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, John 14:21-29
21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
28 You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Reflection
"Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace, till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling."
Bianco da Siena (d. 1434?)
from The Hymnal 1982, #516
With prayers that the mystery of Pentecost will fill you with awe and wonder
and prepare your heart for the gift of the Presence of God's Holy Spirit in ever
new and astounding revelations.
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Luke 9:37-50
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands." 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you."
Reflection
Confession by Dorothy McRae-McMahon
If we have believed that we have seen
The only Christ and all of Christ:
Forgive us and open our eyes,
O God who is beyond our seeing.
When we believe that the word
Is only heard in truth in our own church:
Forgive us and open our ears,
O Spirit who is beyond our knowing.
If we have stopped looking for you
In surprising places and unexpected people:
Forgive us and open our hearts,
O Christ, who is beyond our imagining.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Luke 9:37-50
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 "Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands." 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you."
Reflection
Confession by Dorothy McRae-McMahon
If we have believed that we have seen
The only Christ and all of Christ:
Forgive us and open our eyes,
O God who is beyond our seeing.
When we believe that the word
Is only heard in truth in our own church:
Forgive us and open our ears,
O Spirit who is beyond our knowing.
If we have stopped looking for you
In surprising places and unexpected people:
Forgive us and open our hearts,
O Christ, who is beyond our imagining.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Friday, May 22, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Reflection
By Brother Anselm, S.S.F.
Sermon on 6 August
(kept as the Feast of the Transfiguration and Hiroshima Day)
The light of the transfiguration shines on the church, and in that light we can see many shadows –for the church follows the world so often, in that glory belongs not to selfless achievement, but to petty ambition –and the church on which falls the mantle of Christ’s authority is rent apart by conflicting authorities.
This feast reminds us who are the church, how urgent is the task of prayer for the church –that we may learn what makes for true glory –a life of selfless love in obedience to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On this day, we must go further, and view our world, God’s world, in the light of Christ’s transfiguration. On this day in 1945 a blinding light shone on the city of Hiroshima, the light which accompanied the exposure of an unsuspecting population to shock and radiation from that first nuclear explosion. However the bomb may be justified strategically, politically –it has to be seen as a judgment not on its victims but on the rest of the human race –in its light we can see the worth of human values.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Reflection
By Brother Anselm, S.S.F.
Sermon on 6 August
(kept as the Feast of the Transfiguration and Hiroshima Day)
The light of the transfiguration shines on the church, and in that light we can see many shadows –for the church follows the world so often, in that glory belongs not to selfless achievement, but to petty ambition –and the church on which falls the mantle of Christ’s authority is rent apart by conflicting authorities.
This feast reminds us who are the church, how urgent is the task of prayer for the church –that we may learn what makes for true glory –a life of selfless love in obedience to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On this day, we must go further, and view our world, God’s world, in the light of Christ’s transfiguration. On this day in 1945 a blinding light shone on the city of Hiroshima, the light which accompanied the exposure of an unsuspecting population to shock and radiation from that first nuclear explosion. However the bomb may be justified strategically, politically –it has to be seen as a judgment not on its victims but on the rest of the human race –in its light we can see the worth of human values.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection
From “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers
Go . . . .Go on the revelation of My sovereignty; teach and preach out of a living experience of Me….If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him for myself, and how to get alone with Him; I must take time to worship the Being Whose Name I bear. “Come unto Me” –that is the place to meet Jesus... “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you. . . . “ –that is the way to keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of indifference. . . . “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself . . . . “ That is how to keep going till we’re gone.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Matthew 28:16-20
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection
From “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers
Go . . . .Go on the revelation of My sovereignty; teach and preach out of a living experience of Me….If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him for myself, and how to get alone with Him; I must take time to worship the Being Whose Name I bear. “Come unto Me” –that is the place to meet Jesus... “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you. . . . “ –that is the way to keep going in our personal lives. Where we are placed is a matter of indifference. . . . “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself . . . . “ That is how to keep going till we’re gone.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 12:22-31
22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Reflection
From “Freedom of Simplicity” by Richard J. Foster
Through his illustrious missionary and literary career, Frank Laubach bore repeated witness to this reality. His diaries and books on prayer are peppered with his many experiments to remain in constant communication with God. …he wrote in his diary….”Thank Thee…that the habit of constant conversation grows easier each day. I really do believe all thought can be conversations with Thee.”
Think of the number of people who have been encouraged in this way by the simple writings and profound life of Brother Lawrence. How vastly enriched we are that he was finally persuaded, almost against his will, to write down how he had learned “The Practice of the Presence of God.” “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
But we fool ourselves if we think that such a sacramental way of living is automatic. This kind of living communion does not just fall on our heads. We must desire it and seek it out. Like the deer that pants for the flowing stream, so we thirst for the living Spring. We must order our lives in particular ways. We must take up a consciously chosen course of action that will draw us more deeply into perpetual communion with the Father….This desire to practice the presence of God is the secret of all the saints.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 12:22-31
22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Reflection
From “Freedom of Simplicity” by Richard J. Foster
Through his illustrious missionary and literary career, Frank Laubach bore repeated witness to this reality. His diaries and books on prayer are peppered with his many experiments to remain in constant communication with God. …he wrote in his diary….”Thank Thee…that the habit of constant conversation grows easier each day. I really do believe all thought can be conversations with Thee.”
Think of the number of people who have been encouraged in this way by the simple writings and profound life of Brother Lawrence. How vastly enriched we are that he was finally persuaded, almost against his will, to write down how he had learned “The Practice of the Presence of God.” “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”
But we fool ourselves if we think that such a sacramental way of living is automatic. This kind of living communion does not just fall on our heads. We must desire it and seek it out. Like the deer that pants for the flowing stream, so we thirst for the living Spring. We must order our lives in particular ways. We must take up a consciously chosen course of action that will draw us more deeply into perpetual communion with the Father….This desire to practice the presence of God is the secret of all the saints.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Luke 11:1-13
1 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." 5 And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 And he answers from within, "Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Reflection
By Jim Cotter:
Eternal Spirit,
Life-Giver, Pain-Bearer, Love-Maker,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The Hallowing of your Name
Echo throughout the universe!
The Way of your Justice
Be followed by the peoples of this world!
Your Heavenly Will
Be done by all created beings!
Your Commonwealth of Peace and Freedom
Sustain our hope and come on earth!
With the bread we need for today,
Feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another
Forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
Strengthen us.
From trials too sharp to endure,
Spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
Free us.
For you reign in the glory
Of the power that is love,
Now and for ever. Amen.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Luke 11:1-13
1 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." 5 And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7 And he answers from within, "Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 "So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Reflection
By Jim Cotter:
Eternal Spirit,
Life-Giver, Pain-Bearer, Love-Maker,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The Hallowing of your Name
Echo throughout the universe!
The Way of your Justice
Be followed by the peoples of this world!
Your Heavenly Will
Be done by all created beings!
Your Commonwealth of Peace and Freedom
Sustain our hope and come on earth!
With the bread we need for today,
Feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another
Forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
Strengthen us.
From trials too sharp to endure,
Spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil,
Free us.
For you reign in the glory
Of the power that is love,
Now and for ever. Amen.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Monday, May 18, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 9:18-27
18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." 20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." 21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." 23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Reflection
During a dry season in the New Hebrides, John G. Paton the missionary awakened the derision of the natives by digging for water. They said water always came down from heaven, not up through the earth. But Paton revealed a larger truth than they had seen before by discovering to them that heaven could give them water through their own land. So men insist on waiting for God to send them blessings in some super-normal way, when all the while he is giving them abundant supply if they would only learn to retreat into the fertile places of their own spirits where, as Jesus said, the wells of living waters seek to rise. We need to learn Eckhart’s lesson. “God is nearer to me than I am to myself; he is just as near to wood and stone, but they do not know it.”
-- Harry Emerson Fosdick
Our progress in holiness depends on God and ourselves – on God’s grace and on our will to be holly. We must have a real living determination to reach holiness.
-- Mother Teresa
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 9:18-27
18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" 19 They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen." 20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." 21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." 23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? 26 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Reflection
During a dry season in the New Hebrides, John G. Paton the missionary awakened the derision of the natives by digging for water. They said water always came down from heaven, not up through the earth. But Paton revealed a larger truth than they had seen before by discovering to them that heaven could give them water through their own land. So men insist on waiting for God to send them blessings in some super-normal way, when all the while he is giving them abundant supply if they would only learn to retreat into the fertile places of their own spirits where, as Jesus said, the wells of living waters seek to rise. We need to learn Eckhart’s lesson. “God is nearer to me than I am to myself; he is just as near to wood and stone, but they do not know it.”
-- Harry Emerson Fosdick
Our progress in holiness depends on God and ourselves – on God’s grace and on our will to be holly. We must have a real living determination to reach holiness.
-- Mother Teresa
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Matthew 13:24-34b
24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' 28 He answered, "An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, "Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he replied, "No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' " 31 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 33 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.
Reflection
From “Planetary Theology” by Tisa Balasuryia
Ours is a period of rapid and profound change. The coming years will see the most unprecedented changes if the present trends of evolution and revolution continue. We shall see either the growing maturation of the human race in global fellowship or destruction on a scale hitherto unknown. The peoples of the world are groping toward a new age of greater justice, while the forces of injustice are also gathering strength.
The church harbors a germ of hope for humankind. This is due, first of all, to the universality and radicalism of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The scriptures can present a message that is capable of motivating believers to respond meaningfully to the challenge of persons and of the whole world system in crisis. In spite of its accommodation to the world powers, the Christian churches represent an enormous reservoir of good will that can be harnessed for justice and peace. Christians are at the centers of power and decision-making. They can influence the cause of future human evolution. The task is an urgent one. Millions of lives depend on it. But it cannot be achieved without a deep transformation of all Christians, a process of death/resurrection: dying to an exploitative world in order to rise with the whole of humankind in justice, sharing, and personal fulfillment.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Matthew 13:24-34b
24 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' 28 He answered, "An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, "Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he replied, "No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' " 31 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 33 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.
Reflection
From “Planetary Theology” by Tisa Balasuryia
Ours is a period of rapid and profound change. The coming years will see the most unprecedented changes if the present trends of evolution and revolution continue. We shall see either the growing maturation of the human race in global fellowship or destruction on a scale hitherto unknown. The peoples of the world are groping toward a new age of greater justice, while the forces of injustice are also gathering strength.
The church harbors a germ of hope for humankind. This is due, first of all, to the universality and radicalism of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The scriptures can present a message that is capable of motivating believers to respond meaningfully to the challenge of persons and of the whole world system in crisis. In spite of its accommodation to the world powers, the Christian churches represent an enormous reservoir of good will that can be harnessed for justice and peace. Christians are at the centers of power and decision-making. They can influence the cause of future human evolution. The task is an urgent one. Millions of lives depend on it. But it cannot be achieved without a deep transformation of all Christians, a process of death/resurrection: dying to an exploitative world in order to rise with the whole of humankind in justice, sharing, and personal fulfillment.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Luke 9:1-17
1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. 7 Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9 Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he tried to see him.
10 On their return the apostles told Jesus F88 all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. 12 The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Reflection
The Silk Worm by Rumi
I stood before a silk worm one day.
And that night my heart said to me,
"I can do things like that, I can spin skies,
I can be woven into love that can bring warmth to people;
I can be soft against a crying face,
I can be wings that lift, and I can travel on my thousand feet throughout the earth,
My sacks filled with the sacred."
And I replied to my heart,
"Dear, can you really do all those things?"
And it just nodded "Yes" in silence.
So we began and will never cease.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Luke 9:1-17
1 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. 7 Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9 Herod said, "John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he tried to see him.
10 On their return the apostles told Jesus F88 all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. 12 The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place." 13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Reflection
The Silk Worm by Rumi
I stood before a silk worm one day.
And that night my heart said to me,
"I can do things like that, I can spin skies,
I can be woven into love that can bring warmth to people;
I can be soft against a crying face,
I can be wings that lift, and I can travel on my thousand feet throughout the earth,
My sacks filled with the sacred."
And I replied to my heart,
"Dear, can you really do all those things?"
And it just nodded "Yes" in silence.
So we began and will never cease.
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Friday, May 15, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture of the Day, Luke 8:40-56
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.
As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. 43 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." 47 When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." 49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer." 50 When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved." 51 When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
Reflection
From "The Heart of Pilgrimage" by Christopher Bryant
The signs which will persuade me of this are the evidences which I see around me or hear about from those whose witness I trust, that the life of oneness with God is not impossible for me, that if I choose I can experience the love, joy and peace which flow from it. The atheist French lawyer, who out of curiosity paid a visit to the cure of Ars, at that time the talk of Paris, returned home a believer. When asked what had induced him to abandon his atheism, he replied, "I've seen God in a man."
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture of the Day, Luke 8:40-56
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus' feet and begged him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.
As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. 43 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45 Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." 47 When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." 49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer." 50 When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved." 51 When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
Reflection
From "The Heart of Pilgrimage" by Christopher Bryant
The signs which will persuade me of this are the evidences which I see around me or hear about from those whose witness I trust, that the life of oneness with God is not impossible for me, that if I choose I can experience the love, joy and peace which flow from it. The atheist French lawyer, who out of curiosity paid a visit to the cure of Ars, at that time the talk of Paris, returned home a believer. When asked what had induced him to abandon his atheism, he replied, "I've seen God in a man."
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus F83 sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Reflection
Compassion is the hallmark of Jesus' God. consequently, Jesus' healings and exorcisms, which play such a major role in his ministry, are not simply patches on a body destined for death regardless; they are manifestations of God's Reign on earth now, an in-breaking of eternity into time, a revelation of God's merciful nature, a promise of the restitution of all things in the heart of the loving Author of the universe. "but if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, the the kingdom of God has come to you." god's non-violent reign is the overcoming of demonic powers through non-violent means.
Exorcism especially preoccupied the early church. Baptism itself was an entry-exorcism, freeing the initiates from the delusional system that had previously held them in bondage. Exorcism was not, then, a rare and extreme intervention. It was the indispensable prerequisite for getting a "new Mind" (metanois). Jesus' teaching is itself a kind of exorcism, a cleaning of the mind of the misinformation that enslaves people to the Powers. And faith is a healing of blindness, humanity's trained inability to perceive God's presence and deeds even when they are happening before our very eyes.
by Walter Wink
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" He said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss. 32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus F83 sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
Reflection
Compassion is the hallmark of Jesus' God. consequently, Jesus' healings and exorcisms, which play such a major role in his ministry, are not simply patches on a body destined for death regardless; they are manifestations of God's Reign on earth now, an in-breaking of eternity into time, a revelation of God's merciful nature, a promise of the restitution of all things in the heart of the loving Author of the universe. "but if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, the the kingdom of God has come to you." god's non-violent reign is the overcoming of demonic powers through non-violent means.
Exorcism especially preoccupied the early church. Baptism itself was an entry-exorcism, freeing the initiates from the delusional system that had previously held them in bondage. Exorcism was not, then, a rare and extreme intervention. It was the indispensable prerequisite for getting a "new Mind" (metanois). Jesus' teaching is itself a kind of exorcism, a cleaning of the mind of the misinformation that enslaves people to the Powers. And faith is a healing of blindness, humanity's trained inability to perceive God's presence and deeds even when they are happening before our very eyes.
by Walter Wink
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 18:16-25
16 "No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away." 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21 But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
Reflection
"The Way Wings Should" by Rumi
What will our children do in the morning?
Will they wake with their hearts wanting to play,
The way wings should?
Will they have dreamed the needed flights and gathered the strength from the planets that all men and women need
to balance the wonderful charms of the earth
So that her power and beauty does not make us forget our own?
I know all about the ways of the heart - how it wants to be alive.
Love so needs to love
That it will endure almost anything, even abuse,
Just to flicker for a moment.
But the sky's mouth is kind,
Its song will never hurt you, for I sing those words.
What will our children do in the morning
If they do not see us fly?
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 18:16-25
16 "No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18 Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away." 19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21 But he said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
Reflection
"The Way Wings Should" by Rumi
What will our children do in the morning?
Will they wake with their hearts wanting to play,
The way wings should?
Will they have dreamed the needed flights and gathered the strength from the planets that all men and women need
to balance the wonderful charms of the earth
So that her power and beauty does not make us forget our own?
I know all about the ways of the heart - how it wants to be alive.
Love so needs to love
That it will endure almost anything, even abuse,
Just to flicker for a moment.
But the sky's mouth is kind,
Its song will never hurt you, for I sing those words.
What will our children do in the morning
If they do not see us fly?
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Luke 8:1-15
1 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" 9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that "looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.' 11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
Reflection
"...to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into your very soul is quite another. Superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word isn't always a lasting one...Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus?... Let me dread a godliness as rapid in growth and as wanting in endurance as Jonah's vine; let me count the cost of being a follower of Jesus. Above all, let me feel the energy of His Holy Spirit, and then I shall possess an abiding and enduring seed in my soul...O heavenly Sower, plow me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield a bounteous harvest for You."
by Charles Spurgeon
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Luke 8:1-15
1 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
4 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5 "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "Let anyone with ears to hear listen!" 9 Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that "looking they may not perceive, and listening they may not understand.' 11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14 As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
Reflection
"...to receive the word in the ear is one thing, and to receive Jesus into your very soul is quite another. Superficial feeling is often joined to inward hardness of heart, and a lively impression of the word isn't always a lasting one...Have I been making a fair show in the flesh without having a corresponding inner life? Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time. am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus?... Let me dread a godliness as rapid in growth and as wanting in endurance as Jonah's vine; let me count the cost of being a follower of Jesus. Above all, let me feel the energy of His Holy Spirit, and then I shall possess an abiding and enduring seed in my soul...O heavenly Sower, plow me first, and then cast the truth into me, and let me yield a bounteous harvest for You."
by Charles Spurgeon
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Monday, May 11, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 7:36-50
6 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner." 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "speak." 41 "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Reflection
(From "Freedom of Simplicity" by Richard J. Foster)
For the Desert Fathers, the flight to the desert was a way of escaping conformity to the world. the world, including the Church, had become so dominated by secular materialism, that for them, the only way to witness against it was to withdraw from it. Thomas Merton writes in the introduction in his "Wisdom of the Desert": "Society....was regarded by the Desert Fathers as a shipwreck from which each single individual man had to swim for his life."
They were seeking to revive true Christian devotion and simplicity of life by intense renunciation. Their experience has particular relevance, because modern society is uncomfortably like the world that they attacked so vigorously. Their world asked, "How can I get more?" The Desert Fathers asked, What can I do without?" their world asked, "How can I find myself?" The Desert Fathers asked, "How can I lose myself?" Their world asked, "How can I win friends and influence people?" The Desert Fathers asked, "How can I love God?"
Anthony, the "father of monks" (A.D. 251-356), was about eighteen years old when he heard the Gospel words, "Go, sell what you posses and give to the poor...and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). going out from the church, he immediately gave away his inherited land, sold all of his possessions, and distributed the proceeds among the poor, saving only enough to care for his sister. After living at the edge of his village for a time, he retreated into the desert, where for twenty years he lived in complete solitude. In the solitude he was forced to face his false, empty self. He learned to die to the opinions of others. He came out of bondage to human beings. Violent and many were the temptations he faced.
when he emerged from the solitude of the desert, he was marked with graciousness, love, kindness,endurance, meekness, freedom from anger, and the practice of prayer. People recognized in him a unique compassion and power. Many sought him out for spiritual counsel and healing power. Even the Emperor Constantine sought his advice...
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 7:36-50
6 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner." 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "speak." 41 "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Reflection
(From "Freedom of Simplicity" by Richard J. Foster)
For the Desert Fathers, the flight to the desert was a way of escaping conformity to the world. the world, including the Church, had become so dominated by secular materialism, that for them, the only way to witness against it was to withdraw from it. Thomas Merton writes in the introduction in his "Wisdom of the Desert": "Society....was regarded by the Desert Fathers as a shipwreck from which each single individual man had to swim for his life."
They were seeking to revive true Christian devotion and simplicity of life by intense renunciation. Their experience has particular relevance, because modern society is uncomfortably like the world that they attacked so vigorously. Their world asked, "How can I get more?" The Desert Fathers asked, What can I do without?" their world asked, "How can I find myself?" The Desert Fathers asked, "How can I lose myself?" Their world asked, "How can I win friends and influence people?" The Desert Fathers asked, "How can I love God?"
Anthony, the "father of monks" (A.D. 251-356), was about eighteen years old when he heard the Gospel words, "Go, sell what you posses and give to the poor...and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). going out from the church, he immediately gave away his inherited land, sold all of his possessions, and distributed the proceeds among the poor, saving only enough to care for his sister. After living at the edge of his village for a time, he retreated into the desert, where for twenty years he lived in complete solitude. In the solitude he was forced to face his false, empty self. He learned to die to the opinions of others. He came out of bondage to human beings. Violent and many were the temptations he faced.
when he emerged from the solitude of the desert, he was marked with graciousness, love, kindness,endurance, meekness, freedom from anger, and the practice of prayer. People recognized in him a unique compassion and power. Many sought him out for spiritual counsel and healing power. Even the Emperor Constantine sought his advice...
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Matthew 7:7-14
7 "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy F61 that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Reflection
Once there was a man who dared God to speak: "Burn the bush like you did for Moses, God. And I will follow. Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God. and I will fight. Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God. And I will listen."
And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the sea and waited for God to speak.
And God heard the man, so God answered. He sent a fire, not for a bush, but for a church. He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin. He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.
And God waited for the man to respond. And he waited...and waited.
but because the man was looking at bushes, not hearts; bricks and not lives; seas and not souls, he decided the God had done nothing.
Finally he looked to god and asked, "Have you lost your power?"
And God looked at him and said, "Have you lost our hearing?"
by Max Lucado
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
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, Matthew 7:7-14
7 "Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy F61 that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Reflection
Once there was a man who dared God to speak: "Burn the bush like you did for Moses, God. And I will follow. Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God. and I will fight. Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God. And I will listen."
And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall, close to the sea and waited for God to speak.
And God heard the man, so God answered. He sent a fire, not for a bush, but for a church. He brought down a wall, not of brick, but of sin. He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.
And God waited for the man to respond. And he waited...and waited.
but because the man was looking at bushes, not hearts; bricks and not lives; seas and not souls, he decided the God had done nothing.
Finally he looked to god and asked, "Have you lost your power?"
And God looked at him and said, "Have you lost our hearing?"
by Max Lucado
Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou
Friday, May 8, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 7:1-17
1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" 17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Reflection
Thoughts from the Psalm appointed for today - Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!"
17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
"I waited patiently upon the Lord..." Well, in truth, waiting patiently is not something I do very well. I'm organized, but that's so I have some sense of control. Patience is not nearly so easy as being organized!
"...he stooped to me and heard my cry." How often do I stoop or even stop to listen to the cry of another person, especially a person waiting patiently to be heard? Our Lord must be eternally busy stooping to hear our cries.
"He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay..." Sometimes I rather want not to be lifted up. Sometimes I'd rather wallow around in the desolate pit, the mire and the clay. Sometimes it just seems to require too much effort to be rescued, to be cleaned up and made holy.
"...he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure." Well, you can be sure if I agree to being lifted up out of the aforementioned desolate pit, and find myself suddenly set upon a high cliff, with my fear of heights the Lord had better make my footing sure! Is this a test of faith?
"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God..." Okay, now we're getting to something I can truly appreciate - a new song! We musicians always love a new song, especially one that is freely given to us and one that praises this God about whom we talk so much. But why me? What have I done to merit such a gift?
"...many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord." Aha! So it's God's idea after all. This patient waiting, this being heard when we cry, this being lifted out of that pit place, this being set on a high cliff complete with sure footing, this new song gift - it's one really creative way God has of letting others, and me, know who is in control!
The rest of Psalm 40 is worth your attention!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 7:1-17
1 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, 5 for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7 therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, "Go,' and he goes, and to another, "Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, "Do this,' and the slave does it." 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
11 Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" 17 This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Reflection
Thoughts from the Psalm appointed for today - Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!"
17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God.
"I waited patiently upon the Lord..." Well, in truth, waiting patiently is not something I do very well. I'm organized, but that's so I have some sense of control. Patience is not nearly so easy as being organized!
"...he stooped to me and heard my cry." How often do I stoop or even stop to listen to the cry of another person, especially a person waiting patiently to be heard? Our Lord must be eternally busy stooping to hear our cries.
"He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay..." Sometimes I rather want not to be lifted up. Sometimes I'd rather wallow around in the desolate pit, the mire and the clay. Sometimes it just seems to require too much effort to be rescued, to be cleaned up and made holy.
"...he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure." Well, you can be sure if I agree to being lifted up out of the aforementioned desolate pit, and find myself suddenly set upon a high cliff, with my fear of heights the Lord had better make my footing sure! Is this a test of faith?
"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God..." Okay, now we're getting to something I can truly appreciate - a new song! We musicians always love a new song, especially one that is freely given to us and one that praises this God about whom we talk so much. But why me? What have I done to merit such a gift?
"...many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord." Aha! So it's God's idea after all. This patient waiting, this being heard when we cry, this being lifted out of that pit place, this being set on a high cliff complete with sure footing, this new song gift - it's one really creative way God has of letting others, and me, know who is in control!
The rest of Psalm 40 is worth your attention!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Daily Devotion
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 are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:39-49
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. 43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me "Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."
Reflection
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?"
A recent report on NPR radio focused on the rebuilding of homes in the regions of China devastated by the 2008 earthquakes. Working through a translator, an American woman, well-trained and skilled in the engineering science of building to withstand earthquakes, was giving instruction to people who were rebuilding their homes. The steps she recommended were not the easy way, nor the quick way to get a structure built. Patience was required. Determination to follow instructions was absolutely necessary. Trust that this foreign woman would have their welfare and safety foremost in her intentions would require every ounce of faith these villagers could summons from their difficult lives. Following her instructions, building according to her directions could well lead to their salvation when the next earthquake strikes.
The "earthquakes" of life strike in all manner of ways and circumstances. From small tremors to outright chasms of despair, our hopes for a calm, peaceful life are interrupted by events that have the potential to destroy us. But, thanks be to God, we have a "well-trained and skilled engineer for life" in Jesus, the Christ. Following his instructions for building a Christian life, we are promised salvation from any and all of life's earthquakes. Let us call him "Lord, Lord".....and do what he tells us!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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 are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:39-49
39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. 43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me "Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house."
Reflection
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?"
A recent report on NPR radio focused on the rebuilding of homes in the regions of China devastated by the 2008 earthquakes. Working through a translator, an American woman, well-trained and skilled in the engineering science of building to withstand earthquakes, was giving instruction to people who were rebuilding their homes. The steps she recommended were not the easy way, nor the quick way to get a structure built. Patience was required. Determination to follow instructions was absolutely necessary. Trust that this foreign woman would have their welfare and safety foremost in her intentions would require every ounce of faith these villagers could summons from their difficult lives. Following her instructions, building according to her directions could well lead to their salvation when the next earthquake strikes.
The "earthquakes" of life strike in all manner of ways and circumstances. From small tremors to outright chasms of despair, our hopes for a calm, peaceful life are interrupted by events that have the potential to destroy us. But, thanks be to God, we have a "well-trained and skilled engineer for life" in Jesus, the Christ. Following his instructions for building a Christian life, we are promised salvation from any and all of life's earthquakes. Let us call him "Lord, Lord".....and do what he tells us!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Daily Devotion
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 your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:27-38
27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Reflection
In a recent movie, "The Bucket List", two men facing the reality of mortality set out to complete all the things they've wanted to do before "kicking the bucket"! In today's gospel reading we're given a list that could well be a "bucket list" for those of us wanting/yearning/hoping/trying to live by the example and teaching of Christ.
Look at the list. Is it a once-a-day, once-a-week, once-in-awhile guide? Is it a step-by-step, little-by-little, with-God's-help direction for living before we "kick the bucket"?
1. Love your enemies
2. Do good to those who abuse you
3. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also
4. From anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt
5. Give to everyone who begs from you
6. If anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again
7. Do to others as you would have them do to you
8. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful
9. Do not judge, and you will not be judged
10. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned
11. Forgive, and you will be forgiven
12. Give, and it will be given to you
Not easy! But the promised return is this: "A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." How will we "measure up" to the "bucket list" of Christ?
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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 your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:27-38
27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Reflection
In a recent movie, "The Bucket List", two men facing the reality of mortality set out to complete all the things they've wanted to do before "kicking the bucket"! In today's gospel reading we're given a list that could well be a "bucket list" for those of us wanting/yearning/hoping/trying to live by the example and teaching of Christ.
Look at the list. Is it a once-a-day, once-a-week, once-in-awhile guide? Is it a step-by-step, little-by-little, with-God's-help direction for living before we "kick the bucket"?
1. Love your enemies
2. Do good to those who abuse you
3. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also
4. From anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt
5. Give to everyone who begs from you
6. If anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again
7. Do to others as you would have them do to you
8. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful
9. Do not judge, and you will not be judged
10. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned
11. Forgive, and you will be forgiven
12. Give, and it will be given to you
Not easy! But the promised return is this: "A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." How will we "measure up" to the "bucket list" of Christ?
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Daily Devotion
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, Luke 6:12-26
12 Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Reflection
One of the ever-changing "words d'jour" is "transparency". In today's difficult to digest gospel reading, we find Jesus instructing his newly chosen disciples/apostles and other followers listening to his "inaugural sermon". This short list of "blesseds and woes" (the longer, more detailed list is recorded in Matthew 5:1-12) commonly called "The Beatitudes" gives instructions for the ultimate in living a "transparent" life. Live a life as defined in these terms and God will shine through you in such goodness, such truthfulness, such unblemished holiness that you will appear to be (using the dictionary definition of "beatitude") "in a state of utmost bliss".
How many of us really stumble when faced with coming to terms with "The Beatitudes"? How do we reconcile the "blesseds" with life as we experience it, with conditions of the world as we see them every day, with the hard realities of life in the 21st century? How much of our worldly "goods" do we have to give up to be poor, hungry, weeping. Is being poor, hungry, sorrowful a prerequisite for being accepted into the kingdom of heaven? Why are these few short verses amidst so many hopeful, promising verses so difficult to understand?
My understanding of these instructions-for-transparency as a Christian has been helped by working with some of God's most incredibly beautiful people: a group of mentally/physically challenged men and women who came together to sing. For 15 years we met and made music. What I witnessed, what was a life-changing experience for me, was seeing these precious ones whom the world looked upon as "poor in spirit, in mental ability, in possibility" and seeing the hunger for acceptance, for respect, for participation in being co-creators. We sang. We laughed. We cried. We loved. And, believe me, those who saw and heard witnessed "The Beatitudes", the state of being blessed.
Life is filled with times of poverty of spirit, hunger for righteousness and peace, heart-breaking sorrow. God, through our brother Jesus, enriches our spirits, fills the empty hollows of our hearts, weeps over our sorrows. God, through the Holy Spirit, gives us vision to see the poverty, the hunger, the sorrows of his children. And, God empowers us to be Christ to his precious children wherever we meet them. Be "transparent" in letting God's love shine through you!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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, Luke 6:12-26
12 Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Reflection
One of the ever-changing "words d'jour" is "transparency". In today's difficult to digest gospel reading, we find Jesus instructing his newly chosen disciples/apostles and other followers listening to his "inaugural sermon". This short list of "blesseds and woes" (the longer, more detailed list is recorded in Matthew 5:1-12) commonly called "The Beatitudes" gives instructions for the ultimate in living a "transparent" life. Live a life as defined in these terms and God will shine through you in such goodness, such truthfulness, such unblemished holiness that you will appear to be (using the dictionary definition of "beatitude") "in a state of utmost bliss".
How many of us really stumble when faced with coming to terms with "The Beatitudes"? How do we reconcile the "blesseds" with life as we experience it, with conditions of the world as we see them every day, with the hard realities of life in the 21st century? How much of our worldly "goods" do we have to give up to be poor, hungry, weeping. Is being poor, hungry, sorrowful a prerequisite for being accepted into the kingdom of heaven? Why are these few short verses amidst so many hopeful, promising verses so difficult to understand?
My understanding of these instructions-for-transparency as a Christian has been helped by working with some of God's most incredibly beautiful people: a group of mentally/physically challenged men and women who came together to sing. For 15 years we met and made music. What I witnessed, what was a life-changing experience for me, was seeing these precious ones whom the world looked upon as "poor in spirit, in mental ability, in possibility" and seeing the hunger for acceptance, for respect, for participation in being co-creators. We sang. We laughed. We cried. We loved. And, believe me, those who saw and heard witnessed "The Beatitudes", the state of being blessed.
Life is filled with times of poverty of spirit, hunger for righteousness and peace, heart-breaking sorrow. God, through our brother Jesus, enriches our spirits, fills the empty hollows of our hearts, weeps over our sorrows. God, through the Holy Spirit, gives us vision to see the poverty, the hunger, the sorrows of his children. And, God empowers us to be Christ to his precious children wherever we meet them. Be "transparent" in letting God's love shine through you!
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Monday, May 4, 2009
Daily Devotion
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:1-11
1 One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 3 Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?" 5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath." 6 On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8 Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" 10 After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Reflection
When I was a teen-ager (back in the mid-1950's!) a classmate of mine had a most unusual family. They could do no work, they could not participate in activities outside their home, they could only travel to and from church, which was a requirement for the family. I never thought of my classmate as being strange. Indeed, she was a bright, energetic and well-liked girl. Her family, though, insisted they "keep the Sabbath holy". I was never sure if she was being protected or punished!
Today's gospel reading addresses this 4th commandment edict: "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Jesus turned this around, gave new definition to the ancient Hebraic law. He responded to those who challenged his "Sabbath actions": "I put it to you: is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?"
Where does all of this leave us? What do we learn about "keeping the Sabbath holy" from the example of my classmate's family, from Jesus' "Sabbath activity"? What importance is a "holy Sabbath" in our lives? Would focus on "holy" things, taking time for quieting and slowing the routine of frantic activity - physical, mental and emotional - enrich our lives? Is it possible that keeping a time of "sabbath", a time of intentional spiritual focus could lead to "perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding, the fullest knowledge of God's will. . . a life worthy of the Lord, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects, bearing fruit in every kind of good work and growing in knowledge of God" (see Colossians 1:9-14 for Paul's prayer).
Perhaps we could have a time of "sabbath" in every day, a time of holy quiet, a time of listening and resting in God's healing love.
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Luke 6:1-11
1 One sabbath while Jesus was going through the grainfields, his disciples plucked some heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?" 3 Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and gave some to his companions?" 5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath." 6 On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. 8 Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Come and stand here." He got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?" 10 After looking around at all of them, he said to him, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Reflection
When I was a teen-ager (back in the mid-1950's!) a classmate of mine had a most unusual family. They could do no work, they could not participate in activities outside their home, they could only travel to and from church, which was a requirement for the family. I never thought of my classmate as being strange. Indeed, she was a bright, energetic and well-liked girl. Her family, though, insisted they "keep the Sabbath holy". I was never sure if she was being protected or punished!
Today's gospel reading addresses this 4th commandment edict: "Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Jesus turned this around, gave new definition to the ancient Hebraic law. He responded to those who challenged his "Sabbath actions": "I put it to you: is it permitted on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?"
Where does all of this leave us? What do we learn about "keeping the Sabbath holy" from the example of my classmate's family, from Jesus' "Sabbath activity"? What importance is a "holy Sabbath" in our lives? Would focus on "holy" things, taking time for quieting and slowing the routine of frantic activity - physical, mental and emotional - enrich our lives? Is it possible that keeping a time of "sabbath", a time of intentional spiritual focus could lead to "perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding, the fullest knowledge of God's will. . . a life worthy of the Lord, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects, bearing fruit in every kind of good work and growing in knowledge of God" (see Colossians 1:9-14 for Paul's prayer).
Perhaps we could have a time of "sabbath" in every day, a time of holy quiet, a time of listening and resting in God's healing love.
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Daily Devotion
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,Matthew 7:15-29
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!" 28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Reflection
"O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water." - Ps. 63:1
"Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him." *1
"....the elders among you...tend the flock of God that is in your charge. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock." *2
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." *3
Imagine a world in which the "rulers" embraced the teachings of the Psalmist, the writer (perhaps it was King Solomon) of the Book of Wisdom (*1), the Apostle Peter (*2), and Jesus, the Christ (*3). Imagine our own president, our secretary of state, the pentagon, the members of congress with these 4 teachings printed plainly where they would be read every day and become imprinted in the very hearts and spirits of these "rulers". Imagine your own life lived with these words of life as a daily guide.
God has already imagined all of this! God knows the wondrous possibilities for our lives. We have only to eagerly seek God and live into God's imagination!
(*1- Wisdom 1:1-15; *2 - 1st Letter of Peter 5:1-11; *3 - Matthew 7:15-29)
thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc
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,Matthew 7:15-29
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' 23 Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.' 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!" 28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Reflection
"O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water." - Ps. 63:1
"Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him." *1
"....the elders among you...tend the flock of God that is in your charge. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock." *2
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." *3
Imagine a world in which the "rulers" embraced the teachings of the Psalmist, the writer (perhaps it was King Solomon) of the Book of Wisdom (*1), the Apostle Peter (*2), and Jesus, the Christ (*3). Imagine our own president, our secretary of state, the pentagon, the members of congress with these 4 teachings printed plainly where they would be read every day and become imprinted in the very hearts and spirits of these "rulers". Imagine your own life lived with these words of life as a daily guide.
God has already imagined all of this! God knows the wondrous possibilities for our lives. We have only to eagerly seek God and live into God's imagination!
(*1- Wisdom 1:1-15; *2 - 1st Letter of Peter 5:1-11; *3 - Matthew 7:15-29)
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, Matthew 7:15-29
15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” 23 Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”
24 ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!
28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Devotional
Reread yesterday's Daily Devotion.
If you have not read "The Shack," read it this week.
If you have already read it, read it again.
Peace,
Fr. Lee+
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, Matthew 7:15-29
15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.
21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” 23 Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”
24 ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!
28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Devotional
Reread yesterday's Daily Devotion.
If you have not read "The Shack," read it this week.
If you have already read it, read it again.
Peace,
Fr. Lee+
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Daily Devotional
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 forever. Amen.
Gospel Reading of the Day, Luke 5:27-39
27 After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 28A nd he got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table* with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 31 Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’
33 Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ 34 Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ 36 He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’
Devotional
Let me get to the point (this Gospel pushed some buttons): If you lead with a "judgmental spirit" you will not only push people down and away, you will also push God away -- and diminish your own soul.
If you lead with love, everyone wins. People around you are lifted and blessed. Your soul is enriched. And, God's grace permeates and transforms.
Jesus was and is about relationships of grace.
Peace,
Lee+
Devotion
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 forever. Amen.
Gospel Reading of the Day, Luke 5:27-39
27 After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 28A nd he got up, left everything, and followed him.
29 Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table* with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 31 Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’
33 Then they said to him, ‘John’s disciples, like the disciples of the Pharisees, frequently fast and pray, but your disciples eat and drink.’ 34 Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.’ 36 He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and sews it on an old garment; otherwise the new will be torn, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new wine, but says, “The old is good.” ’
Devotional
Let me get to the point (this Gospel pushed some buttons): If you lead with a "judgmental spirit" you will not only push people down and away, you will also push God away -- and diminish your own soul.
If you lead with love, everyone wins. People around you are lifted and blessed. Your soul is enriched. And, God's grace permeates and transforms.
Jesus was and is about relationships of grace.
Peace,
Lee+
Devotion
Friday, May 1, 2009
Daily Devotional
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, Luke 5:12-26
12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ 13 Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy* left him. 14 And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ 15 But now more than ever the word about Jesus* spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. 16But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralyzed —‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
Devotional
These are great stories of Jesus' time. Are they relevant and possible for our time? I think so -- indeed I know it is true.
Paul Young wrote his marvelous little book, "The Shack," for his children and closest friends -- just fifteen copies. In less than two years over five million copies have be sold and the book is being translated into many languages. More importantly, lives are being touched person by person and stories have been pouring in by way of email, facebook and word of mouth.
God is using this book to open people's hearts and lives to God's grace and a personal relationship with the Giver of Life. People are experiencing forgiveness, healing, redemption, hope and transformation. Just as in Jesus, day, people have their "shacks" of pain, disillusionment, failure, sin, and much more. Just as in Jesus' day, Jesus will meet with anyone in his/her shack and love them to health.
Someone around you may need you to take them there.
Peace,
Lee+
Devotional
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, Luke 5:12-26
12 Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.’ 13 Then Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy* left him. 14 And he ordered him to tell no one. ‘Go’, he said, ‘and show yourself to the priest, and, as Moses commanded, make an offering for your cleansing, for a testimony to them.’ 15 But now more than ever the word about Jesus* spread abroad; many crowds would gather to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. 16But he would withdraw to deserted places and pray.
17 One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting nearby (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19 but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. 20 When he saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you.’ 21 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, ‘Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ 22 When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven you”, or to say, “Stand up and walk”? 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the one who was paralyzed —‘I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home.’ 25 Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26 Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today.’
Devotional
These are great stories of Jesus' time. Are they relevant and possible for our time? I think so -- indeed I know it is true.
Paul Young wrote his marvelous little book, "The Shack," for his children and closest friends -- just fifteen copies. In less than two years over five million copies have be sold and the book is being translated into many languages. More importantly, lives are being touched person by person and stories have been pouring in by way of email, facebook and word of mouth.
God is using this book to open people's hearts and lives to God's grace and a personal relationship with the Giver of Life. People are experiencing forgiveness, healing, redemption, hope and transformation. Just as in Jesus, day, people have their "shacks" of pain, disillusionment, failure, sin, and much more. Just as in Jesus' day, Jesus will meet with anyone in his/her shack and love them to health.
Someone around you may need you to take them there.
Peace,
Lee+
Devotional
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