Wednesday - April 24, 2024
Bob Shea
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 28.23
Give ear and hear my voice,
Listen and hear my words.
WORDS OF HOPE
In this Season of Eastertide, celebrating those 40 days the resurrected Christ walked among us, you are invited to meditate on imagining yourself in the role of one of Jesus’ close disciples recalling the still-fresh occasion of being with him and the others during the Last Supper.
There are men in the room who are older than you are and wiser, more experienced, who seem to know what to say in difficult situations. There are others who are simple fishermen who followed Jesus because they were invited by Him. For you, it has been almost three years now that you have been with Jesus and you wonder tonight what it was that first attracted you to him and the group that surrounded him? Was it just plain curiosity or a feeling of adventure? Remember how your friends thought that you had lost your mind when you told them that you were going to follow Jesus? But, somehow, deep down ... you knew that you really had to...that you really wanted to see what Jesus had to offer.
And what a three-year period it has been! You realize how you have grown to really admire this man from Nazareth. In fact, you have grown to love him in a way that is difficult to describe as all love is. You just feel totally at home with him...secure with him...in fact, you feel totally accepted by him even as you make dumb mistakes like the one in Galilee last week. You told him what had happened and apologized and he broke into a large grin. He told you it was okay and invited you to share in a piece of bread and a cup of wine that he had. Although the whole business is a bit crazy, you know that you are where you are supposed to be.
You turn to Peter who is on your left for some more wine and he passes you the jar as he tells you to help yourself. You really don't want to sleep while there is still a chance that Jesus will speak. You turn to your right now and look at Jesus and see that he is talking quietly with John who everyone knows is his best friend. He is talking too quietly to hear so you start talking with the others near you.
Suddenly there is a lull in all of the chatter that happened quite spontaneously, and Jesus looks around the room and smiles and you and the other smile back. Your heart begins to beat faster, and you are not sure why. As Jesus begins to speak you and the others shift your body position to see him better and in order to pay better attention to what he is saying to the group. Jesus is seated four people away from you to your right. He speaks:
“As my Abba has loved me,
so I have loved you,
live on in my love.
You will live in my love
if you keep my commandments,
even as I have kept my Abba's commandments,
and live in God’s love.”
His eyes were moving from one person to the other and you are struck when his eyes meet yours. The feeling you have is that he is speaking directly to you and as if there were no one else present in the room. He continues:
“All this I tell you
that my joy may be yours
and your joy may be complete
This is my commandment:
love one another
as I have loved you.”
PRAYER
Speak to me God, for your servant is listening. Amen
DEVOTION AUTHOR
Bob Shea
Cathedral of Hope / United Church of Christ
Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions
SCRIPTURE 2 Timothy 2. 22-25 So, flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting all opponents with gentleness. WORDS OF HOPE Feeling any youthful passions lately? Before images of The Blue Lagoon come to mind, the author of the pastoral letter addressed to Timothy was probably not writing about teenage love in a 1980 movie. Sometimes attributed to the Apostle Paul, 2 Timothy’s wise teacher is more likely using “youthful” in the context of “immature.” Regardless of our chronological ages, none of us is immune to immature behavior occasionally. This is true of myself anyway, because immature behavior is usually born of anger, and we live in a time when anger, outrage, and disgust are not strangers. That is the best reason to always have today’s Scripture’s brief words of advice on call in our cellphone notes, or even better, in our memories. We live in a Nation when politics and religion are frequently discussed, sometimes combined into one package, and anyone with definite viewpoints about either is usually labeled an extremist. It’s an atmosphere that “breeds quarrels” where opponents are immediately labeled pure evil and facts are often of no consequence, producing those “foolish, ignorant controversies” Timothy is warned to avoid. As much as most of us, and I am one, would prefer to completely avoid such confrontations, our commitment to the faith, love, and peace of Jesus should and must be voiced. But that is the point at which those “youthful passions” must be left behind in favor of an internal prayer prior to speaking: PRAYER Lord, remind me that I am your servant. Before I speak I. must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, and correcting my opponents with gentleness. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. WORDS OF HOPE A person I admire and model, Albert Einstein, always dared to imagine, think out of the box and view life with openness. His innate curious nature led him to ask “why” and challenge the norm on many levels. He was indisputably brilliant yet demonstrated a deep humanitarian desire to help others. During his life he witnessed immense poverty and injustice yet genuinely believed that a conscious person of value will give more than they receive. At a young age he challenged the rigid expectations of school where he refused to accept conventional wisdom. He famously said, “Blind respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” I can identify with Einstein! In high school when I would ask “why” regarding an injustice I witnessed, or questioned control from religious leaders, I was told to mind my tongue. They said my life would be challenging if I continued to ask questions and think out of the box. I vowed right then to constantly think “out” of the box and always maintain the courage to ask “why.” Einstein understood the laws of the universe though he also believed in a God beyond comprehension and valued the interplay of science and ethics. Jesus’ spoke of the divine reality that while accessible, still remained a mystery. Einstein used his influence to advance causes beyond physics, such as speaking out against racism in the United States, advocating for peace, and guiding generations of younger scientists through his teaching. His desire to expand humanities’ understanding of the universe was never driven by his need for personal acclaim. Jesus challenged religious authority, hypocrisy, social norms and confronted religious legalistic interpretations to stop oppression. Einstein, who vocally condemned militarism, and nationalism, believed questioning authority was more about choosing truth over tradition than rebelliousness for its own sake. He believed authority may demand obedience, but progress happens when someone dares to ask “why”. PRAYER God of ALL creation, as followers of Christ, let us continue to ask “why” and then be still to hear you answer. In Jesus name, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donna Jackson
SCRIPTURE Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. = As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. WORDS OF HOPE When I went to Baylor University, it was still a very Southern Baptist School. I was the only Jew on campus that first year and immediately became the target for every divinity student who was working on their “witnessing” assignments. I wish I had read this passage in the New Testament back then, I could have diffused their ardent efforts by claiming I was a Samarian. Today, as a Christian, I read this exhortation by Jesus through Jewish eyes and it is certainly not about making converts, it is about preaching and healing and doing good works. I think Jesus was not trying to build a church, but bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. That is a much bigger assignment than making converts or as the divinity students said, to “accept Jesus as my own personal savior.” I might have been more amenable to their message had they spoken about activism and benevolence, much like Jesus did. It took finding a church where Jesus words were taken as assignments to go out and make the world a better place before I considered converting. Strangely enough, the Rabbi who taught me as a young Jew, urged me to go out and make the world better, protest wars, end inequality and seek peace and reconciliation. It’s important to remember Jesus was speaking as a Jew, not a Gentile or Samarian. PRAYER May we hear the words of Jesus ring in my ears as we go forth to make our world better for everyone. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman
MODERN READING "God is not a Christian. God is not a Jew or a Muslim or a Hindu or a Buddhist. All of those are human systems which human beings have created to try to help us walk into the mystery of God." "I experience God as the source of life calling me to live fully, the source of love calling me to love wastefully, and the ground of being calling me to be all that I can be." - John Shelby Spong. - A New Christianity for a New World WORDS OF HOPE Recently in our small groups we have discussed how in the Rob Bell book “Velvet Elvis”, the idea of there being only one path to God might not be truth. The small group in which I participate has had this discussion on and off since we first started meeting. The late Bishop John Spong, who I sometimes referred to as a patriarch of progressive Christianity, has hit the nail in the head. God wants people live fully. God gave people life that they might live life abundantly as Jesus says in the Gospel of John. God is a mystery and we must walk towards an understanding of that mystery down a path that we can follow. And we need to be mindful of the fact that the path is of our choosing and in many ways of our making. We create systems to help us understand the way to God. All of them are valid if they lead to God‘s love. Any of them may have ways of proceeding to God that any of us might make of use on our journey to God. Instead of criticizing someone else’s path, perhaps we should look at it and say to ourselves that seems to be valid and say “I will try that”. So, if you find the rituals of liturgical churches bring you to God; follow that path. If in addition, you find that five specified times a day for prayer as in Islam; follow that path. And nothing and no one should tell you that you can’t do both. The three Abrahamic religions and Buddhism and Sikhism and Hinduism all have some provision for the ones who are less fortunate, those in need, those who hurt. That part of the path is not distinct, but is a commonality that could be a place for community. Prayer beads are used in many faith traditions; not just the Roman Catholic rosary that so many people think of when they think of praying with the string of beads. Buddhist, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and many branches of Christianity have some form of prayer beads available to them. And while they are all used somewhat differently and take different forms, there is again a common practice. So, I invite you to take a moment and look into some of the practices of other faith traditions; even of other Christian traditions. You may find something in there that speaks to you in a way that you had not thought possible. Search for the thing that helps you live life, fully and abundantly, as the Bible says Jesus meant for us to do. Whatever path you have chosen to follow to God, do not be so narrow-sighted that you cannot see and take advantage of the lights that others use to illuminate their path. PRAYER God of hope God of love, God of mercy God of light; help us on our path to reach You. Help us to understand that others may have a different path, but they too, are searching and working their way to You. And bless all of those who in peace and love are reaching out to You. DEVOTION AUTHOR Weber Baker Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clar
SCRIPTURE Acts 26:24-25 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable…” WORDS OF HOPE It is easy to be impressed with persons of quick wit and knowledge who can debate and discuss in any forum. Persons who can formulate an argument or response quickly to offer a counter to whatever is being proffered. People who have that ability are often admired for their capacity to “put someone in their place.” In the 26th chapter of Acts, Paul stands before Governor Festus and King Agrippa, sharing his own story and the hope of resurrection. Festus interrupts: “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” Paul’s response is calm and confident: “I am not out of my mind… what I am saying is reasonable and true.” Paul refuses to respond to this mocking with fear or insult. His witness is not about winning the debate but speaking the truth with grace and conviction. It’s boldness without bitterness. It’s composed and poised. Even while wearing chains in defense of his faith, Paul wishes for Agrippa the peace and knowledge that he has without the very shackles in which he himself is bound. Christian witness is not about winning arguments. That’s a faith of mind and not of the heart. Christian witness is about speaking truth with loving grace and heartfelt conviction. And speaking that truth not only with words, but with actions of love. We find ourselves in a time where argument and debate are honored above dialogue and conversation. Where winning is more important than relationship. How can we enter spaces with conviction and with love? PRAYER Lord, give us the courage of Paul—to speak with clarity, humility, and bold conviction even when others mock or misunderstand. Where we hesitate, soften our hearts. Where we shrink back, empower us. And like Paul, help us see even our hardest moments as opportunities to point others to true freedom in Christ. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 4:32- The words of the Apostle Paul “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” --The words of Jesus, The Gospel of John 13:34 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” WORDS OF HOPE “Coming Out” When you grow up in a family, culture and religion that doesn’t accept you as you are, you learn adaptive strategy to survive. I was 43 years old when I came out to my wife of 14 years whom I genuinely loved. She knew I struggled with depression, anger and people-pleasing, and it was obvious that she was unhappy both in our relationship and her role as a pastor’s wife. There was no “other person,” no “boyfriend” or lover, but that didn’t make it any less painful. Betrayal trauma comes in many forms. 24 years earlier, when I was in college, I met with the campus psychologist and told him I thought I was gay. He minimized my feelings—my reality—and pointed out how greatly my life would change if I were to follow that path. I didn’t speak of it again. I knew that I was called to some type of helping profession and explored teaching, psychology, emergency medicine, and finally answered a spiritual calling to attend seminary. I sought ordination as a pastor in the United Methodist Church, the church where I had grown up and fallen in love with God. At my first full-time appointment as pastor, I fell in love with the sister of the youth minister. She was beautiful, creative, diligent and I knew we could make a life together. We dated briefly, I asked her to marry me, and we sought premarital counseling to better prepare. I told the pastoral psychotherapist what I had only hinted about to my fiancé, that I thought I was gay. He laughed and told me that I was not gay. He said that all men sometimes have those feelings and that I needed to stay the course. I knew that I was called to be a pastor, that I wanted a companion for life’s journey, and that I deeply desired to be a father. I was 29 when we married. Our first son was born 3 years later. A second son followed 4 years later. I immersed myself in my work and achievement—the family and cultural ethic I had learned well. The bishop appointed me to larger multi-staff, multi-campus congregations. At times I sacrificed my family’s happiness on the altar of “pastoral ministry.” Being a “dedicated pastor” meant interrupting family vacations to officiate a funeral or tend to a staff crisis. It was an absurd ranking that went: “God first, others second, family and self last.” As if God was pleased with neglect. I recall arriving home one Christmas day, exhausted from conducting 7 worship services in the span of 24 hours. I was greeted by an equally exhausted and irritable wife and two disappointed sons wondering why they had to wait to open their presents. Merry Christmas indeed! I came out to myself at the same time I came out to my wife. My family, culture, and religion all said that I couldn’t be gay and be a Christian pastor so I continued to suppress my reality and identity following our divorce. That would come out sideways in angry mood swings. Years later, I left parish ministry to open a counseling and consulting practice. I was outed to my bishop and forced to leave the United Methodist Church [which has since abolished the prohibition of homosexuality in ministry]. Welcomed by the United Church of Christ, I continue to serve as a clinical pastoral psychotherapist and guest pastor/speaker. October 11 is National Coming Out Day. Authenticity is vital to human development and genuine relationship, and it comes at a cost. Situations and circumstances can make adaptation necessary. Homosexuality is much more than merely sexual orientation. It is about identity, creativity, empathy, connection, expression and grace. Yet, homosexuality is still a felony in some countries. What is the penalty for crushing the human spirit? In God’s realm, which Christ proclaimed, there is room for all. May it be so. PRAYER Come, Holy Spirit. Open our hearts and minds to what you have been doing for millennia: Using the diversity of creation and expression to weave a rich tapestry of life and the human experience. Grant us the courage, faith, hope and love to live peaceably in the realm you’ve created. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Gary Kindley Pastoral Psychotherapist drgk.org