When you find humility, you won’t know it

 

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

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

In hospital chaplaincy work, I befriended leaders of many faith communities. One in particular was Imam Jamal, of London Muslim Mosque. He invited Mona and me one evening to dinner and a film at the mosque. We sat at the back, but as the room filled, Jamal came and invited us to sit up front at his table. We had not been trying to be humble, but what happened seemed to echo Jesus’s teaching. Trouble was, I began to feel proud at how humble I had been!! Oops! Start again, Graham! Remember, when you find humility, you won’t know it.

Our own soul’s echo of God’s holy longing

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

Evening: Psalm 73; Luke 13:31-35

German writer, Johann Goethe, in his poem, Holy Longing, wrote: “Tell a wise person, or else keep silent, because the mass man will mock it right away ... So long as you haven't experienced this - to die and so to grow - you are only a troubled guest on the dark earth.” God’s holy longing is that we might no more be ruled by deathly powers. Our willingness to die to those powers (hatred, selfishness, greed ... the list is long), and so to grow, is our own soul’s echo of God’s holy longing. Thus to die is to live.

No better option

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

Evening: Psalm 74; Luke 13:18-30

Many people want to come to Canada, as I did 44 years ago today. Canada has strict requirements, though. We want skilled immigrants, to help grow this nation. Jesus’s parables tell about God’s ‘nation’ or ‘kingdom’, growing worldwide from tiny beginnings. Everyone is welcome; the entrance requirements are not as selective as Canada’s. But you must give God’s ‘kingdom’ priority now and not wait. You know ... like folks who cannot commit to dinner on Friday because they ‘don’t know what they are doing that day’ - meaning, they were hoping for a better option! There is no better option.

 

Too pious for their own good

Morning: Psalm 72; Revelation 16:1-11

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

I remember, during childhood, noticing a woman who was seriously bent over. She probably had a spinal ailment. Imagine not being able to stand up. A religious leader criticized Jesus for healing a bent-over woman on the Sabbath. Jesus said the leader was misguided ... There is never a wrong day to set someone free from affliction. And for the sufferer, today is always the right day to be set free, whether it is the Sabbath or not. Sometimes, religious people can be too pious for their own good, or anyone else’s.

 

Opportunity and extra help to bear fruit

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

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

Some of you know I want snow so I can test my new snowblower! As I read the operator’s manual, I learn there are things I must do to avoid damage to the machine or myself. The Gospel makes similar observations about life ... it’s like: “wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance, or you know what may happen” ... God points us toward fruitful living. Many assume the vineyard owner in the parable is God, but isn’t God the gardener giving the fig tree an opportunity and some extra help to bear fruit? Us too?

 

What on earth will happen tomorrow?

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

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

 Who is not concerned about the U.S. election tomorrow? This is a crisis moment, not only for America but, for everyone. Great upheavals demand more than neutrality from people of faith, too. Jesus said, “I come to bring fire upon the earth”. Following him means discerning deeply about what his Way demands. It will mean disagreements, even with other people of faith. Jesus’s Way is not likely to be cozy or comfortable in these times. Black Lives Matter and Climate Action protesters shout: “No Justice, No Peace!” The prophet Micah helps to clarify: “Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly ...”

 

Saints ... Those who hold onto the vision

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 wonder of the Bible is its vision that we are headed towards a new creation. Our present reality will give way to something brighter, something better, “new heavens and a new earth”. The vision gets articulated in many different ways. If you hold the vision, not only by watching it from afar, but by doing your best to live it, here and now, you are one of the ones called ‘Saints’. You keep your eyes on that vision, your feet moving towards it, and your hands busy working for it. Me? “Lord, I wanna be in that number ...”!