Choosing the right time to do what you came here for

Morning: Psalm 88; Judges 9:1-16, 19-21; Acts 4:13-31

Evening: Psalms 91, 92; John 2:1-12

Jesus must show his hand at some point. The wedding-feast at Cana is that moment. Finally, though he resists his mother’s prodding, he asks them to fill the jars with water - and water becomes wine! Maybe some realize who he is already? Does his mother know? From here on, however, Jesus’s mission is set on its course towards Jerusalem, towards the confrontation he must have with the powers of darkness. In our own lives, too, there is usually a right moment in which we must respond to the nudge that says, ‘Time to do what you came here for.’

 

Walk while you have the light

Morning: Psalm 2, 24; Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Evening: Psalm 72; Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; John 12:27-36a

As a teenager, I loved walking down dark country lanes. Of course, the darkness was never complete. There was starlight to orient you. The Irish light a candle in a window to signify that the Christ-child and his family are welcome there; so, too, are other travellers. Christ, the light, guides us, keeps us from stumbling and is our companion on the way. Just one small light from a candle can pierce the deepest darkness. Christ is the light who overwhelms the darkness. You can walk by his light when all seems dark.

 

Transformed from one degree of glory to another!

Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Judges 7:19 – 8:12; Acts 3:12-26

(Eve of Transfiguration) Psalm 84; I Kings 19:1-12; 2 Corinthians 3:1-9, 18

When Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, many scientists and some Christians embraced evolution as entirely consistent with God’s ways. But the Church of England rejected evolution. It now intends to apologize to Darwin, 160 years later! St. Paul suggests that those who live in the freedom of the Spirit (which the Church may not always do!?) are being transformed from one degree of glory to another. We are part of a dynamic, ever-unfolding universe. Creation is even more wonderful than we thought then or think now. And there is still more to come!

God is in our midst ... Imagine!

Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Judges 7:1-18; Acts 3:1-11

Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; John 1:19-28

Sometimes I go along and do not notice the other people around me. Maybe I’m lost in thought or focused on something else. Today we begin a journey through John’s Gospel, which says the Word of God has taken human flesh and lives among us. Then John the Baptist calls Jesus, “One among you whom you do not know.” What an astounding thought ... that God is in our midst, and we didn’t know it. Imagine how the day would be if I went along expecting to notice God ... in you ... or you.

We cannot tell the importance of our own faithfulness

Morning: Psalms 28, 30; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7

Evening: Psalm 118; Acts 7:59—8:8

Today, the Church remembers St. Stephen, whom the apostles chose for a ministry of service. Stephen also preached; he declared that Jesus was God - this was blasphemy! No human being could be God. Stephen’s penalty was death. The shocking part is that Saul approved of Stephen’s killing - Saul who became Paul. The amazing thing is that Paul himself later died for faith in Jesus. Someone may argue against God, but you never know how their faith will turn out. Without Stephen’s faithful witness, we may not have a Church. Our own faithfulness is no less important than his.

Forgiveness is a two-way street

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Judges 6:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Evening: Psalm 34; Mark 3:20-30

Jesus says that those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit cannot find forgiveness. It is not that God is particularly upset about one particular kind of sin, nor that anything is unforgiveable for God. It’s that if you are in rough waters and choose to reject the lifebelt that someone throws because you mistakenly think they are trying to drown you, you will most surely drown. You cannot receive help from God if you think God wishes you harm. You cannot find forgiveness if you do not trust the one who desires to forgive you. Forgiveness is a two-way street.

Sent ... to be agents of God’s love in the world

Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Judges 5:19-31; Acts 2:22-36

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; Matthew 28:11-20

Jesus sends his apostles: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” Growing in faith and wisdom, we learn that God’s gifts are for enjoying, yes, and also for sharing. Self-focus cannot heal the world. In this pandemic, friendship and mutual service sustain and strengthen us. They also shape us as agents of God’s love in the world. I see that happening in our community. Returning to work, I anticipate eagerly the challenges into which God sends us in his strength. We are never alone. Onward, friends!