Wednesday - April 24, 2024

SCRIPTURE Revelation 21.4 God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. WORDS OF HOPE Beauty for Ashes Pain was essential to my life. I was birthed through pain. It was my mother’s sacrifice which yielded fruit. Without loss there is no life, but what is lost? Certainly, her own body became my vessel; this revealed that the seed of life was inside her: life inside life. When I was born, I was a life in a life still within the biosphere known as Earth. I am composed of the materials found in Earth. When I drink water, I observe rivers in myself. Dirty water in turn pollutes me, so when I hurt the source, I hurt myself. That is not to say that water is my source, but that all life which is connected to water or all life which is in relationship to water is connected. All pain flows through your river for we all drink from the same source. Do not reject the water because it has pain in it. You need the pain to grow. It will nourish you with wisdom, patience, endurance, a greater appreciation for love, and understanding all the more. These words will not be simple, but everything has a purpose. Without bitterness, would I know sweetness? Without sorrow, would I know joy? Without darkness, would I know light? I know this: that I am who I am not just because of the good experiences, but because of the bad ones also. When I jumped in the water it was cold, but I learned how to swim. Soon my body adjusted, and the water did not seem cold any longer. It was not the water that changed, but I. The discomfort that I experienced from the cold water was the bridge to swimming. The cold then, was not my enemy, but the door. Likewise, pain is not the enemy, but the doorway to life fully experienced. PRAYER Please God make me wiser. Help me not to resent the pain, but to give thanks in all things with a genuine heartfelt appreciation. Heal my heart Lord and take the sorrow, anger, regret, hatred, bitterness, and all manner of sickness. Turn my weeping into shouts of joy. Let me say, “The Lord has given me beauty for my ashes”. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order of St. Francis and St.Clare

SCRIPT URE Luke 10:36-37 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” WORDS OF HOPE Much has been written about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We find that when an expert on the law tries to give Jesus a religious litmus test, he finds himself not only being compelled to understand what neighbor means, but to live the parable as well with the words “Go and do likewise”. We learn from Jesus to redefine neighbor as anyone in need, rather than the proximity of people in your own community. In a recent reading of someone’s commentary on the Good Samaritan, I found something I had not considered before. Not only does this parable teach us about ourselves and how to respond to those on the margins, but also that this parable might be talking about the nature of God as well. For those on the margins, for those who need light and life, for those who search for food and justice, God has no limits on love. That when it comes to those on the margins, God isn’t afraid to use communities of people who are non-religious or perhaps even antithetical to religious communities. If the church won’t work for these things, then God will find other communities that will. A 2019 University of California study suggested that atheists and agnostics are far more willing to help other people than those who identify themselves as religious. The study suggests that atheists are driven by emotions, such as compassion, as opposed to religious people, who may be more influenced by "doctrine, a communal identity, or reputational concerns." It further suggests that even though atheists tend to be less trusted, they may actually be more inclined to help their fellow citizens than more religious people. The parable is called Good Samaritan. The story is more than a description of a spirituality that leads one to be empathetic. It is also an assessment of religious inaction. The Samaritan, reviled and marginalized, is called ‘good’ not for any other reason than that he had mercy. The priest and Levite, members of the establishment, are vilified not because of their faith system, but because they had no empathy. PRAYER Lord Christ, So open our eyes that we might see what the Good Samaritan saw. Grant us the insight to see the need in others, the wisdom to know what to do, and the will to do it. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4.29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. WORDS OF HOPE A long time ago I took a course in ancient Greek. I can’t remember exactly why in the world I would want to learn about it other than I was in need of learning to read and understand the Scriptures in their proper context, whatever that is. In the end I had a much better understanding of how the phrase “It’s Greek to me?” began. What I do remember is that Jesus spoke a language, more specifically a dead Hebrew variant language called Aramaic. It’s been described as sort of proper Hebrew with a cockney accent, the peoples’ language. It’s easy to understand why some of his fellow Hebrews had a hard time understanding him, if at all. More important, I find it an interesting study that we can presume so much context from what he said, from a language that is mostly consonants. This gives a whole new meaning to the other phrase that comes to mind, “words are cheap.” After all, there are still so many things left to conjecture in our modern understanding of biblical messages, but more specifically the stuff that Jesus is said to have said.. We’ve managed to try to understand the context of living in those times 2000 years ago. But I know even if I had a time traveling DeLorean, I don’t know that I would really want to live in those days. The thought really kind of scares me. I would imagine that if those people living in the biblical age could have a glimpse at our world, they would be equally frightened if not mortified at how we use and misuse their words. As an author, I’ve come to understand that we want to convey our stories in the most precise manner we can; not too many words, not too few words, but just the right amount to convey an idea close to what’s in our brains as possible. Easy? No. Communication + proper context is vital. The idea makes me yearn for context and truth and to discover for myself not just what the Bible says but how these words survived to begin with. All this to say, the greatest lesson I’ve learned is to choose my words wisely. I don’t often do that. I would like to but so much of my personality is about shooting from the hip. It’s a trait that I often want to go back and re-edit, but that’s how I learn. It makes me wonder if the ancient scripture writers would like the chance to re-edit their Greek or even Aramaic words for clarity their meaning to our generation. In reading the Bible in whatever translation I can understand today, I’m left with that thought. Choose your words wisely! Then ask yourself, “How will my words survive beyond today?” PRAYER Colossians 4.6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE John 16:33 I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world. WORDS OF HOPE Five weeks this side of total knee replacement I have hit a raggedly painful point in physical therapy. And with it so many things have piled on: the awareness of how powerfully the mind, body, emotions, and spirit are taxed by major surgery and the experience of post- surgical brain fog, sleep deficit, fatigue, and vulnerability. Although I have made great strides since the end of March, sometimes I wonder what land I’m in. So it’s no wonder that the phrase “Take Heart!” has come to me now. Deriving from the Old French corage or Latin cor, meaning heart, it’s the cry to draw courage from the core of who we are. Yesterday, while in the throes of my own pain, I was moved to cast the net of prayer out for those close and far away whose lives are filled with sorrow and loss, chaos and catastrophe and extend the cry for them: For my beloved community members who are experiencing complicated surgeries of family members, death and grief, fears for their adult children, and serious illness, take heart! Know that you are held in love. For the Israelis desperate for their loved ones still held hostage to be returned safely home and for the Palestinians suffering from relentless battle trauma, malnutrition, and the death of their children, take heart! For those like Anthony Blinkin and other diplomats working with every fiber of their being for peace, take heart! International forces are mobilizing. For those in Oklahoma and Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa whose homes and communities have been leveled by tornados and whose hope is battered, take heart! In neighbor outreach and official aid, help is on the way. For all those across the country barred by punitive laws from needed health care, take heart! Many resist injustice on your behalf and are working for your care. For those whose values and personal integrity have urged them to speak the truth in personal relationships, in the workplace, the political arena or in campus protests, take heart! May the truth set us free. For those who look at the political and religious spheres filled with hatred and division and despair, take heart, and summon the courage to take one small step to bridge the divide in love. And you, O God, who must look at your world and weep to see the damage we have done to nature and to each other, take heart! There is much good in us yet and a new generation yearns for repair, justice, shalom. PRAYER “Ignite [our hearts], O God, with courage to resist/ to tend the fires of love and peace where hate and fear persist.” DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon

SCRIPTURE Psalm 37:1-2 Do not fret because of the wicked; for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like a green herb. WORDS OF HOPE We live in a world of anxiety. The arguments of others, social media, 24/7 news, all wash up against our lives and fill our minds with fearsome possibilities. Coupled with the genuine uncertainties of economic security and health dangers, the effect can wear on one's nerves, disturbing (or destroying) any sense of well-being or real purpose for life. "Fret not" is such a simple admonition for better living, but the word itself denotes the real danger in such a response to adversity. To fret means to allow something to "eat, gnaw at you, to agitate or irritate you by continuously rubbing and wearing you down". That's exactly what this constant fearsome barrage does, it wears down your mental and physical strength and robs you of peace. But equally important, it attacks your spiritual well-being! Such continuous wearing against your mind fills it with worry and fear which clouds your attention to a healthy relationship with God. The verb "fret" is an active verb. "Do not fret" means don't allow your mind to become so enmeshed in these negative events that they are self-destructive to your well-being. This doesn’t mean we should ignore what’s happening around us or shut ourselves off from the world. We must choose to hear, but not be consumed by these events of life. They don't have to be given power to wear you down. The Psalmist reminds us of why we should not allow ourselves to allow negative energy to overtake us. The antidote resides in the Spirit of the Psalmist, the power of prayer and our openness to hearing God’s words of comfort, eternal love and of peace. Stay strong with God! PRAYER Lord, open my eyes to behold your ancient words of wisdom which, even in today's world, will instruct me in the way of living which you desire for me. May it always be so! Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare