The humanizing effect of reconciliation

Morning: Psalm 50; Exodus 34:1-17; I Thessalonians 2:13-20

Evening: Psalms 114, 115; Matthew 5:21-26

Murder is a terrible act of violence ... but it does not come out of the blue. There is a violence of the mind and heart that nurtures anger towards another; there is a violence of speech that damages another’s dignity; there is a violence of contempt towards another that demeans their humanity. All this violence is inherently deadly, because it dehumanizes and devalues life. The astounding thing about Jesus’ teaching on this is that if someone treats you with such violence, it is you who should seek reconciliation with them! For to return violence for violence dehumanizes you more.

Healing - restoration from isolation to community

Morning: Psalms 97, 98; Proverbs 8:22-30; John 13:20-35

Evening: Psalm 145; John 5:1-12

 

Some of us feel quite isolated after 8 weeks of physical distancing. Imagine a disabled man so isolated for 38 years that there had been no-one to help him at the right time. Perhaps the miracle for him that was as important as his physical healing was that finally someone paid attention to how alone he was. His healing calls us to pay attention to why some people (even we ourselves?) become cut off from others, and, more importantly, what they (or we) need in order to be restored to community. Restoration from isolation to community is the true healing.

Morning: Psalm 45; Exodus 32:21-34; I Thessalonians 1:1-10

Evening: Psalms 47, 48; Matthew 5:11-16

What could these metaphors mean ... salt for the earth, light for the world? Well, there are lots of tasteless values governing our lives; plenty of darkness, too. Maybe one way to think about what Jesus means by salt and light is to imagine the world without either! Both salt and light promote health and life, growth and flourishing of every kind. So, to be a person who brings health, life, growth and vitality to where they live ... maybe that’s the goal? And remember, you only need a little salt and light to make a big difference.

May the Fourth be with you!

Morning: Psalms 41, 52; Exodus 32:1-20; Colossians 3:18-4:18

Evening: Psalm 44; Matthew 5:1-10

I cannot resist a Star Wars reference today. But think for a minute about ‘the Force’. Isn’t ‘the Force’ the Spirit of God? The Spirit is available when you are open. You are most open - and, therefore, most blessed, says Jesus - when you: ... are at the end of your rope ... have lost something dear to you ... accept who you are ... are in balance in your inner world ... cooperate rather than compete ... people persecute you for being who you are. By being vulnerable, you open yourself to the infinite power of the Cosmos.

Come away and rest awhile ... receive compassion

Morning: Psalms 63:1-8, 98; Exodus 28:1-4,30-38; I John 2:18-29

Evening: Psalm 103; Mark 6:30-44

You plan to take time out from busy activity and rest, and you should ... but some need arises, and you think you should change your plan. After all, Jesus was going away for a quiet time of rest with his disciples. Then a crowd gathered and, ‘He had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd’. Jesus let compassion lead. But you are not Jesus; you are a disciple. There are times when you must rest and allow yourself to receive the compassion and nourishment that Jesus offers ... receive, so that later you can give.

Called into new ways of equity and justice

Morning: Psalms 30, 32; Exodus 25:1-22; Colossians 3:1-17

Evening: Psalms 42, 43; Matthew 4:18-25

What makes people give up lucrative and attractive lifestyles in order to follow callings that serve integrity, honesty, faith, hope and love? With Jesus, it was his remarkable acts of healing. He called fishermen to invite people out of darkness into light - like fish drawn up from dark depths into the daylight. A new calling is beckoning to millions these days; it holds the possibility of profound healing for the Earth. Coronavirus reveals afresh the dark old ways of inequity and injustice; a renewed humanity is called into new paths of equity, justice, light and life. Let it be!

Workers of the world … let faith be seen in action

Morning: Psalm 119:137-160; Job 23:1-12; John 1:43-51

Evening: Psalm 139; John 12:20-26

Some talk about the faith, reason about it, and convince people of its validity. Others are more inclined to show their faith in what they consider practical actions. Saints Philip and James, whose day it is today, are practical apostles. When Nathanael and ‘some Greeks’ are curious about Jesus, Philip gets cracking and sets up a meeting. For James, the quality of faith is measured by actions that bear it out. Perhaps it is only a coincidence that Philip and James share their day, May 1^st, with the various celebrations of workers around the world, but it is fitting.