“You’ve got to have a dream!” What’s yours?

Morning: Psalms 46, 48; 1 Kings 3:5-14; James 4:13-17, 5:7-11

Evening: Psalm 90; Revelation 21:1-6

My mother had a few records; one of them was “South Pacific”. She played it a lot when I was little. One of the songs is about a boy-girl romance, but a line from it stayed in my memory as a guide for life: “You’ve got to have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you goin’ to have a dream come true?” The Book of Revelation has a dream, of a new heaven and a new earth to supersede the old … a good dream for a new decade, something to reach for. What’s your dream?

What causes us to believe?

Morning: Psalms 20, 21:1-7; I Kings 17:17-24; 3 John 1-15

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; John 4:46-54

Some say they will believe if a miracle happens; others believe if they see proof … which is not belief at all, but knowledge. True belief is trusting … without a miracle. Later, belief may deepen, as did that of the Roman official whose son Jesus healed. He already believed sufficiently that he asked for help. Perhaps he had already experienced something astounding? … Haven’t we all? Life itself? Generosity? Love? Aren’t these everyday miracles enough to convince us that a higher power is behind them? Aren’t they enough to make us trust that even greater things are possible?

Ultimately, peace depends on whether you trust God

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; I Samuel 1:1-2. 7-28; Colossians 1:9-20

Evening: Psalm 34; Isaiah 62:6-7, 10-12; Luke 2:22-40

As you get older, you realize that not everything you dreamed of will happen in your lifetime! You may respond to this by thinking the world must surely be ‘going to hell in a handbasket’! Or, you may trust that the next generation will carry forward what you think important and worthwhile. However, it’s natural to look for signs. Simeon greeted the infant Jesus as a sign that all would be well with the world. Now, Simeon could live and die in peace. Ultimately, your peace depends on your trust in God.

Believing is Seeing, not the other way round

Morning: Psalm 26; Jeremiah 31:10–17; Galatians 4:1–7

Evening: Psalms 2, 8; John 1:1–18

On the radio the other day someone describing science said that when you have evidence you can believe.  But that is odd, because belief that requires evidence is not really belief. Belief is accepting what cannot be proved by external evidence. The affirmation that the Creator of the Universe took flesh and was born in human form is unique to Christianity. John declares that Jesus is light for all and brings grace and truth to all who receive him. You cannot discover what this means unless you first believe it. No evidence can prove it to you. Believing is seeing.

One who has suffered can help those who suffer

Morning: Psalms 148, 149, 150; Isaiah 41:17–20; Hebrews 2:10–18

Evening: Psalms 125, 126; Matthew 1:18–25

Henri Nouwen’s book “The Wounded Healer” explored what is often true … that, in order to become a useful companion for those who suffer, you yourself must have suffered in some way. The letter to the Hebrews describes Jesus similarly, that because he became like us in every respect, including by what he suffered. And, especially because his suffering was an expression of love, he is able to help us when we are tested. Suffering and death make us afraid; the love of Jesus works in us to overcome our fears.

Who are the ones most likely to share good news?

Morning: Psalm 145; Isaiah 41:8–10; Hebrews 1:1–12

Evening: Psalms 146, 147; Luke 2:15–21

Luke says the news of the Messiah’s birth came first to shepherds. They were poor, illiterate and dishonourable because they could not be home at night to protect their families. Some thought shepherds were thieves because their sheep grazed on other people's land. To these outcasts of polite society, counted with sailors, butchers, camel drivers, and other despised occupations … to these unlikely folk, the angel came with good news for all people, especially the lowly and outcast. Maybe the shepherds were first to hear this good news because they were the ones most likely to share it?

Let us love one another, for love is from God

Morning: Psalms 2, 85; Micah 4:1–5; 5:2–4; 1 John 4:7–16

Evening: Psalms 110, 132; John 3:31–36

Love speaks for itself. Something about love tells you it comes from beyond you.  You cannot order up love by telling yourself, “I’m going to love …”; or, even more ridiculous, by telling someone else, “You must love …” Love only becomes real when you recognize and accept the loving and creative power at the heart of all things, whom some call ‘God’, and it is beyond your control. Love is from God. When you find peace with yourself, with God and with all things, love comes unbidden and unforced. May you know this peace. May you know this love.

Humility is the measure of greatness

Morning: Psalms 45, 46; Baruch 4:36-5:9; Matthew 1:18-25

Evening: Psalm 89:1-29; Isaiah 59.15b–21 Philippians 2.5–11

It’s Christmas Eve; so, what do you think of Jesus? … Some think he is an exemplary human being, someone to imitate. But we call Jesus ‘Lord’ because he humbles himself, becomes like us, one of us.  This is the absolutely unique thing about Jesus; it is what makes him great. Heroes make us want to be like them, but we cannot all be heroes. Jesus wants us to be the humble, earthy creatures that we are; we can all do that. He honours our humanity by becoming human and calls us to be nothing more or less than ourselves.

Mercy, light and guidance

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Baruch 4:21–29; Galatian 3:15–22

Evening: Psalms 148, 150; Isaiah 33:17-22; Luke 1.67–80

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, foresaw what Jesus’ birth would mean when he said: ‘By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’  If ever we needed mercy and a new dawn from beyond us, if ever we needed light in the deep darkness that engulfs so much of our common life, if ever we needed guidance to lead our world into peace, it is now.

What will this child become?

Morning: Psalm 80; 2 Samuel 7:18–29; Galatians 3:1–14

Evening: Psalms 146, 147; Isaiah 29:13-24; Luke 1:57–66

Every child shows signs of what kind of person they will become … a spirit of compassion or a streak of determination; maybe the child is unusually fearful or, on the contrary, shows courage in the face of difficulty? For John the Baptist, what happened to his parents made people think John would be unusual, even great.  Many variables contribute to what we become. Nothing is predictable. Noble birth does not guarantee greatness, while humble origins may equip you with the resilience and wisdom you need to invite others into the Way of Peace.

The child whose Way offers justice to the earth

Morning: Psalm 72; 2 Samuel 7:1–17;  Titus 2:11—3.8a

Evening: Psalms 111, 113; Isaiah 28:9-22; Lk 1:39–56

Solstice: the light returns. Mary’s Song (‘Magnificat’) is light dawning in her; she responds, astonished, at what is happening … she trusts that she is carrying, in her womb, the Messiah long expected by her people.  Magnificat is the soulful celebration of the Good News her child brings. Mary sees a world transformed: the proud brought low, the humble lifted up, the hungry fed, and the rich learning to go without. Mary celebrates that the Way of Jesus brings justice to the earth, light to the nations … as soon as we follow his Way.

Let it be … trust how amazing this Jesus is

Morning: Psalms 66, 67; 1 Samuel 2:1b–10; Titus 2:1–10

Evening: Psalms 116, 117; Isaiah 11:10-16; Luke 1:26–38

“Let it be” is Mary’s response to what cannot be explained, her acceptance of what will become the astounding life of Jesus, her son.  How can it be that the infinite is born in human flesh?  How can it be that he lives and dies as one of us? What does this mean?  You may wrestle with these questions and the mystery to which they point. Eventually though, like Mary, perhaps you will accept this mystery?  The answers lie beyond human knowing, and to say ‘let it be’ is one way to begin to trust how amazing this Jesus is.

Wisdom’s children

Morning: Psalms 61, 62; Zephaniah 3:14–20;  Titus 1:1–16

Evening: Psalms 112, 115; Isaiah 11:1-9; Luke 1:1–25

Well, if an angel appeared to you and told you you were going to have a baby in your elder years after not being able to have children, you might be as dumbfounded as Zechariah!  Wouldn’t it be amazing to discover you could still make a significant contribution to the life of the world?  So, don’t count yourself out.  Why do you think age sometimes (not always!) brings wisdom?  Do you think it’s so you can keep it to yourself?  Be ready, your wisdom may yet beget ‘children’ … if not babies, at least perhaps a few other wise people?

Love does not betray itself

Morning: Psalms 24, 29; Genesis 3:8-15; Revelation 12:1-10

Evening: Psalms 8, 84; Isaiah 42:1-12; John 3:16-21

When the Bible talks about condemnation, God is not the one doing the condemning. This passage speaks clearly: ‘God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be made whole through him.’ Condemnation is the name for the trouble the world brings upon itself by not trusting Jesus’s Way of Love. But Love does not betray itself by condemning those who fail to love in return. When the world denies Love, it betrays its own nature, since the world is made by Love. When the world chooses Love, it thrives.

Wake up! … The voice of God in young people?

Morning: Psalm 45; Zechariah 2:1-13; Revelation 3:14-22

Evening: Psalms 47, 48; Isaiah 9:1-7; Matthew 24:32-44

The expression, ‘asleep at the wheel’ captures some of what the Gospel means when it says, ‘Keep awake!’ i.e. Live consciously. Dozing off at the wrong time can have disastrous consequences.  ‘Sleeping’ may be avoidance, too.  Young people are demanding that leaders ‘wake up!’ to the climate crisis which is also a crisis of leadership. They want leaders to be alert and find ways to turn things around. The Gospel implies that when humanity is ‘asleep at the wheel’, you never know when God may intervene. Perhaps these young people are, for us, the unexpected voice and intervention of God?

God intervenes, not to punish but to protect you

Morning: Psalms 41, 52; Zechariah 1:7-17; Revelation 3:7-13

Evening: Psalm 44; Isaiah 8:16-9:1; Matthew 24:15-31

Apocalyptic literature (which speaks of ‘the End’) is often dream-like, mysterious and sometimes vaguely horrific.  Jesus seems to have used apocalyptic language. It leaves you in no doubt that there are things God will not put up with … particularly the worship of idols. An idol is anything that takes God’s place. When you sacrifice yourself and your life to idols – seeking fulfillment there – you pervert your own true nature. Then you can expect God to intervene like a flash of lightning, immediately, not to punish but to protect you, to gather you to safety. Astounding thought!

Rejoice!

Morning: Psalms 63, 98; Amos 9:11–15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, 13–17

Evening: Psalm 103; Isaiah 32:1-18; John 5:30–47

Today is ‘Gaudete Sunday’, day of Rejoicing. Joy means serving a purpose bigger than yourself. It may take a shock – shame or guilt, failure or weakness – to help you realize your vision has become self-centred. Yet when you allow your narrow priorities to give way to collaboration with others in the well-being of the Cosmos, Joy opens up! You discover that Life’s purpose is the restoration of the Creation by Love, and the renewal of all things by Compassion … and that your own life’s goal is to serve this greater purpose with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Endure … but not just in your own strength

Morning: Psalms 30, 32; Haggai 2.1–9; Revelation 3.1–6

Evening: Psalms 42, 43; Matthew 24.1-14

Jesus predicts there will be trouble on the way to a better world … the temple’s destruction; false messiahs; strife; conflict; famines; earthquakes; betrayal; hatred; lawlessness and the loss of love.  In the face of trouble, Jesus counsels endurance … Share the good news that a better future will surely dawn; it will be embodied and enacted in the lives of those who endure and remain faithful to his Way and his vision.  It is easy to despair and be discouraged by trouble when you trust in your own strength. But God’s strength produces endurance and the victory of love.

Woe to me!

Morning: Psalm 31; Haggai 1.1–15; Revelation 2.18–29

Evening: Psalm 35; Mt 23.27–39

Last night I was on a “Zoom” call, a group call where some have video and others just a phone connection; I thought I was the only one with video.  As the meeting went on, I gestured my frustration at something, thinking the others could not see me.  From their reaction, they could!  ‘Busted’ and embarrassed, I apologized.  Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Woe to you … on the outside you look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy.”  Now those people know how hypocritical I can be!  Woe to me!  Tomorrow is a new day!

Woe to you, blind guides!

Morning: Psalm 37:1-18; Amos 9.1–10; Revelation 2.8–17

Evening: Psalm 37:19-42; Matthew 23.13–26

Jesus calls down trouble on all who guide others yet are themselves blind to the truth.  Jesus’s priority is that you attend to your own actions. He calls it hypocrisy to advise others when your own actions are flawed. Not many should presume to be teachers. So, what am I doing here?!  I pray that here I simply seek to understand the teachings of Jesus that seem essential for living well and then pass on a few thoughts and questions to get you thinking too.  If I presume to peddle my own teachings rather than Jesus’s, do not listen!

Integrity … doing what you say you value

Morning: Psalm 38; Amos 8.1–14; Revelation 1.17—2.7

Evening: Psalm 119:25-48; Matthew 23.1–12

Jesus advises that when self-important teachers teach the true way, you should follow the way, but not them!  Why? … They are too concerned with what other people think of their good deeds; they are proud; they want to be treated with a respect that they do not deserve.  The Book of Proverbs affirms: ‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall’. And James: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ If, like Uriah Heep, you think highly of how humble you are, you’re not! To truly serve is to live well.

Read Jesus’ story and marvel at its wisdom

Morning: Psalms 26, 28; Amos 7.10–17; Revelation 1.9–16

Evening: Psalms 36, 39; Matthew 22.34–46

Various kinds of religious leaders want to discredit Jesus and try to catch him out with their questions. They do not succeed. Instead, in his simple yet profound responses, Jesus turns the tables on them, so that they do not dare to ask him any more questions.  Jesus’ responses are so full of astounding insight that you know they come from an extraordinary human being. There is something remarkable about Jesus, even before you consider his death and resurrection. Maybe those who still try to discredit him and his way need to read his story and marvel at its wisdom?

It’s best not to speculate about life after death

Morning: Psalm 25; Amos 7.1–9; Revelation 1.1–8

Evening: Psalms 9, 15; Matthew 22.23–33

When they questioned Jesus about what happens when you die, Jesus redirected their attention to the living, while leaving open the possibility of dimensions of reality beyond our comprehension. An unhealthy preoccupation with the afterlife – whatever you believe about it – is a distraction from this moment and from the life with which you have been blessed right now.  While you live, worrying or speculating about what’s coming down the road means you never really live here.  But here and now is all you really need to be concerned with. It is sufficient.

How do you find words to describe a miracle?

Morning: Psalms 148, 149, 150; Amos 6.1–14; 2 Thessalonians 1.5–12

Evening: Psalms 114, 115; Luke 1.57–68

The story goes: the angel tells Zechariah his wife Elizabeth will have a son and that they should call the child John.  Zechariah is rendered speechless by the encounter – Is it the consequence of his doubt or just plain shock and awe that ties his tongue?  When the child is born, Zechariah confirms the boy should be named ‘John’.  Then, Zechariah can speak again.  Sometimes an idea is so astounding, so unbelievable that you’re dumbfounded, you don’t know what to say, maybe you’re afraid to speak? … until – even more astounding – it happens!!  Then you want to tell everyone.

Trying to discredit others shows you doubt yourself

Morning: Psalms 20, 21; Amos 5.18–27   Jude 17–25

Evening: Psalms 110, 116, 117; Matthew 22.15–22

One unappealing aspect of politics is leaders maligning their political opponents … I cannot respect that.  Public discourse has degenerated into rampant disrespect, with social media as a vehicle for slandering those with whom you disagree.  If leaders trust their own convictions, they need not expend energy propagating stories that demean their opponents.  Trying to discredit others shows you doubt yourself. Jesus’ enemies could not lure him into this trap, because he was clear that leaders are accountable to a higher authority than their own.  Trust God and you won’t worry about your image.

For peace … the violence in us all must cease

Morning: Psalms 16, 17; Amos 5.1–17; Jude 1–16

Evening: Psalm 22; Matthew 22.1–14

Jesus describes two kinds of people who miss the point.  All people are invited to help shape a truly human community of peace and justice.  Some have no time for that – they even violently oppose it and mistreat its messengers. Their violence will consume them.  All who expect peace without justice will be frustrated.  30 years ago today, 14 women were murdered in Montreal.  Peace will come when all are safe from violence that dehumanizes others for reasons of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability … whatever!  For all to enjoy peace, the violence in us all must cease!

The power of Love

Morning: Psalm 18:1-20; Amos 4.6–13; 2 Peter 3.11–18

Evening: Psalm 18:21-50; Matthew 21.33–46

There is relentless certainty in Jesus’ statement: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’, the most important stone of the building. For the world, what Jesus represents – the power of Love – is the rejected stone. But do not stand in the way of this ‘stone’, or it will ‘crush’ you. It sounds contradictory that Love crushes anyone or anything. But perhaps it helps to think of it like this … Jesus knows that, ultimately, the power of Love overwhelms and crushes the power of evil and death.  Take care not to oppose the way of Love.

The prayer of faith

Morning: Psalms 5, 6; Amos 3.1–11; 2 Peter 1.12–21

Evening: Psalms 10, 11; Matthew 21.12–22

‘Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive,’ says Jesus.  For some, that means prayer is asking God to satisfy your priorities, and, if you really believe, God will deliver. Sadly, that sounds like if you don’t believe strongly enough, God won’t deliver. But God is true; you cannot twist his arm! … Well, how can you know what God wants?  You may get closer to that by getting to know God … Prayer is mostly seeking the will of God. Then you will know what to ask.  God’s will be done – not yours – is Jesus’ prayer.

Why don’t we take Jesus seriously? Is it not time?

Morning: Psalms 1, 2, 3; Amos 2.6–16; 2 Peter 1.1–11

Evening: Psalms 4, 7; Matthew 21.1–11

The symbolic messages of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem directly challenge our culture.  Our queen and governors (and we ourselves at times), whatever our public claims about allegiance to the way of Jesus, ride limousines not donkeys. Authority’s trappings are pomp and circumstance not humility, sumptuousness not simplicity.  Do we approve of this?  Is there one thing in Jesus the King’s teaching and example about how to live that we take seriously and follow?  Is it time for us to finally consider his way as a serious call rather than as a quaint, lofty ideal for which we have no appetite?

Of temples and things … the priorities of Love

Morning: Psalms 146, 147; Amos 1.1–5, 13—2.8; 1 Thessalonians 5.1–11

Evening: Psalms 111, 112, 113; Luke 21.5–9

When they said how magnificent the Temple was, Jesus said the days would come when it would be thrown down … not one stone would be left.  He was concerned to teach them to have clear priorities. Their admiring a beautiful building led him to point out how temporary it was.  Why did he do that?  I believe he wanted them not to be deceived into thinking that Love lives in temples made by human hands, but rather in and through people and communities who are devoted to the purposes of Love.  We are the temple.

Blind, but now I see

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

Evening: Psalm 104; Zechariah 14:12-21; Matthew 20:29-34

Two blind men call out to Jesus, “Let our eyes be opened!”  Three reasons prevent sight – actual blindness, eyes physically closed, or, you just don’t see the obvious right before your eyes. Jesus is concerned with the third kind of vision problem – seeing but not seeing.  He wants us to see things as they really are and not ‘shut our eyes’ to what we find unpalatable or disagreeable. Interestingly, the two men were blind together and then together they could see.  One person’s blindness may reinforce another’s, or, we may help one another see the truth and follow it.

The measure of greatness

Morning: Psalms 140, 142; Isaiah 24:14-23; I Peter 3:13-4:6

Evening: Psalms 141, 143; Zechariah 14:1-11; Matthew 20:17-28

The first leader I ever heard ask her team, “How may I serve you?”, and mean it, was a manager in a Catholic hospital established by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The sisters modelled their own leadership style on the quintessential servant-leader, Jesus, and this manager caught their vision.  In that 1990s business-type environment, this leader’s question sounded astounding.  But, hers became a team that lived to serve, and was renowned for its excellence.  They were a great team, because their great leader’s first priority was to serve.  Still, I do not hear leaders asking her question often enough.

Quit comparing your work with others’

Morning: Psalms 131, 132; Zephaniah 3:1-13; I Peter 2:11-25

Evening: Psalms 134, 135; Zechariah 13:1-9; Matthew 20:1-16

The landowner in Jesus’ parable values all the workers’ efforts equally, no matter that some worked all day and others only hours.  Each day’s news about climate change from scientists suggests it is ‘late in the day’ already … We may have passed important tipping points, but there is still time, they say, to address this immense planetary crisis. We must act with urgency to help heal the earth.  Even small actions matter.  Jesus teaches that it will help us, too, to stop comparing the value of our work with that of others, and just get on with our own.

The blinding burden of riches

Morning: Psalm 119:145-176; Obadiah 15-21; I Peter 2:1-10

Evening: Psalms 128, 129, 130; Zechariah 12:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30

Jesus says it’s hard for the rich to find life.  Still, people think, “I could manage riches … Let me try!”  Compared with many nations, Canadians are rich.  In general, though, they don’t think so; there’s always someone richer.  So, the rich may not even realize that riches are an impediment to their life.  If you don’t know how fulfilled you’re not, riches are like death … you don’t ‘come back’, after becoming rich, to warn others, because you don’t know how un-fulfilled you are!?  Is that Jesus’ point? … riches can blind us to how deeply they affect us.

Is anything keeping you from being complete?

Morning: Psalms 120 – 123; Nahum 1:1-13; I Peter 1:13-25

Evening: Psalms 124 – 127; Zechariah 11:4-17; Matthew 19:13-22

Jesus does not demand celibacy of his followers.  Likewise, his command “to sell everything and give it to the poor” is not for everyone.  But it begs the question about what may be preventing us from being complete or holding us back from fully embracing who we are in the world.  Celibacy helps some people to devote themselves to God.  Others may find that something is preventing them from being free to serve … for the rich young man, it was his wealth.  Jesus is asking us to let go of anything that holds us back from being truly free.

We are one interconnected whole

Morning: Psalm 106:1-18; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17; I Peter 1:1-12

Evening: Psalm 106:19-48; Zechariah 10:1-12; Matthew 19:1-12

Carl Jung, famous 20^th century pioneer of psychology, taught of the close connection between sexuality and spirituality … We individual human beings are not separate compartments but one, interconnected whole – body, mind and spirit. Jesus’s teaching was similar.  His teaching about human sexuality – today, it is on divorce and adultery – has often been seen as purely moralistic. Jesus’ concern, though, was to help us understand that our decisions about how we use our body, or how we interact with the body of another, also deeply affect our own and the other’s mental and spiritual life.

Mercy depends on justice

Morning: Psalm 118; Isaiah 19:19-25; Romans 15:5-13

Evening: Psalm 145; Zechariah 9:9-16; Luke 19:11-27

Some Gospel passages seem so much at odds with the way we think of Jesus – full of mercy and compassion – that we have to delve into them more deeply.  Today, Reign of Christ Sunday, looks forward to a final fulfilment of justice on earth.  You cannot escape the fact that justice will mean hardship and suffering for those who try to subvert or escape justice.  Mercy does not contradict justice; mercy depends on justice.  In the many justice rallies across the world in the last 10 years, some have affirmed this with placards that declare: “No justice, no peace.”

By forgiving others, you heal your own soul

Morning: Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-13; Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 22:14-21

Evening: Psalm 33; Malachi 3:13 – 4:6; Matthew 18:21-35

You can easily forget how much you receive through the generosity of others, and then fail to be generous yourself.  Forgiving others is an act of generosity.  Jesus suggests that it will not go well with you if you receive forgiveness but fail to forgive those who offend you. It’s not that you will be literally tortured by the powers that be if you fail to forgive.  It’s that by holding onto anger and bitterness you will torture your own soul.  Genuine forgiveness comes from your heart; it probably heals your soul, too.

The value of one, the magic of two or three

Morning: Psalm 102; Malachi 3:1-12; Revelation 22:6-13

Evening: Psalm 107:1-32; Matthew 18:10-20

We are obsessed with big numbers as measures of value and success.  But do we know what is truly valuable or what ‘success’ really means?  To Jesus, every single human being is precious, full of unique treasure and gifts.  And, even in a group of only two of three people, amazing things can happen. For Jesus, just one lost human being merits a search party.  And where a few are gathered to learn and to fulfill his purposes, he is with them. That’s how Jesus started out, with a small group of companions … that’s how his work continues today.

Evolution by humility: becoming like children

Morning: Psalm 105:1-22; Malachi 2:1-16; Revelation 21:22-22:5

Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; Matthew 18:1-9

Jesus advocates fiercely for the vulnerable, especially children. If you mistreat a child, it will turn out badly for you … (imagine this stark picture) worse than if you were to have an enormous millstone hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea! For Jesus, if you mistreat a child, you deserve almost the harshest consequences imaginable. Moreover, we are to ‘become like children’.  Contrary to Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’, the qualities of humility that characterize children – acknowledgement of our weakness and vulnerability – are, for Jesus, the real signposts to a more highly evolved humanity, and a better world.

Free grace … could it really be free!?

Morning: Psalms 101; 109:1-130; Malachi 1:1-14; Revelation 21:9-21

Evening: Psalm 119:121-144; Matthew 17:22-27

People of faith may sometimes be confused about why they give … Is giving for maintaining the temple, or to buy services and special privileges from God or God’s minions?  No! Jesus is clear … the children of the king are heirs.  What they receive from the king – grace, love and mercy – are free; they cannot be bought.  This means they also give freely – for love and mercy’s sake – without obligation or hope of gain, as their own expressions of gratitude and love. Old habits die hard, though; that mostly commercial understanding of our relationship with God is deeply ingrained.

The power of two

Morning: Psalms 97, 99, 100; Habakkuk 3:1-18; Revelation 21:1-8

Evening: Psalms 94, 95; Matthew 17:14-21

Jesus is annoyed … the disciples forget to trust God.  Perhaps they act alone, trusting only in their own strength rather than leaning on others and on God.  So, it’s wise to wonder … Do I need help?  Our culture may value self-sufficiency, but when you join your gifts to someone else’s gifts, you will find that the power of two acting together is far greater than the power of two individuals working ferociously, but alone.  Now, when you join your strength to God’s? … well, that takes you into a realm where the ‘impossible’ now lies within your reach.

Our hunger for astonishment

Morning: Psalm 89:1-18; Habakkuk 2:1-4, 9-20; Revelation 20:7-15

Evening: Psalm 89:19-52; Matthew 17:1-13

The Gospels are full of astounding things that happen to Jesus and his disciples or are done by them.  Here on the mountain, Jesus’ face shines and his whole appearance becomes dazzling white; a voice speaks from a cloud to affirm Jesus, who then goes on to predict that he must suffer.  It’s all pretty overwhelming.  JK Rowling’s Harry Potter goes through similar astounding things and a few trials.  Given sales of the Bible and Harry Potter, we are hungry for astonishment and enchantment.  There is indeed much in our world to astonish and enchant us, if we pay attention.

Being faithful with a little can be amazing

Morning: Psalms 66, 67; Habakkuk 1:1-2:1; Acts 28:14-23

Evening : Psalms 19, 46; Luke 16:1-13

Jesus is very direct about our core values, because they are hugely important for our well-being … whether we are fulfilled in life or whether we use our gifts well.  He asks us to be honest about one thing in particular:  Whom or what do you serve – God or money?  Because you can’t do both.  This is Jesus’ fundamental and perennial question.  You can get lost serving and giving your allegiance to all kinds of little ‘gods’ – money is one.  Or you can serve something greater than yourself with the little you have … and that can be amazing.

Life is valuable only when you give it away

Morning: Psalms 87, 90; Joel 3:9-17; Revelation 20:1-6

Evening: Psalm 136; Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus says challenging things that most people don’t take seriously … He will suffer and be killed, but then be raised again. His followers must give their lives too. If you live for yourself alone, you waste your life; if you live in Jesus’ Way, you really live.  Maybe all this means … Your life is a priceless gift. When you don’t share it, your life shrinks.  When you serve something bigger than yourself, you might end up suffering sometimes for the truth, but fulfilment in life depends on living for a purpose greater than your own satisfaction. 

Why you hear me talking a lot about Jesus

Morning: Psalm 88; Joel 2:28-3:8; Revelation 19:11-16

Evening: Psalms 91, 92; Matthew 16:13-20

Yesterday, in case you wondered, I mistakenly offered you a reflection based on Matthew 6, not 16!  Back on track today …

The Christian Church is founded on St. Peter’s Confession that Jesus is “the Messiah, the son of the living God”.  ‘Peter’ means ‘rock’ … a solid foundation.  Based on Jesus’s next statement – “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven” – the Church has made proclamations that have turned out not to be true. Also, the Church’s many divisions cast doubt on all of its pronouncements.  The Gospel’s call is for the Church to return to its foundation, and to seek its unity and authenticity in Jesus.  That’s why you hear me talking a lot about him.

Giving and prayer … simply the way to live

Morning: Psalms 23, 27; Joel 2:21-27; Revelation 19:1-10

Evening: Psalms 85, 86; Matthew 16:1-12

Jesus teaches us to give quietly, suggesting it’s best to forget what you give.  If you give expecting thanks, you don’t really give.  Likewise, prayer is not a matter for pride … and to guard ourselves from pride, it is best done in secret.  In effect, then, generosity is not giving a lot but giving expecting nothing in return.  And prayer expects no admiration from others or special rewards from God.  Giving and prayer are just part of being fully human. Giving and prayer are simply the way to live.  And the way to live is … simply.

One earth-system … we’re in it together

Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Nehemiah 7:73-8:3, 5-18; Rev 18:21-24

Evening: Psalms 81, 82; Joel 2:12-19; Matthew 15:29-39

A local farmer and biologist spoke passionately last week and fed my soul … about growing good, nourishing food in ways that preserve and help regenerate the soil.  Unsurprisingly, this promotes the health of the whole earth. We live within one interdependent earth-system that some call ‘Gaia’; no part is independent of any other.  Realizing our interdependence … teaching about it … acting on this knowledge … these are practical and spiritual steps that earth needs us to take if she is to heal.  They came to Jesus for healing and regeneration; he fed them bread, fish and spiritual food.

The things that make for peace

Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Nehemiah 9:26-38; Revelation 18:9-20

Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; Joel 1:15-2:2; Matthew 15:21-28

Last night at the Harmony Centre in Owen Sound, over 30 people of different faiths came together around the theme: Making Peace.  We seemed to share a unanimous conviction that what makes for peace among different cultures and faiths is relationships, getting acquainted, being together in common cause, doing meaningful or just plain enjoyable things together.  Jesus, when asked by a Canaanite woman to heal her daughter, decided to step beyond his own culture and build bridges of peace.  Our conversation last night was an example of how rich and peace-making the meeting of cultures and faiths can be.

Do our external actions reflect our heart?

Morning: Psalm 80; Nehemiah 9:1-25; Revelation 18:1-8

Evening: Psalms 77, 79; Joel 1:1-13; Matthew 15:1-20

On Remembrance Day, how do you honour those who stood against evil as they understood it?  Remembering is a good start.  Silence helps.  Yet, if I dutifully attend the Cenotaph today, participate in acts of Remembrance, and then go home and mistreat my spouse or children, or pursue a path that is destructive to myself or others, my morning rituals were empty.  Jesus taught that we sometimes attend to external priorities while forgetting important matters of the heart.  To honour the souls I remember today, I must resist evil with my own life, and with all my heart pursue peace.

Sometimes those invited miss the feast

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Ezra 10:1-17; Acts 24:10-21

Evening: Psalm 34; Luke 14:12-24

Imagine you’re invited to a wonderful feast. There are a couple of reasons why you might not get to enjoy it … Either the host turns you away (very odd if she invited you!), or, you don’t show up.  Sometimes we think God turns away the ungrateful or unworthy as if in a fit of pique.  But with God, it’s more like … If you think you have something better to do and, as a result, miss life’s ‘feast’, that causes sadness, yes, but not anger. Others are invited and they will come.  And perhaps you will too, eventually?

Pray without ceasing … seek the Creator’s will

Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Ezra 9:1-15; Revelation 17:1-14

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; Matthew 14:22-36

St. Paul taught: “Pray without ceasing.”  Maybe he learned this from Jesus?  After 5000 were fed, before he stilled the storm, Jesus ‘went up on the mountain by himself to pray.’  He prayed before, during and after significant events in his life.  Jesus did not presume to act alone; he called on that Creative power from beyond human life whose will is done in us when we are open.  The Creator’s power is not for our own wishes or whims.  Which is why, taught by Jesus, we pray, “Your will (not ours) be done on earth” … and in us.

Ddefined by the power of love

Morning: Psalm 69:1-23, 31-38; Ezra 7:27-28; 8:21-36; Revelation 15:1-8

Evening: Psalm 73; Matthew 14:13-21

Some people are defined by what happens to them.  Others are defined by their response to what happens; they do not allow events to shape completely who they become, but who they are shapes their response to events. When he hears of the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, Jesus seeks solitude.  People still look for him, though.  And in the end, Jesus’s response to John’s death is that he shows compassion to those whose souls are hungry.  He chooses not to be defined by the power of death but by something far stronger ... the power of love.

And death shall have no dominion

Morning: Psalms 70, 71; Ezra 7:1-26; Revelation 14:1-13

Evening: Psalm 74; Matthew 14:1-12

Those who confront unrighteous power often fall victim to its violence … John the Baptist; modern day prophets too.  Last weekend, Paulinho Guajajara was murdered while protecting his indigenous people’s land and forest against illegal logging in the Brazilian Amazon.  John was murdered for demanding justice from King Herod.  Jesus was also killed by unrighteous power, but he rose to demonstrate that love and justice ultimately hold sway over the power of death. Love and justice overcome the power of death, as Dylan Thomas affirmed: “Though lovers be lost love shall not, and death shall have no dominion.”

Hometown stereotypes

Morning: Psalm 72; Nehemiah 13:4-22; Revelation 12:1-12

Evening: Psalm 119:73-96; Matthew 13:53-58

It’s hard to break free of the stereotypes people in your hometown form about you when you are young … “O, he doesn’t really fit in,” or, “She’s an academic nerd.”  What stereotype do you think they gave you?  People in Nazareth didn’t think Jesus was all that great a teacher!  Maybe he let hometown stereotypes affect him too much at first?  Maybe we do?  Maybe you can come to terms with what people think about you, though – or more importantly, what you think they think – and just get on with being yourself?  Jesus did.  So can we.

The pearl of great price; the one true treasure

Morning: Psalms 61, 62; Nehemiah 12:27-31, 42-47; Revelation 11:1-19

Evening: Psalm 68: 1-20, 24-36; Matthew 13:44-52

Pearls of wisdom are popular internet fodder; they help us make sense of things.  But for Jesus, there is only one true pearl, one real treasure, beside which everything else is as nothing.  That treasure is found in him.  We are vulnerable to injustice and lies and they will bring us to a bad end, like the rotten fish in Jesus’ parable. His Way is diametrically opposed to that. Jesus’ Way, grounded in ancient wisdom, is a startlingly new and vital path of justice and truth.  His call to follow him is urgent … our need is urgent.

The end will be like the beginning, only better

Morning: Psalms 56, 57; Nehemiah 6:1-19; Revelation 10:1-11

Evening: Psalms 64, 65; Matthew 13:36-43

I may have quoted here before Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428), affectionately known as “Teddy the Mop”?  He taught: the end will be like the beginning, only better!  There has been much speculation about ‘the end’, sometimes put on the lips of Jesus to give it validity.  To hear that the causes of sin will be rooted out and burned gives me hope.  To hear that all evildoers will be rooted out and burned and ‘the righteous will shine like the sun’ gives me the creeps.  (Who is righteous!?)  I’m sure Jesus taught that the end will be better than this.

Do first what is most important and satisfying

Morning: Psalm 24, 29; Nehemiah 5:1-19; Acts 20:7-12

Evening: Psalm 8, 84; Luke 12:22-31

Yesterday, I heard Stratford singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt say she is giving up music to devote herself to action on climate change and on the impact of technology on young people.  This is momentous. Life calls you to make big choices: based on what you believe is most important and also on your gifts; based on what the world needs most and also on what gives you joy.  There is a place of equilibrium between personal and collective well-being … Jesus says to focus your decisions – without anxiety – on finding that equilibrium, and good things will follow.

All Souls’ Day … so what is a soul anyway?

Morning: Psalms 42, 46; Romans 8:14-19, 31-39

Evening: Psalms 116, 121; John 14:1-6

Rhyl, where my mother lives in Wales, has an all-weather Shannon class waterjet-driven lifeboat ( https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet/shannon-class-lifeboat ); it races at 50 km/h to save people in distress.  Amazing boat!  More importantly, in British lifeboat stations, plaques record brave rescues; if sailors or lifeboatmen perish, a memorial might read: “… with the loss of 5 souls”.  A soul is a human life.  All Souls’ Day is for remembering life-giving human beings (like lifeboatmen, or like my sister-in-law Penny, who died 2 years ago today). Jesus says his way is the way to life for human beings, the life-giving truth we need.

All Saints’ Day … so what is a saint anyway?

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

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

A saint is one who is becoming contented with herself; she trusts that the earth is well made, too.  Wendell Berry (modern saint) says: “For God's sake, be done with this jabber of ‘a better world’. What blasphemy! No ‘futuristic’ twit or child thereof ever in embodied light will see a better world than this. Do something! … The day is clear and bright, and overhead the sun not yet half finished with his daily praise.” A saint sees and knows that everything we need is here already; he lives in celebration of and gratitude for such plenty, wanting nothing.

Hallowe’en … Not death, but life

Morning: Psalm 50; Nehemiah 1:1-11; Revelation 5:11- 6:11

Evening: Psalm 34; Wisdom 3:1-9; Revelation 19:1, 4-10

Christian and pagan traditions have melded into a very curious set of Hallowe’en customs, a prominent one being that the souls of the dead return for one night in the year, needing to be appeased by the living (“trick or treat!”).  This reflects humankind’s uneasy relationship with death.  The various mythologies we have created about death may perpetuate our uneasiness, since they mostly ignore the affirmation of faith, namely, the resurrection of the dead.  We quaintly hide our fear of death under cute costumes, while faith proclaims the renewal of all things … not death, but life.

Listening is so rare … but what a gift it is

Morning: Psalm 119:49-72; Ezra 6:1-22; Revelation 5:1-10

Evening: Psalms 148, 150; Psalm 48; Matthew 13:10-17

Listening is so rare!  John Fox writes: “When someone deeply listens to you it is like holding out a dented cup you’ve had since childhood and watching it fill up with cold, fresh water. When it balances on top of the brim, you are understood. When it overflows and touches your skin, you are loved … When someone deeply listens to you your bare feet are on the earth and a beloved land that seemed distant is now at home within you.”  Jesus laments our failure to listen well. He teaches and himself models the gift of truly paying attention.

How receptive am I?

Morning: Psalm 45; Ezra 5:1-17; Revelation 4:1-11

Evening: Psalms 47, 48; Matthew 13:1-9

When Jesus spoke to the crowds from the boat – “a sower went forth to sow” – they may have wondered, why is he telling us this? Or, what does this have to do with me? I’m a fisherman not a farmer!  Even so, perhaps they saw themselves in the different types of ground he was describing – rocky, thorny, fertile?  Perhaps they even realized that Jesus was wondering how receptive they were to him?  For that matter, how receptive am I?  Am I ready for something good to grow in me or am I still too hard and prickly?

Saints love God – so they can’t help but live well

Morning: Psalm 66; Isaiah 28:9-16; Ephesians 4:1-16

Evening: Psalms 116, 117; Isaiah 4:2-6; John 14:15-31

“If you love me you will keep my commandments.”  This is not Jesus being whiny, like, ‘Show me you love me … do as I say.’  It’s the other way around … ‘Love me and what I love and you will live well ... you won’t be able to help yourself!’  Today is St. Simon and St. Jude’s Day.  Jesus taught Jude that if anyone loves God, God will live in them and in their actions.  Saints don’t spend their lives doing good … they spend their lives learning to love God and what God loves.

Love and mercy begin with the person next to you

Morning: Psalms 63:1-11, 98; Haggai 1:1-2:9; Acts 18:24-19:7

Evening: Psalm 103; Luke 10:25-37

Paradoxically, human life gets lonelier the more people there are.  In the UK recently, where the population is nearly twice that of Canada, I found people often pass by without saying hello.  Jesus’s call to love our neighbour does extend to all.  But it’s helpful to realize that you can only relate in this moment to the person next to you … so you show mercy to them for now, then to the next one, one at a time - it doesn’t have to be all at once.  Love and mercy begin with the person next to you.

What we do springs from who we are

Morning: Psalms 30, 32; Ezra 4:7, 11-24; Philemon 1-25

Evening: Psalms 42, 43; Matthew 12:33-42

Telling children to “behave” is pointless if you don’t nurture them in an environment that embodies and fosters goodness.  So, when you say, “be good”, you point towards a more helpful path.  No-one becomes good by “doing good”; what we do springs from who we are.  In common speech, “be good” actually means “behave” or “do good”, but we cannot act outwardly in a way that is out of character with our being, which is our essential character.  Our actions flow from that.  Strong character >>> integrity.  Weak character >>> chaos.

On not cutting off our nose to spite our face

Morning: Psalm 31; Ezra 3:1-13; I Corinthians 16:10-24

Evening: Psalm 35; Matthew 12:22-32

Ever prune a tree and realize you’re about to cut the branch your ladder rests on?  Ever inadvertently clean a floor around yourself? Ever venture into danger with no escape?  When your actions destroy your future, your house is divided against itself.  Think of divisive rhetoric; or blaming others to save face; or minimizing the proven climate crisis.  Similarly, by cursing or turning away from God, you cut yourself off from the very source of your own nourishment and well-being.  Getting our act together as a society is being divided no longer – finding common cause.  We can do this.

Strength with gentleness

Morning: Psalm 37:1-18; Ezra 1:1-11; I Corinthians 16:1-9

Evening: Psalm 37:19-42; Matthew 12:15-21

A crocodile can crush its prey between its powerful jaws and teeth.  It can also carry one of its own fragile eggs between those same fearsome teeth and not break it.  Jesus exhibits great strength in confronting those who misuse power.  He also shows supreme gentleness in dealing with fragile souls, those whose spirits have been crushed or bruised by life.  Jesus combines strength with gentleness in pursuing justice. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”  But Jesus proves that strength does not mean violence any more than gentleness means weakness.

The first priority … mercy

Morning: Psalm 38; Lamentations 2:8-15; I Corinthians 15:51-58

Evening: Psalm 119:25-48; Matthew 12:1-14

“What’s my first priority?” asks a little inner voice.  It can get drowned out by louder voices clamouring for me to put them first.  ‘Pressing priorities’ and ‘deadlines’ may appear to be more important than they are.  Erma Bombeck wisely joked, “I love deadlines … I love the whooshing sound they make as they go by!”  When they pressed Jesus about the law, he responded, in effect, like Mr. Bumble in Dickens’ Oliver Twist, "If the law supposes that, the law is a ass—a idiot."  For Jesus, if our much-vaunted ‘priorities’ do not serve mercy, they should wait.

Something greater than wisdom

Morning: Psalm 26, 28; Lamentations 1:1-12; I Corinthians 15:41-50

Evening: Psalms 36, 39; Matthew 11:25-30

I used to pray most for Wisdom. Wisdom shows itself in loving actions.  Yet Wisdom comes from putting your trust in the right place.  “Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens … learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Even infants trust gentleness and humility because behind them is Love.  You can be wise like Solomon or intelligent like Einstein, but I am learning from Jesus … Now I pray more for Love, so that I may become truly wise.

The problem with this generation …

Morning: Psalm 25; Jeremiah 44:1-14; I Corinthians 15:30-41

Evening: Psalm 9, 15; Matthew 11:16-24

Yesterday, a (millennial) friend of mine lamented about ‘Baby Boomers’ in terms that echo Jesus: “To what shall I compare this generation?”  One, perhaps justifiable, caricature of Boomers is that they are ‘entitled’ – they get what they want, now!  Spiritual guide Bill Plotkin says many Boomers have not yet emerged from adolescence!  Such laments call for repentance, and that means action.  Our grandchildren’s future – post-millennials and beyond – requires the action of Boomers now to address the harms done by our generation’s excesses.  If we are ever to be called wise, Jesus is right, wisdom must be vindicated by her deeds. 

Rejoice at how precious you are

Morning: Psalms 148, 149, 150; Jeremiah 29:1,4-14; Acts 16:6-15

Evening: Psalms 114, 115; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

My mother has fairly serious dementia. There are poignant moments as I visit with her this week.  Mum asks, “Are you my son?” and apologizes that she doesn’t have a meal ready for me.  She says she’s “not much of a mother”!  Of course, I expect nothing of her; I only hope that she will sense how precious she is to me.  She no longer remembers the bumpy stretches of our relationship – I gladly forget them too!  When the disciples or we seek affirmation from Jesus, he only wants us to rejoice that we are precious to him.

Is it my expectations that need to change?

Morning: Psalms 20, 21; 2 Kings 25:8-12,22-26; I Corinthians 15:12-29

Evening: Psalms 110, 116, 117; Matthew 11:7-15

Your expectations shape your beliefs – If you think God should be like this and isn’t, or that God should act that way and doesn’t, you may think you don’t believe in God, whereas you just don’t believe in the ‘god’ your own mind created!!  In Jesus’ day, many expected the ‘Messiah’ would be a warrior, who would impose God’s will by the violent overthrow of the dominant Roman imperial power.  So, they rejected Jesus.  My expectations condition my responses to life’s events.  When I think events should happen differently than they do, maybe it’s my expectations that need to change?

You will receive power to speak truth

Morning: Psalm 103; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Luke 1:1-4

Evening: Psalms 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

Yesterday, my mother lamented, “Graham, I forget so much!” “Me too,” I said.  Given the failings of human memory, we are fortunate that Luke, whose day we mark today, wrote what he did … more than 25% of the New Testament.  Without his Gospel and Acts, we might forget what was accomplished by the power of the Spirit. But through his ‘orderly account’ of Jesus and the apostles, especially Paul, Luke reveals that the power of the Spirit to speak truth is available to us all … when we open ourselves to a power greater than our own. 

Jesus: turning the world right side up

Morning: Psalm 18:1-20; Jeremiah 38:1-13; I Corinthians 14:26-40

Evening: Psalm 18:21-50; Matthew 10:34-42

Jesus is often said to be turning the world upside-down.  When you are settled into a comfortable way of life, you don’t want that!  But what if the world is already upside-down?  We in ‘the West’ realize more and more that our way of life may cause suffering among those around the world whom Jesus calls our sisters and brothers.  So, what if Jesus’ work, using our hands, is to turn an already upside-down world right side up? … which may turn out to be dizzyingly uncomfortable for some of us.