Be true to yourself and take care of your brother or sister

Morning: Psalm 34; Isaiah 49:1-6; I Corinthians 4:1-16

Evening: Psalms 96, 100; Isaiah 55:1-5; John 1:35-42

Today is named for St. Andrew – patron saint of Russia & Ukraine (where he was a missionary), Romania, Barbados and Scotland.  Legend says Andrew died crucified on a saltire (X-shaped) cross.  He was the first of Jesus’s apostles; he brought Peter to Jesus, but his brother received more of history’s attention.  Andrew is a lesser figure, yet how different history would be without him.  His story seems to say: You may be a ‘minor player’, but you never know what you or your loved ones may accomplish, so be true to yourself and take care of your brother or sister.

No justice, no peace

Morning: Psalms 131, 132, 133; Zechariah 13:1-9; Ephesians 1:15-23

Evening: Psalms 134, 135; Zephaniah 3:1-13; Luke 19:11-27

The climax of Jesus’s life will occur in Jerusalem.  There, he will confront the powers of the present age and eclipse them in a radically shocking, unexpected way – by suffering and dying at their hands.  Jesus carries a promise of both justice and mercy.  Today’s parable is stark, even brutal, difficult to unpack, but one thing is certain … there will be a reckoning when the true King comes with his message of grace, and those who oppose his way of mercy and peace will not be comforted.  They too will suffer before goodness can prevail.  No justice, no peace.

The transformative influence of Jesus

Morning: Psalm 119:145-176; Zechariah 12:1-10; Ephesians 1:3-14

Evening: Psalms 128, 129, 130; Obadiah 15-21; Luke 19:1-10

If Jesus came to town, would you go to see him?  I’m sure I would.  Zaccheus, the little tax-collector – one with a reputation for over-charging people on their taxes and keeping the surplus for himself – climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Jesus invited himself to Zaccheus’s house for a meal.  Zaccheus was so astounded by the way Jesus treated him that he promised to compensate everyone whom he had cheated.  Now, I may not meet Jesus face to face, but he is still a profoundly transformative influence in the world, and in my life.

Comprehending what Jesus is about … or not

Morning: Psalms 121, 122, 123; Zechariah 11:4-17; I Corinthians 3:10-23

Evening: Psalms 124, 125, 126; Nahum 1:1-13; Luke 18:31-43

Those closest to Jesus don’t see that he is inaugurating a new reality by taking upon himself the dark powers and blindness of the old order, even death itself.  They do not comprehend that Jesus absorbs all the brutal fury of the dark forces.  Jesus proposes no military or political solutions, so is often spiritualized or domesticated by adherents and opponents who don’t understand him.  The blind man understands, though … because he trusts Jesus. The non-religious may be slow to accept Jesus, but often it’s his most fervent followers who are most blind to the radical Love he represents.

Let go and trust a bigger purpose than things

Morning: Psalm 106: 1-18; Zechariah 10:1-12; Galatians 6:1-10

Evening: Psalm 106:19-48; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17; Luke 18:15-30

Stampedes of shoppers storming stores on ‘Black Friday’ … how deeply entrenched possessions have become as illusory guarantors of identity in our culture. What can life be about if not acquiring more stuff?  Yet the rich young ruler is not satisfied with his life. Jesus invites him to give up trusting in possessions, but sadly the young man cannot imagine finding meaning in life apart from his things.  He goes away sad … you get the feeling he goes away empty too.  How long will those Black Friday specials satisfy … even until Boxing Day, do you think?

The humble will be vindicated

Morning: Psalms 107:33-43, 108; Malachi 3:13-4:6; James 5:13-20

Evening: Psalm 33; Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 18:9-14

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector at prayer in the Temple is famous for the Pharisee’s self-righteousness and the tax collector’s humility.  It is another sort of courtroom scene; and like yesterday’s story, it shows that the cosmos leans towards justice.  Justice means the self-righteous are finally humbled and the humble are finally lifted up.  How elated the humble will be, says Jesus, because they will be vindicated … they will be at peace with themselves and with all things.

Justice is written into the fabric of the cosmos

Morning: Psalm 102; Malachi 3:1-12; James 5:7-12

Evening: Psalm 107:1-32; Luke 18:1-8

When a judge is found guilty of wrongdoing, you may be shocked at first but you are not completely surprised.  All people are susceptible to human foibles and shortcomings, whatever their position.  You may hope for better, but you should be prepared to be let down.  So if even one of these less than perfect mortals finally succumbs to the perseverance of a widow seeking justice, Jesus says, imagine how true justice will behave.  Since a tendency towards equilibrium is written into the fabric of the cosmos, we can expect real justice in the end.  Until then, we persevere.

Live well now; let death wait

Morning: Psalm 105:1-22; Malachi 2:1-16; James 4:13-5:6

Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; Luke 17:20-37

Some Gospel passages are challenging.  This is one, with Jesus responding to people’s worries about the End.  I think explorer David Livingstone gave a good summary of Jesus’s response: “I do not know how the great loving Father will bring out the light at last, but he knows and he will do it.”  Or, don’t worry yourself with things that don’t concern you – like when the end will come, your own or the world’s.  Why? Because that’s like a living death, and there are ‘vultures’ who feed on our preoccupation with death.  Instead, devote your thoughts to living well now.

Humility: forgiveness, faith, & obedience

Morning: Psalms 97, 99, 100; Habakkuk 3:1-18; James 3:1-12

Evening: Psalm 94; Luke 17:1-10

When you are humble, you don’t know it.  The path to humility, Jesus teaches, is through forgiveness, faith and obedience.  When you forgive someone, even many times, they don’t owe you … you are not their master but their servant; even Jesus came offering forgiveness … “not to be served, but to serve.”  And faith acknowledges God’s greatness ... we trust a power beyond our own.  While obedience is being true to your nature … You cannot put God in your debt, saying, “I served others, now I deserve special privilege,” because serving others is the natural thing to do.

What … Change??!!!

Morning: Psalm 89:1-18; Habakkuk 2:1-4, 9-20; James 2:14-26

Evening: Psalm 89:19-52; Luke 16:19-31

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus highlights the plight of the poor.  Even so, Jesus tells the Pharisees, corrupt as they are, it’s not too late to change; they can learn from Moses and the prophets.  Most importantly, Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection as fulfilling Moses’ and the prophets’ teachings.  Trouble is, even someone rising from the dead will not convince those who refuse to learn from ancient wisdom.  If Jesus had taught using a joke, it might go like this … ‘How many Pharisees does it take to change a light bulb?  What … Change??!!!’

Getting clear what really matters

Morning: Psalms 66, 67; Habakkuk 1:1-2:1; Philippians 3:13-4:1

Evening: Psalms 19, 46; Matthew 23:13-24

Superstitious and idolatrous practices sometimes grow up in religious communities and they distract people from what’s really important.  I notice some people are nervous about doing the right things at the right time in church … like bowing to the altar or making the sign of the cross.  These are simply spiritual disciplines that some may find helpful … Jesus teaches us not to make arbitrary ‘rules’ that contradict Love or make us so nervous about whether we’re ‘doing it right’ that they make us forget Love altogether.  Love is what matters, above all else.  Love is our guide.

Being faithful – money, wealth, relationships

Morning: Psalms 87, 90; Joel 3:9-17; James 2:1-13

Evening: Psalm 136; Luke 16:10-17

When it comes to money, wealth and relationships, Jesus invites faithfulness. Jesus warns that money, wealth, and possessions can make us unfaithful to our true selves. He warns, also, about unfaithfulness in relationships, being too ready to set them aside.  Faithfulness is our true nature: faithfulness in our use of money; faithfulness to God and not to money; faithfulness to Love; faithfulness to our hearts and not to outward appearances; faithfulness to the dream we have for the world and for our children.

Difficult times call for unconventional solutions

Morning: Psalm 88; Joel 2:28 – 3:8; James 1:16-27

Evening: Psalms 91, 92; Luke 16:1-9

The ‘dishonest manager’ curries favour with his master’s customers by discounting their bills for oil and wheat.  Why? It was common practice to charge interest on credit purchases, but to do it ‘in kind’ – in this case extra oil or wheat – thereby hiding the interest … It was illegal under Jewish law to charge interest.  The manager was probably deducting just the interest – his master could say nothing publicly or else he would be discovered to be charging interest.  Is Jesus encouraging dishonesty in business?  No, but he may be encouraging us to get creative in challenging situations?

It is our failures that help us show mercy

Morning: Psalms 23, 27; Joel 2:21-27; James 1:1-15

Evening: Psalms 85, 86; Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

Failures – when we admit them and accept forgiveness – and hardships can both contribute to maturity and wisdom.  We all fail; we all experience troubles. It is hard to understand others when they let us down or when they blame their troubles on us.  You would think that, given our common experience of failure and trouble, we would be ready for anything.  Sadly, failure and struggle wounds some people more deeply than others.  So pray for an understanding heart … Compassion heals the one who receives mercy but also the one who shows mercy.

Wednesday November 14th – Radical Love to all who turn and seek help

Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Joel 2:12-19; Revelation 19:11-21

Evening: Psalms 81, 82; Luke 15:1-10

There was a time when I felt like such a failure and so unworthy of my calling that I did not know where to turn.  I sought help from a former nun, who trained people for spiritual care work in hospitals.  She heard my story, understood that I needed to make a fresh start, and she welcomed me.  I felt that she valued me and rejoiced over me so that I could begin anew.  From her, I felt again the radical Love that Jesus (and therefore God) extends to all who are broken and turn to him for help.

The cost of discipleship

Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Joel 1:15-2:11; Revelation 19:1-10

Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; Luke 14:25-35

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian killed by the Nazis because he actively opposed Hitler.  Bonhoeffer discovered that when Jesus said discipleship might mean letting go of family, possessions, and life itself, he spoke the truth.  The ongoing task of discipleship in our own troubling and rather dark times has not changed.  There are those still hell-bent on building walls and towers and fighting wars … How can disciples of Jesus faithfully call people to be obedient to their true nature – since we are all made for Love - when Love is so costly?  How can they not?

All are invited … who will come to the feast?

Morning: Psalm 80; Joel 1:1-13; Revelation 18:15-24

Evening: Psalms 77, 79; Luke 14:12-24

Jesus often uses parables about feasts, and the Gospels tell stories about Jesus at feasts.  On an everyday moral and practical level, these stories encourage us to make our tables inclusive and not just banquets for a select few … good idea.  On a ‘good news’ level, though, this story holds a vision of what many dream about on a larger scale … a society of fair balance. All are welcome at Jesus’s table.  Some may refuse. While they’re busy with other priorities, though, they may miss something amazing.  But that’s their choice … and ours.

Grace for those whom everyone else ignores

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; I Corinthians 14:1-12

Evening: Psalm 34; Ezra 10:1-17; Matthew 20:1-16

The parable of vineyard workers who all get paid the same whether they work all day or only for an hour is not a comment about social justice or union activity in the workplace.  Rather, it says God’s abundance is for everyone.  Jesus’s followers may feel their faithfulness entitles them to extraordinary rewards.  But Jesus says they deserve no more than everyone else – God’s grace is for all.  In fact, Jesus implies that God is not so much with the faithful religious folk as he is out in the square, welcoming and offering grace to those whom everyone else ignores.

Jostling for position doesn’t work in the end

Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Revelation 18:1-14

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; Luke 14:1-11

Jesus often confronts the human tendency to expect special privileges and advantages because you regard yourself to be more important, more righteous, or more worthy than other people.  Jesus, on the other hand, chooses to spend time with those whom society thinks are unimportant, unrighteous, or unworthy.  Ultimately, if we try to elbow our way to the front of every line, we will be humbled, and the humble will be served before us.

Jesus, the fox and the chickens

Morning: Psalm 69:1-38; Revelation 17:1-18

Evening: Psalm 73; Luke 13:31-35

The Gospel today reminds me of an Aesop fable … Jesus responds to threats from “that fox”, Herod.  The people are ‘chicks’ that the hen protects under her wing.  In farmyard fires, chicks have been found alive under the scorched wing of a dead hen, which died to save them.  Whether Jesus’s powerful, protective metaphor (‘like a hen gathers her brood under her wing’) is about saving people from ‘fox’ or fire, it shows Jesus is ready to give himself to protect the nation, its people and its faith.  He is the peace-envoy, whether or not all accept him.

One small action … multiplies

Morning: Psalms 70, 71; Revelation 16:12-21

Evening: Psalm 74; Luke 13:18-30

A child is born!  Or, from a tiny mustard seed, a tree!  A little leaven transforms 3 measures of flour … The new reality grows from small beginnings.  Still, Jesus says it’s urgent – like, ‘Don’t miss this open door (however small); don’t miss this moment.’  The metaphor of a closed door is not about some final cosmic outcome.  Jesus’s followers’ present situation is the one that matters most; ours too.  Even our small actions may usher in the very thing that is needed now.  And then come the next small actions … and the next …

Jesus: Way of liberation

Morning: Psalm 72; Revelation 16:1-11

Evening: Psalm 119:73-96; Luke 13:10-17

The bent over woman – probably suffering some kind of mental affliction – is like the nation as a whole; bent out of shape by specious arguments about what is right or wrong.  What Jesus does for the woman (‘untying’ her from her 18 years of bondage) is what he longs to do for the nation –indeed for any nation caught in its own kind of bondage to forces that seem beyond its control. Jesus exposes and opposes the narrow tyranny of fear (emotional, mental, religious, social, political) … Fear keeps people and nations tied in knots when they could be free.

Schools in which to practise a change of heart

Morning: Psalms 61, 62; Revelation 14:14 – 15:8

Evening: Psalm 68:1-20; Luke 13:1-9

Have you ever experienced conflict in a faith community?  All human communities experience conflict.  But what then?  On a larger scale, Jews in Pittsburgh and Christians in Egypt were killed last week at worship.  These were instances of religious hatred akin to Pilate’s murder of pilgrims in the Temple in Jesus’ day.  Jesus taught that human conflicts show our need of a change of heart (repentance) – as individuals and as societies. Faith communities are schools in which to practise a change of heart towards one another in small conflicts and so prepare our hearts for the bigger, societal conflicts.

Be clear about how to maintain peace

Morning: Psalms 56, 57, 58; Revelation 14:1-13

Evening: Psalms 64, 65; Luke 12:49-59

Today, in 1605, they discovered Guy Fawkes’ religious conspiracy to torch the Houses of Parliament.  Today, 42 years ago, I left England and came to Canada. Today, 38 years ago, my eldest son was born.  Relationships – political, religious and personal – mark this day for me.  When Jesus says he came to bring fire to the earth, it resonates on all levels.  Jesus calls us to be clear where we stand.  And, since we will not always agree, even with those we hold most dear, we must also be clear about how to make and maintain peace with one another.

Forgiveness is a law of nature, like gravity

Morning: Psalms 24, 29; I Corinthians 12:27 – 13:13

Evening: Psalms 8, 84; Matthew 18:21-35

There is no limit to how often you must forgive someone; whether they say, “Sorry”, or not.  Jesus teaches that when you do not forgive a ‘sister’ or ‘brother’ from the heart, you yourself suffer. When you hang on to anger or judgement towards another person who has wronged you, it will feel like you are being tortured.  The torment another person feels when you refuse to forgive them is a torment you yourself endure, because you will not forgive.  This consequence follows naturally.  Forgiveness is a law of Nature, like gravity ... ignore it at your peril.

Gifts, Expectations, and Blessings

Morning: Psalm 55; Revelation 13:11-18

Evening: Psalm 138, 139; Luke 12:32-48

There is an individualistic theme in modern western culture that undermines community life.  It goes like this … If you’re gifted, lucky you!  That entitles you to privileges and rewards; the more gifted you are, the more comfortably you will live.  Enjoy yourself!  Jesus, on the other hand, points out a different path … Your gifts do not belong to you; they are not for sale, but for service.  The more gifted you are, the more your rewards and blessings need to be found in the satisfaction of service.  If you don’t like this teaching, maybe it’s especially for you!?

Love what Jesus stands for

Morning: Psalms 42, 46; Job 19:21-27a; Romans 8:14-19,31-39

Evening: Psalms 116, 121; John 14:1-16

Last week I was wondering what it means to love Jesus, this mysterious, perplexing and enchanting figure from 2,000 years ago?  What makes sense for me, I said, is that to love Jesus means to love what he stands for.  What Jesus stands for invariably gladdens my heart – Love, Justice, Courage, Compassion, Strength, Understanding, the list is long.  So when Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” could it mean that by loving what he stands for, I myself might also become loving, just, courageous, compassionate, strong and understanding?  That is my prayer.

The Dream: A New Heaven and New Earth

Morning: Psalms 111, 112; Hebrews 11:32 – 12:2

Evening: Psalms 148, 150; Wisdom 5:1-5, 14-16; Revelation 21:1-4, 22 – 22:5

The dream of John of Patmos is like our own dreams … “Every tear wiped away … death, no more … mourning and crying and pain, no more … no temple to make Love known; all will know … the healing of the nations … no evil … any more.”  Something like that may be at the core of what we all want for our children – a reality in which Love rules.  The dream of Love is planted in our hearts, because we are made in the image of Love.  We are made for Love.