Wonder if God even cares? Wonder if our prayers make any difference? Paul has an excellent suggestion for us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. He tells us to "always be joyful; pray constantly, and for all things give thanks." What an amazing formula that is for those of us wanting to move a little more deeply into conversation with God. (1) Be joyful! (2) Pray constantly! (3) Give thanks for all things!

Can you imagine how we would react as parents if our child approached us with a big smile and said something like, "I'm glad I'm your child!" And then that child talked with us about everything she needed to share with a trusted parent. Having enjoyed a wonderful conversation, the child then said, "Thanks so much for listening to me! I know how much you love me."

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

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, Luke 17:20-37
Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, "Look, here it is!' or "There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." Then he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will say to you, "Look there!' or "Look here!' Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left." Then they asked him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."

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"For look, the Kingdom of God is among you" (as something already present and active).
from "The New Jerusalem Bible"

In the musical, "People of the Inn", the Innkeeper Ezra, sings about the Messiah for whom he so eagerly waits. A part of the lyrics to his song are these:
"And all my life I've yearned to see, I've waited so expectantly to see
God's promised Messiah.
By faith I've lived since I was born, believing so, I know one day he will come:
God's promised Messiah.
Messiah comes with sound of thunder. His chariot leading the warriors bold.
All nations bow before the true Messiah:
a warrior bold, a prophet wise, a mighty king! Messiah!"

While Ezra sings this song of hope, a baby is being born in the barn behind Ezra's inn. It is the very first eve of Christmas.

How often do we miss the miracle of God's promised Messiah because we are looking in the wrong places, using the wrong criteria? "For look, the Kingdom of God is among you!"

thoughts of a fellow seeker/traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

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 17:11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

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On the way into Bartlesville Jesus was going through the churches between Adams Blvd. and 9th Street. As he entered St. Luke's Episcopal Church, ten people with needs for healing approached him. Being astounded to see Jesus in their sanctuary, they stood back and called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When Jesus saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests and those who pray for your healing." And so they did and as they went, they were – all ten of them – blessed with healing and wholeness. Then one of them, seeing that Jesus' promise of healing and wholeness was indeed true, turned back and, falling at Jesus' feet, praised and thanked Jesus.

Yes, this is most assuredly a paraphrase of today's gospel! It's true, though! On Sunday just past, we had in our midst at the 10:30 Eucharist at St. Luke's, one whose need for healing is profoundly felt by all who know her. The very presence of this precious child of God, so recently beginning a battle against cancer, was Gospel-in-the-flesh, the very Good News of God in Jesus. She came to be surrounded by the prayers of the faithful, to be strengthened by the community of believers and to receive the spiritual nourishment offered in the Bread and Wine, Christ's Body and Blood. We should all fall before our Savior in thanksgiving and praise for the witness of this child of God.

And the other nine? I'm trusting God's love to encourage them to return soon in thanksgiving and praise. Perhaps they've already come.

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

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, Luke 17:1-10
1 Jesus said to his disciples, "Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2 It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4 And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, "I repent,' you must forgive." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 "Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, "Come here at once and take your place at the table'? 8 Would you not rather say to him, "Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? 9 Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!' "

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It helps, in reading today's gospel lesson, to first read this text as recorded in Matthew (18:1-5). "At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?' So he called a little child to him whom he set among them. Then he said, 'In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Any one who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me.'"

My life has been richly blessed with a wonderful abundance of children, my own and those belonging to other parents. I've been privileged to raise children, enjoy and spoil grandchildren, teach children the joy of music and drama, encourage children and simply to marvel at the remarkable resilience and eager enthusiasm of children. When I read the verses in Matthew and imagine Jesus calling a little child to use as example, my mind's eye sees a bright-eyed, red-headed little boy jumping up and down wanting to be chosen by Jesus! (The image is greatly influenced by my youngest grandson!)

"Choose me! Choose me, Jesus!" And the little boy would be literally jumping over anything in his way to get close to Jesus, to be closer to the wondrous man who tells the great stories! Don't let anything or anyone get in this child's way. Remove every obstacle that could cause this precious child to fall or stumble as he runs to be with Jesus. Let nothing keep this child from reaching the one who promises life and faith and peace of heart.

You and I are both that child, rushing to be closer to Jesus, and the ones who need to recognize any hazardous stumbling blocks in our faith walk. Pray the God will give us the eyes of faith to see those things and situations that can become occasions for stumbling and that God will then show us the clear pathway around and over those hazards.

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 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 16: 19-31
19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' 25 But Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He said, "Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' 29 Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' 30 He said, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

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Be sure you have read today's gospel. And, just to be even more ready for today's meditation, open your Bible and read James 2:14-26. When you have read both of these passages, consider the life of Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln (England) who died November 16, 1200. In today's remembrances of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" we give thanks for Hugh.

He was born into a noble family in Avalon (France) and, as a young man, joined the Carthusians, the strictest contemplative order of the Church. Being an exemplary leader, he was invited by King Henry the Second to come to England as prior of a new Carthusian foundation. Hugh reluctantly accepted this appointment and continued his calling as God's servant.

What sets Hugh apart from the rich man of today's gospel is the way in which Hugh lived his life. He was humble, tactful, cheerful, and conducted himself with total lack of self-regard. His people loved him for his constant championship of the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast. He firmly refused to raise money for King Richard's foreign wars. Hugh witnessed quietly, steadfastly and with constancy of love and compassion. Hugh's trust in God and his faithfulness to Jesus as Savior shaped and gave substance to all his works.

Thanks be to God for blessing us with the example of servants like Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln.

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

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 23:13-24
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? And you say, "Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.' How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

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When I was a child listening to readings from the Bible and heard phrases like today's gospel, "Woe to you…," I had no concept of "woe" as being deep suffering, ruinous trouble, affliction, sorrow. I simply thought it meant "Stop!"

Reading today's gospel with a child's understanding of "Woe" equaling "Whoa!" does make sense. Consider reading each of the "Woe to you" sections with this underlying idea: if you do not stop (insert the activity being described in each passage), the result will be suffering, ruinous trouble, affliction, sorrow, both for you and for those who are recipients of your misdeeds.

Another way of reading today's gospel takes its cue from the translation in "The New Jerusalem Bible". Instead of "woe to you", the NJB reads "Alas for you". One dictionary defines "alas" as being an expression of unhappiness, pity, concern. When reading today's gospel with the underlying idea, "Alas to you", there is a deeper, heartfelt sense of God's "unhappiness, pity, concern" for humankind's failure to move beyond hypocrisy and vanity.

There's more than a little of the Scribe and Pharisee in most of us. The Good News (the Gospel) assures us that there is always more than enough of God's love and forgiveness to replace the S & P with more of the Christ-like attributes of love and compassion that mark us as Christians.

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

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, Luke16:10-17
10 "Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." 14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. 15 So he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 "The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped.

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Last night I got a call from a friend asking what the Bible says about integrity. She didn’t tell me what prompted the question, but I think it had some to do with her work context. To use a religious jingle often heard, “You should not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk.” To do so consistently is have what I personally value ever so highly – integrity.

When I experience anything less in another person, I tend not to trust them – at least not completely. And, when I am lacking in integrity, the “undivided life,” I can understand why people would not trust and believe me and why I feel compelled to be on my knees in confession.

We have an ugly religious word for this lack of integrity. It is hypocrisy! Too often we Christians give non-believers every reason not to believe because of this affliction. And, the greater our “hypocrisy quotient,” the less likely people will be to trust us and believe what we say about our faith no matter how many excuses and rationalizations we can conjure up.

Putting is yet another way, as I did with my friend, Christians living with integrity means people can readily see and experience Christ in all that we say and do. May God be merciful and grant us grace.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional

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, Luke 16:1-9
1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, "What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' 3 Then the manager said to himself, "What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' 5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, "How much do you owe my master?' 6 He answered, "A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, "Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' 7 Then he asked another, "And how much do you owe?' He replied, "A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, "Take your bill and make it eighty.' 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

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Well, quite frankly, I don’t like this teaching very much – actually not at all. I don’t really want to write about it – much less preach on this Gospel. As one commentary puts it, “There is nothing edifying about it. The steward’s conduct was characterized in the beginning by incompetence and in the end by flagrant dishonesty.” I agree.

I will offer two observations. First, the point of telling the story is in verse eight when the dishonest steward is commended by his shrewdness which is beyond the ability of the “sons of light.” Second, the application is in verse nine. If Luke is suggesting that Jesus thought of wealth in this world as tainted, then using it for the poor would bring eternal rewards for the “sons of light.” (see Saturday’s Gospel)

I’ll go with that until this scripture comes up again in two years – perhaps someone else will get the writing assignment. See you tomorrow.

Peace,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Thursday, November 13

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, Luke 15: 1-2, 11-32
1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his slaves, "Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31 Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.' "

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What an incredible verse of scripture: “While he (the Prodigal Son) was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

What relief and joy must have washed over this young, wayward and repentant son! Greater yet was the JOY of the father who had been waiting with “Arms Wide Open.”

In stark contrast is the absolute “joylessness” of the Elder son. He has become so accustomed to his privileged status as a son, even elder son, the joy was gone – indeed the joy had been replaced by jealousy and resentment.

I could ask, which one are you – right now? By right now I mean that we often go through cycles of one who experiences the joy of forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration and wants that for everyone. Then somewhere along the way the joy gives way to regrets, resentments and rebellion.

How wonderful it would be if the Father’s JOY and LOVE were flowing through every fiber of our being and ignited the same in the people around us. Isn’t that the Beloved’s desire for us, God’s beloved?

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, November 12

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 15:1-10
15Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
3 So he told them this parable: 4‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

8 ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

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Notice the JOY in the parable of the “found sheep” and the “retrieved coin.” Notice the absence of JOY in the Pharisees and the scribes.

Also, the Pharisees and the scribes were all too ready to call people “sinners” when they were often the least “fortunate and marginalized” people in the community and nation. We would never do that – we are too civil – or “religiously correct” – but I fear that our attitudes too often betray us as social, if not spiritual, elitism. And, like the Pharisees and scribes, we are not all that eager to own our personal sin – which is related to not quite loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and certainly not our neighbors as ourselves.

And so, we miss the JOY of loving God and neighbor – making a difference for people in need through acceptance, compassion and community as Christ-people. One of the things I have noticed over the years is the JOY people experience when they do something for others in need – the homebound, patient in the hospital, Special Olympics, serving at a soup kitchen, etc. The list goes on and on and people have an incredible sense of JOY, God’s JOY, in making a difference. Sin really isn’t an issue – only people and the love we have to share and the JOY that erupts.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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, Luke 14:24-35
24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.' " 25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. 34 "Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!"

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I “double dare” you to read this Gospel looking at Jesus on the cross! You can do it. Just use your imagination and visualize Jesus looking down at you. Remember the route he took in getting to this point – he had options. Yet, he was “filled with God” Jesus’ three year ministry was given to proclaiming the Kingdom of God, sharing God’s love with the “least” of the brothers and sisters, confronting the spiritually bankrupt religious establishment and non-violently defying the Roman oppressors. He knew this was the way faithfulness to God the Father and life for God’s people.

The path he chose required a full and complete commitment to God’s way of being in the world – even if it cost him his life to save others.

Today and every day this Jesus calls us to follow him – empowered by his love and presence. Looking him in the face personally, I feel so inadequate. Yet, his arms are wide open for me. And, I feel compelled to open my arms to him. And, together we face the people of a broken and hurting world and start the way of the cross again.

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Monday, November 10, 2008

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 14:12-24
12 He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
15 One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, "Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" 16 Then Jesus said to him, "Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. 17 At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, "Come; for everything is ready now.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, "I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.' 19 Another said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my regrets.' 20 Another said, "I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, "Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' 22 And the slave said, "Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.' 23 Then the master said to the slave, "Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.' "

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Have you ever heard so many excuses? Well, I have and many more. I have been in the pastoral ministry for over thirty-eight years. I heard about every excuse you can imagine!

Having said that, the excuses that haunt me are my own. Oh yes, I can be the master of excuses when I need to be – even when it comes to following my Lord in daily life. That’s why confession is so important to me. To say before God, “I have not loved you with my whole heart or my neighbor as myself” is to be held accountable – and I need that.

Everyone is welcomed to the banquet – I know that. Yet, I can too readily deflect Jesus’ invitation because his way is too difficult – and sometimes simply isn’t where I want to go. Still he invites me again and again to follow – to live – to share. Sometimes it seems as though the “poor and maimed and blind and lame” understand and delight in Jesus’ invitation better than the rest of us – me included.

How long can I be so presumptuous of God’s Grace and get away with it?

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Sunday, November 9, 2008

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 20:1-16
20‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage,* he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; 4and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” 7They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.” 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” 13But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’
Unfair? Of course the story is unfair according to most business practices and personnel expectations. How many times have I heard that said about this Gospel lesson! But this is Jesus speaking about the Kingdom of God.

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How quickly we think in “earthly” terms! Jesus is clearly speaking in “heavenly” terms.

This is a parable about Grace. And indeed, there isn’t much about Grace that is fair – thank God! “With Arms Wide Open” God showers down Grace on all of creation – including those we might deem as undeserving. Remember the Prodigal Son and the Father’s Grace for him? How often we play the role of the Elder Son who was so resentful. We can be so quick to make judgments about who can be a recipient of Grace as if it is ours to give. We fold our arms across our hearts and refuse to participate in the Grace-giving joy of our Lord. Unfair indeed! Too often that would be us.

Remember, the last will be first and first last – so quit pushing yourself to the head of the line for Grace!

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional, Saturday, November 8

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, Luke 14: 1-11
1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, "Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?" 4 But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. 5 Then he said to them, "If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?" 6 And they could not reply to this.
7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, "Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

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Sometimes we are so consumed with what is in front of us that we miss the main purpose. No doubt the Pharisees and lawyers thought they were doing right by upholding the law. Jesus was teaching the bigger picture and drawing us back to the main purpose of the law, a loving relationship between God and between neighbor and self. Do we sometimes get so wrapped up in being church that we miss the bigger picture of how to be in loving relationships with God and each other and neighbor? Sometimes we may be so socialized and culturalized and traditionalized that we miss how God wants us to express our love and how to express God’s love. The honor of this world ends with this world. The honor that lasts is being a child of God. May we pray with Thomas a Kempis:

“O Lord, Thou knowest what is the better way; let this or that be done as Thou shalt please. Give what Thou wilt, and how much Thou wilt, and when Thou wilt. Deal with me as Thou knowest, and best pleaseth Thee, and is most for Thy honor. Set me where Thou wilt and deal with me in all things as Thou wilt. I am in Thy hand; turn me round and turn me back again, even as a wheel. Behold I am Thy servant, prepared for all things; for I desire not to live unto myself, but unto Thee; and Oh that I could do it worthy and perfectly!”

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Friday, November 7

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, Luke 13: 31-35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32 He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, "Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.' 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' "

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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” How our Lord loves us, even when we are the most unlovable and hurtful and lost and confused and mistaken and oppositional and even oppressive. How our Lord loves us, even when our need for mercy is so great.

I have felt Jesus’ arms of love and comfort and protection around me like the wings of a hen gathering her brood when I received a prayer shawl, like the ones this parish gives. Wrapping it around my shoulders is like the hugs that my friend and colleague Gladys Winters and my Grandma Eva would give. Their hugs felt like you were being wrapped in a down pillow and there was no doubt that you were cared for and safe. There was no doubt that there was peace to share, and happiness and love and encouragement. Even remembering those hugs brings prayers of silence, sometimes as short as a breath, sometimes a prayer that lingers all day.

The message of prayer shawls can be sent in other ways: a kind word or note or glance, a kind act of caring or sharing or understanding, a way of being present to someone or to a cause or with Our Lord. Sometimes these hugs help illuminate our path and energize our journey. Our Lord’s embrace lingers even when we flutter around in agitation and irritation, even anger. How our Lord loves us, even when our need for mercy is so great.

Henri J.M. Nouwen shares the following in “A Cry for Mercy.”

“And you also said, ‘Pray even when you do not feel attracted to it.’ Yes, Lord, I will try to pray, even when I am afraid to face you and myself, even when I keep falling asleep or feel as though I am going around in circles, even when it seems that nothing is happening. Yes, Lord, I will pray – not only with others, not only supported by the rhythms of the choir, but also alone with you. I will try not to be afraid. Lord, give me courage and strength. Let me see myself in the light of your mercy and choose you. Amen.”

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Thursday, November 6

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, Luke 13: 18-30
18 He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in the garden; it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." 20 And again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 22 Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, "Lord, open to us,' then in reply he will say to you, "I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, "I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

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Jesus is teaching all along his journey to his death in Jerusalem. In the Kingdom of God, the sowing of a mustard seed becomes more than its accustomed bush. The Kingdom of God is like yeast that keeps working until all the flour is leavened. In the Kingdom some growth is more visible than other growth. Investments do pay off eventually. Small acts can have expansive consequences and powerful influence. Be patient. Do not be discouraged; God is at work. Be hopeful even if death waits; God is at work. Acts have effect beyond their time and place. Drop a pebble in the water; the ripple can spread beyond sight. Sometimes the pebble is a kind word or cold cup of water or standing firm on a matter of conscience.

When I would see my friend Anna Lea coming down the hall entry to church, I could feel myself beam with joy and thanksgiving. I knew how hard it was for her to dress herself and drive to church and get out her walker. She wanted to be independent as long as possible. She tried long after some would have given in to her physical limitations. She loved church and singing in choir and serving on diocesan committees. She was also so excited to introduce me to how good was the taste of chili at Braum’s when you are really hungry. She gave me some of her treasured books when I left for seminary. I felt a bit like her daughter when I saw her last. She was in the hospital and hurting. This week I learned of her death and I remember how ordinary moments of life are truly holy. God and I see so many of her pebbles sending ripples beyond sight. Give what you can. Be patient. Be encouraged. Be hopeful. God is at work.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Wednesday, November 5

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, Luke 13:10-17
10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." 13 When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. 14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." 15 But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" 17 When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

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Imagine what it must have been like to have lived 18 years with a crippling condition. Imagine what it must have been like to one Sabbath be in the Synagogue and have the guest speaker call to you, lay hands on you, and say “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” Imagine standing up straight for the first time in 18 years. Of course you begin praising God.

One day last week I opened the west blinds to let the sun warm my upstairs office. The grey roof over the chapel consumes most of the view and leaves room for sky to fill out the frame. Returning to my desk, I settled back into concentration on my work. Unexpectedly, my gaze was directed again to the southwest window. Perched on the white ledge of the roof was a bright red cardinal. Of course, I praised God for allowing me to see such beauty.

Oswald Chambers in “My Utmost for His Highest” gives this guidance: “Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.” p. 1/25.

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, November 4

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 13:1-9
At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. 4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did."
6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7 So he said to the gardener, "See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' 8 He replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.' "

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Jesus is furthering John the Baptist’s message of repentance. The Hebrew word means to return while the Greek word means change of mind. One understanding of to repent is to change our minds and to decide to return to living like God would direct. Repentance happens not only in our minds/ hearts/ wills/ but also in our actions. God wants a loving relationship with us and that relationship effects how we relate to others.

Henry Nouwen in “Making All Things New” offers this understanding:

“The spiritual life can be lived in as many ways as there are people. What is new is that we have moved from the many things to the kingdom of God. What is new is that we are set free from the compulsions of our world and have set our hearts on the only necessary thing. What is new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known to us.

In deed, living a spiritual life requires a change of heart, conversion. Such a conversion may be marked by a sudden inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always involves an inner experience of oneness.”

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Monday, November 3

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 12: 49-59
49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, "It is going to rain'; and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, "There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. 56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? 57 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 Thus, when you go with your accuser before a magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the case, or you may be dragged before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."

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Jesus is under stress as he considers the cross he will endure in God’s service. God’s peace does not come from bypassing the cross, but from going through it. God asks that we have no other God and that we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength and that we love neighbor as ourselves. Choosing and living this is like a fire of purification, the purification of baptism, and the gifting of the Spirit as at Pentecost. These new priorities may make us more aware of conflicts in the world. Now is the time to respond in faith.

In “Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict” Esther de Waal gives us guidance: “Stability means that I must not run away from where my battles are being fought, that I have to stand still where the real issues have to be faced. Obedience compels me to re-enact in my own life that submission of Christ himself, even though it may lead to suffering and to death. And conversation, openness means that I must be ready to pick myself up, and start all over again in a pattern of growth which will not end until the day of my final dying. And all the time the journey is based on that Gospel paradox of losing life and finding it….The goal of my changing life is not self-fulfillment, even though so much of the personal growth movement popular today seems to suggest that that is so….My goal is Christ. And I shall attain that goal only by continuing struggle.” P. 78

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Sunday, November 2

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 18: 21-35
21 Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, "Pay what you owe.' 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, "You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

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Forgiveness is limitless and the language of numbers is inappropriate. Forgiveness is about the condition of the heart.

The first servant’s debt is unreal, more than the total tax of four countries. The king’s forgiveness was mercy and compassion. There is no way of measuring God’s generosity of forgiveness.

The first servant does not forgive the second servant. The first has not grasped the gift of mercy that was given with his forgiveness. Forgiveness is a matter of the heart and this first servant has not discovered this transformation of the inner disposition.

God’s kindness is incredible. We are all forgiven debtors. Walter Brueggermann reminds us that “To be forgiven means to give up the power game of playing innocent versus guilty, and to join a fellowship of forgiven sinners.”

Blessings, Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional, Saturday, November 1

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, Luke 12: 32-48
32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. 39 "But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?" 42 And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says to himself, "My master is delayed in coming,' and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. 47 That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

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“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” This is one of my favorite verses because it is so reassuring in difficult times. I love it, too, for sentimental reasons. In the King James Version, the first part of the sentence reads, “Fear not, little flock…” One Sunday afternoon, when my oldest daughter was about four, we were in the car after lunch and I asked her how Sunday school was. She brightened up, and holding one finger in the air, she chirped, “I learned a new Bible verse today that helped me a lot! It was ‘Fear not little flop, ‘cause God ‘s glad to give you his kingdom.’” I didn’t try to delve deeply into why she felt like a flop, but it seemed to be just what she needed!

Our Father is, indeed, glad to give us his kingdom, and following on from yesterday’s Gospel reading, we don’t need to worry about how precious we are to God. Jesus reminds us again, that his kingdom is not composed of material treasures, but of spiritual ones that last and that nourish us in hard times.

There is a stern warning for us, though, lest we become complacent or regard ourselves as blessed or privileged above others. He admonishes us to be as a servant to God’s little ones. Jesus makes clear that one who lives for Christ and is taught of Christ acquires additional responsibility for living into the truth we know and share. We don’t serve Christ and others because of some special place in his kingdom, but rather because the more we know him and love him, the more we want to live like him.

The last part of this verse is often interpreted as referring to the Second Coming of Jesus at the End of Days, but I believe that regardless of when or how that time will come, he is reminding us now that we do not know when he will come to us as a beggar needing food, a sick person needing healing, or a confused teenager or coworker. If we don’t know that serving others is a Baptismal vow, and already have a relationship with Christ that informs us, this can be a learning experience! But if we do know these things and do have a right relationship, it can be very painful for us if we fail to follow when we know what is needed. We realize that we were not ready when the opportunity came. I know from first-hand experience how it feels to know I have let my Lord down. But even then, we must love ourselves as he loves us, for it is not God who punishes us, but we ourselves. The silver lining in this experience is that our grief over not serving proves that the Holy Spirit is indeed at work in us, transforming our heart more and more into the heart of Christ. If this weren’t so, there would be no remorse.

I can hear my daughter say to me, “Fear not, little flop, ‘cause God’s glad to give you his kingdom!”

Deacon Doug Freebern