“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.