Daily Devotional

2009-06-29T15:49:00.002-05:00

The Daily Devotional is going to take a "summer vacation". Please refer to the Forward Day by Day for today's meditation.

Daily Devotion

2009-06-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Daily Devotion

2009-06-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

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 21:5-19
5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" 8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, "I am he!' and, "The time is near!' Do not go after them. 9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." 10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Reflection

From “Reaching Out” by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Only by denying the world can you live in it, that only by surrounding yourself by an artificial, self-induced quietude can you live in a spiritual life. A real spiritual life does exactly the opposite: it makes us so alert and aware of the world around us, that all that is and happens becomes part of our contemplation and meditation and invites us to a free and fearless response.

By Thomas a Kempis

Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know;
To love what I ought to love,
To praise what delights thee most,
To value what is precious in thy sight,
To hate what is offensive to thee.
Do not suffer me to judge according to the sight of my own eyes,
Nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of the ears of ignorant men;
But to discern with a true judgment between things visible and spiritual,
And above all, always to inquire what is the good pleasure of thy will.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotion

2009-06-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

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 20:41 - 21:4
41 Then he said to them, "How can they say that the Messiah is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms, "The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, 43 until I make your enemies your footstool." ' 44 David thus calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?" 45 In the hearing of all the people he said to the disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."

1 He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on."

Reflection
Luke Timothy Johnson writes that the “Kingdom of God is new with the newness of God’s own life; it is…hope of eternal life for all humans….this kingdom is symbolized by the widow, who though left all alone in human terms, is not only herself alive but capable of giving life by sharing ‘all her living’ with others.

Mother Teresa guides with “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money; money is not enough, for money one can get. The poor need our hands to serve them; they need our hearts to love them. The religion of Christ is love, the spreading of love.”

Jan M. Griswold writes:

Help me, Lord, to reach out to-
The lonely, who might respond with suspicion or laughter
Or even downright hatred at my efforts;
The dirty, who have insufficient means to be clean;
The lazy, who appear content to let others provide for them;
The discarded, forgotten, unloved-
All, Lord, make up this aching, hurting river of humanity
Around my world and in your world.

Help me, Lord, to reach out and love.
To give much, and expect little,
To bear complaining but not complain,
To guard my tongue, and not blame,
So that in all things I will become more like you.

Priscilla Hillis writes:

I used to run afraid of love’s strong power
Afraid of being overwhelmed, undone.
Until one day – one terrifying hour
I stopped and turned and faced the burning one.

Then slowly his great arms went tight around me.
I do not know how I could’ve been afraid
Of all he offered when he found me.
Overwhelmed – undone – remade.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotion

2009-06-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

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 20:27-40
7 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28 and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man F168 shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." 34 Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

39 Then some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have spoken well." 40 For they no longer dared to ask him another question.

Reflection

God Gives Us A Future by Elizabeth J. Smith

God gives us a future,
Daring us to go
Into dreams and dangers
On a path unknown.
We will face tomorrow
In the Spirit’s power,
We will let God change us,
For new life starts now.

We must leave behind us
Sins of yesterday,
For God’s new beginning
Is a better way.
Fear and doubt and habit
Must not hold us back:
God gives hope, and insight,
And the strength we lack.

Holy Spirit, teach us
How to read the signs,
How to meet the challenge
Of our troubled times.
Love us into action,
Stir us into prayer,
Till we choose God’s life, and
Find our future there.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotion

2009-06-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

2009-05-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

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

Daily Devotion

2009-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Daily Devotion

2009-05-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Daily Devotion

2009-05-11T15:09:00.000-05:00

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

2009-04-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

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

Reflection

From
Mutual Ministry
by James C. Fenhagen

When I am grasped by the image of the kingdom of God. I know that genuine interdependence and community within the human family is possible. What we experience now is but a taste of what will be. It is through the image of the kingdom that I experience what it means to say that “Christ is Lord.” The destructiveness of human sin – the greed and the injustice and the arrogance – that so plagues the human community is not the last word. Christ is risen and the kingdom of God is here.

Blessings,
Mthr. Mary Lou

Daily Devotional

2009-04-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

Daily Devotional, Tuesday, April 21

2009-04-21T14:46:00.002-05:00

Daily Devotional, Monday, April 20

2009-04-21T14:33:00.004-05:00

Daily Devotion

2009-03-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, who sees that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 8:33-47
33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, "You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word.

38 I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father." 39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, 40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. 44 You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Third Station – Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus: Carrying my cross was necessary not only for my crucifixion, but also for my sacrifice. This was added to the daily struggles I encountered in being human – the challenges, stresses, grief, disappointments, fears, rejection and even anger. Like you, I experienced all of human life in my brief time with you. Memories of life’s struggles and conflicts came rushing back as I carried my sacrificial cross. I fell and the weight of the cross punished my body even more. Yes, the burdens were many, but God’s Spirit sustained me and kept me focused.

Friend: How did you survive? I would have given up long before being sent to the cross. Even now life is sometimes so challenging I can hardly cope. You know very well that life is hard –sometimes brutally hard. You chose the life we mortals live and more. You understand my struggles and I am grateful. Now you are asking me to take up my cross and live sacrificially. The concerns and wounds of my life are challenging enough. How can I add another life commitment, one which will no doubt cause me to fall? Heal me. Hold me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

2009-03-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 5:30-47
30 "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

31 "If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies on my behalf, and I know that his testimony to me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But I have a testimony greater than John's. The works that the Father has given me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his form, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent. 39 "You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. 41 I do not accept glory from human beings. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; if another comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But if you do not believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?"

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Eleventh Station – Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Jesus: The pain kept coming as they nailed me to the cross. I nearly fainted. And yet I was even more clear: this was right, this would complete my mission. The irony of being crucified between two criminals, one repentant and one defiant, also seemed oddly right. There are always those who are eager to believe and those who refuse. Even so, some who say “Yes” so readily, ultimately betray and abandon me when the cost becomes too much. While others, who resist or even deny me at first, often become my most faithful followers. Those who take up their cross and follow, are believers, are disciples, are truly my friends.

Friend: Sometimes I feel like the one with the mallet in his hand striking the nails piercing your hands and feet. At the same time, my heart is weeping to know that you endured the pain because you love me. Such ambivalence is all too familiar to me. Jesus, I love you and would do anything for you, but I love my life too – the way it is. To comply with your will on everything is more than I can handle – more than I really want to change and give to you. I confess that I want to be “Christian,” but on my terms – and my terms aren’t enough. Lord Christ, sanctify me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 5:19-29
19 Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished. 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 "Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; 27 and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be astonished at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Tenth Station – Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
Jesus: We finally got to the top of the hill and I knew it would soon be over. The soldiers ripped off my clothing leaving me naked except for the crown of thorns. This was yet another act to humiliate me. They cast lots for my garments, but I didn’t care. My body was beaten and abused. They mocked and cursed me. I had been treated like a criminal. But, they could not break my will – my commitment to my destiny. Soon I would die, not because of them, but for them – and for you, my friend.

Friend: The images of you are intolerable. Wasn’t the incarnation enough – becoming like us in human flesh? Armed with love you came to us. You possessed only the clothes you wore and now those are gone. By comparison, I have so much and sometimes I think my possessions possess me. In my own way I have often stripped you too and left you to suffer alone. I have denied your rightful place at the center of my life. Too often I have turned my back on you and yielded to my fears of failure, rejection and emptiness. Jesus, I share in the shame of your cross. Please absolve me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 5:1-18
After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Now that day was a sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, "It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat." But he answered them, "The man who made me well said to me, "Take up your mat and walk.' " They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, "Take it up and walk'?" 1Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have been made well! Do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore the Jews started persecuting Jesus, because he was doing such things on the sabbath.

But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, and I also am working." For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Ninth Station – Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus: My strength was gone, the pain intense. Darkness seemed to be closing in. I barely remember falling. For a moment I didn’t think I would be able to complete my mission. Simon whispered, “You are almost there.” I looked up and saw my destination was only a short distance now. Something within me felt stronger and I willed my body to move. All I had lived for had come to this time and place. My mission had to be fulfilled.

Friend: When I think of you falling again, I feel so ashamed. My faith has had so many ups and downs. Sometimes I am so committed to you and willing to follow you in every way. Then there are times when I am stressed and distracted. And times when I let other priorities and desires take over. Times when I claim my life for myself and ignore your will for me. I have fallen in life so many times and for all the wrong reasons. You fell again bearing the burden of my choices – my faithlessness. You stood up again because of your steadfast love for me. Lord, lift me up.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 4:43-54
43 When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee 44 (for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet's own country). 45 When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival; for they too had gone to the festival. 46 Then he came again to Cana in Galilee where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you F34 see signs and wonders you will not believe." 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my little boy dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. 51 As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, "Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him." 53 The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he himself believed, along with his whole household. 54 Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.

Stations of the Cross
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Eighth Station – Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus: There were women who were weeping for me – for my suffering and my imminent death. While most of the men stayed in the background out of fear, women were wailing and lamenting my fate. They could not understand what was happening was not about me. My life, my passion and death was about them and their children and their childrens children. There was still time for them to turn from their sin and love God with all their heart, all their soul and all their mind. Why is it so hard to believe what I say?

Friend: My eyes often fill with tears when I think of what you went through. Everything was so unfair. Crucifixion was for criminals and not prophets. Certainly not for the Son of God. My deepest grief is in knowing that you took this path for me – to give me life – to give me hope. I have never known, nor can I imagine, anyone loving me enough to die for me – and not only me, but for everyone who has and will live. Like the women, I weep for you. But I weep even more for myself because I am so unworthy. Jesus, change me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Collect of the Day
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 4:27-42
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." 33 Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?" 34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ
An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Seventh Station – Jesus Falls a Second Time
Jesus: The words of the prophet, Isaiah, kept going through my mind. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” I was exhausted and fell again. I felt betrayed and knew that a great injustice was being done to me. But I kept saying to myself, “This isn’t about me.” I was carrying the cross, carrying everything, for you. God’s love knows no limits.

Friend: How could you do this – especially for me? I know the scripture from memory, “God so loved the world that he a gave his only begotten son to the end that all that believe in him should not perish but have eternal life.” I know your words from memory, but not always by heart. I can hardly bear to think of you falling under the weight of the cross – under the weight of my sin and unbelief. I am so unworthy. Save me.

Jesus: The words of the prophet, Isaiah, kept going through my mind. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” I was exhausted and fell again. I felt betrayed and knew that a great injustice was being done to me. But I kept saying to myself, “This isn’t about me.” I was carrying the cross, carrying everything, for you. God’s love knows no limits.

Friend: How could you do this – especially for me? I know the scripture from memory, “God so loved the world that he a gave his only begotten son to the end that all that believe in him should not perish but have eternal life.” I know your words from memory, but not always by heart. I can hardly bear to think of you falling under the weight of the cross – under the weight of my sin and unbelief. I am so unworthy. Save me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Daily Devotion

2009-03-07T00:00:00.000-06:00

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 4:1-26
1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11 "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." 17 "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." 19 "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." 21 Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." 25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." 26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ

An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Fifth Station – The Cross is Laid on Simon of Cyrene

Jesus: Simon was an innocent bystander who had just come to Jerusalem for the Passover. He knew nothing of what was happening, but soldiers forced him to help me carry the cross. At first he was angry at the imposition and became even more angry with the humiliating and difficult task. Then our eyes met. I felt compassion flowing from me. As we journeyed together, I began to feel compassion flowing from Simon to me. He became a willing participant. As Simon shared the burden of my cross, I realized he was beginning to carry his cross of sacrifice too. He had my cross on his shoulder and an arm around my waist. Together we climbed the hill.

Friend: I wish I could have been Simon. At the same time I’m not sure I could have done what he was forced to do – much less volunteered. Even now I feel an attraction and a reluctance to take up my cross for you. It is much easier to embrace the “Sweet Jesus” in the pictures of my childhood. This is much different. Simon became your friend and you have called me “friend”. I don’t know that my faith is strong enough. Please forgive me.

Daily Devotion

2009-03-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 3:22-36
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." 27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less. 31 "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Jesus’ Friends Following in the Way of Jesus Christ

An Invitation from Jesus: Welcome to the way of the cross. If you truly want to be my disciple, remember, “I have loved you just as God has loved me. Remain in my love.” If you really want to be my servant, “This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends.” Listen carefully, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” Come now and experience the Stations of the Cross with me and learn of God’s love. Then, my friend, take up your cross daily and follow me into your world. This is the way of life now and forever.

Fourth Station – Jesus Meets His Mother

Jesus: What grief I felt when I saw my blessed mother. I cried for her and not for myself. She had been told that a sword of grief would pierce her soul and now her face reflects her agony. Deeper than the agony, I see love and encouragement in her eyes. She always supported my mission even when she didn’t fully understand or was fearful. Mother wanted to know and live into God’s will for her and for me. Even in her grief, her faith was unwavering. I love her.

Friend: The Blessed Virgin Mary, your mother, was always there for you, wasn’t’ she? I have respected her from the first time I heard the Christmas story. I seldom allowed myself to think of her pain as she watched you being rejected, being humiliated, being put to death. What strength and commitment! What faith! If only I could believe like she believed – live like she lived – suffer like she suffered. Teach me, Lord.

Daily Devotional

2009-02-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

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

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 1:29-34
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

Reflection
One of my favorite authors, an author whose words have helped shape my life, is Madeleine L'Engle. This amazing woman has given voice to so many profoundly spiritual insights that I think we should name her works: "The Gospel According to Madeleine". In one of my favorites of many favorites, The Irrational Season, she has personally inscribed a message to me that reads: "Bless all seasons".

And that must include this season of Lent upon which we have so newly set forth. Look for ways, for reasons to "bless". Be ever alert and watchful for ways in which your life is being blessed!

In today's gospel reading, we see that John, the Baptizer, was blessed by seeing and knowing Jesus as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." We, too, can hope to be blessed with the recognition of our Lord as Jesus, Lamb of God, bearer of a wondrous love. We can pray for courage to be given insight into the depth of God's love as shown through Jesus.

In The Irrational Season, the question is asked: "What one of us can understand a love so great that we would willingly limit our unlimitedness, put the flesh of mortality over our immortality, accept all the pain and grief of humanity, submit to betrayal by that humanity, be killed by it, and die a total failure (in human terms) on a common cross between two thieves?"

Another question, posed so beautifully in an old American folk hymn: "What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul?"

"O Lamb of God, have mercy on us."

thoughts of a fellow traveler, DMc

Daily Devotional

2009-02-25T00:00:00.001-06:00

Daily Devotion

2009-02-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Daily Devotional

2009-02-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

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

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 1:1-18
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Reflection
"En el principeo era el Verbo, y el Verbo era con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios."
"In the beginning was the Verb, and the Verb was with God, and the Verb was God."
(John 1:1 translated literally from the Spanish)

My Christian formation has been ongoing for many years, decades actually! One passage of Scripture that continues to speak clearly and decisively to me is this profound statement of Christian belief from the opening verses of the Gospel according to John. It seems there is always something new, something life-restoring that speaks through these ancient words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

A little book of poetry and photography that has been on my shelf of "favorites" since the mid 1970's is titled: "God is a Verb!" by Marilee Zdenek and Marge Champion. On the fly leaf of this treasured book is a simple statement: "For God, to me, it seems, is a verb, not a noun."

And isn't this what we are called to be as children of this God-of-action: people living out our Christian inheritance; people active and alive in this world being the hands and feet and eyes and ears and the very heart of this Jesus we claim as Savior and Lord.

"You are the healing, the loving, the touching
You are the laughing. You are the dancing.
Jesus, Verb of God, You are the moving – move in me."
- from "God is a Verb!"

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

2009-02-22T00:00:00.002-06:00

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

Gospel Reading of the Day, John 12:24-32
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."

Reflection
"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

We can always tell when spring is almost here at our house – the garden catalogs begin arriving in the mail! And what glorious promises they make, complete with full-page color pictures of the "fruits of your labors". I feast on the pictures of the beautiful flowers. I salivate on the pictures of the sumptuous fruits and vegetables. I shake and tremble when remembering all the work that a productive garden requires, even though my husband does most of that work!

Isn't it just like Jesus to use a basic-needs-for-human-survival example to teach us a basic-needs-for-spiritual-survival lesson. Consider the mystery of how a tiny seed – (have you ever seen a lettuce seed?) – could contain all things necessary to spring to life when planted, cared for, tended to and finally harvested. Or how one small kernel (seed) of corn can possibly grow into those "high-as-an-elephant's-eye" stalks of golden promise in late summer. Mystery or miracle? Some of each, the best of both!

And that's what we are promised when we allow the "seed" of God's love to be planted into the fertile, or sometimes fallow, garden of our heart. Check out the glorious promises in God's "garden catalog" – the Bible. Eagerly anticipate the arrival of the promise of new life as the Seed of God's Love, proven to us by Jesus, grows and bears much fruit in your life. Then you decide: mystery or miracle – or the best of both!

Happy gardening!

thoughts of a fellow traveler - DMc

Daily Devotional

2009-02-21T00:00:00.001-06:00

Daily Devotion

2009-02-20T00:00:00.001-06:00

Daily Devotional

2009-02-19T00:23:00.005-06:00

Collect of the Day
Almighty and most merciful God, grant, we beseech thee, that by the indwelling of thy Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for thy service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Gospel Reading of the Day, Mark 12:13-27
13 Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14And they came and said to him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15Should we pay them, or should we not?’ But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, ‘Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.’ 16And they brought one. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ 17Jesus said to them, ‘Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ And they were utterly amazed at him.

18 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, 19‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man* shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 20There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; 21and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; 22none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. 23In the resurrection* whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.’
24 Jesus said to them, ‘Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 25For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? 27He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.’

Daily Devotion
Can you imagine Jesus' frustration in dealing with these questions. The Sadducees and Pharisees were not honest in their questions. They didn't really want the answers. They wanted to trap Jesus and discredit him. And if we are honest, most of us really enjoyed how Jesus "got" them! Jesus was pretty slick don't you think?

Actually he was rather kind, even compassionate, in his response. He didn't answer in the same spirit as the questioners. Jesus' answer, along with everything he said and did, came out of a heart filled with God.

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius describes three different responses people give regarding their relationship with Christ. The first is the one who talks a good game, but never follows through -- sounds good but is empty on the inside. The second is the person who goes through the motions -- may do some good things -- but for all the wrong reasons -- looks good but is still centered on self. The third person lives into and through his relationship with Christ freely. What he or she says or does reflects Christ from within -- sounds and looks like Christ incarnate again.

Which one are you? What do you want to be?

Blessings,
Fr. Lee+

Daily Devotional

2009-02-18T00:30:00.002-06:00

Collect of the Day
O God, our refuge and our strength: You raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your Church in the light of your word. Defend and purify the Church in our own day and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Feast Day for Martin Luther
Gospel Reading of the Day, John 15:1-11
15‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes* to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed* by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become* my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Daily Devotion
This is the feast day for Martin Luther (1483-1546). He is not known as a saint in the church as a whole -- becoming a saint is primarily a "Roman" deal and they are not going there with Luther. The Gospel for his feast day is certainly an interesting one -- and very appropriate. Meanwhile, I have an interesting segment on Luther from an old book in my library -- "A Handbook of Christian Theology" edited by Marviin Halverson and Arthur Cohen.

"Lutheranism is an interpretation of Christianity. The name derives from Martin Luther , though he himself deprecated its use in designation of the movement he initiated in the Church. Born and educated in the medieval Latin Church, he never thought of himself as founder of a new church, much less of a sect within Christendom. His followers were called Protestants, especially in the political repercussons which followed the religious changes, but Luther and his colleagues were most intent on a reformation of and within the Church. Luther in fact never left the church of his childhood, but was expelled from it by the hierarchy which refused to countenance the changes he called for. Belatedly the Roman Church effected some reforms in the Council of Trent."

The Reformation was both a blessing and a curse. Luther and others certainly birthed an epiphany and movement that defined faith as a relationship with God through Jesus Christ -- the heart of what it means to be Church. On the other hand, the Church has never stopped "splintering." And, I don't see an end to this continual fracturing of the Church. The question may be what is claim our attention and energy: what divides us or what unites us.

Peace,
Fr. Lee+