Daily Devotions and Podcasts

SCRIPTURE  Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? WORDS OF HOPE Have you ever seen those memes on social media about travel? They say something like: How many cities or states or countries have you been to? – or – Give yourself a point for every National Park you’ve visited – or – Are you a world traveler? How many countries have you visited? Then, you count how many places you’ve seen and either feel like you’re a real journeyer or that your passport is sadly bereft of stamps. Having been in youth ministry for 30 years, I wish there were a listing of places where you’ve served in a food ministry. That would be a list I could populate! Soup kitchens in New York City? Check. Food pantry in Denver? Check. Soup kitchens in Memphis? Check. Food banks in Houston, San Antonio, and North Texas? Check, check, and check. And let’s be sure to add Cathedral of Hope! Big check mark! The first Friday in September is designated as National Food Bank Day. A day that we raise awareness about hunger, honor the work of food banks, and kick off Hunger Action Month in the U.S. Throughout Scripture, God calls us to the ministry of feeding the hungry. From Isaiah 58, where we are called to connect faithful worship with caring for those in need, to Matthew 25, where Jesus reminds us that when we feed the “least of these,” we are ministering to Jesus himself, the message is clear. In Luke 9 and Matthew 14, Jesus commands his followers, “You give them something to eat.” We give thanks to God for the ministries of Food Banks in our state and throughout the world. This tireless ministry of recovering, sorting, and distributing food is essential in hard economic times as well as times of plenty. Food ministries of all shapes and sizes, faith-based and otherwise, recognize that what they have to offer isn’t enough to alleviate food insecurity throughout the world, but they work tirelessly to do what they can in the many places where they are found. God does not want us to look inward to hide from the injustices of the world, particularly the injustice of food insecurity. Instead, She calls us to look outward, move close to the suffering, and actively meet the physical needs of others. Meeting physical needs – food, shelter, and clothing – is tied directly to honoring God. We must continually ask ourselves this: In what way can I honor God with a generous portion of my time, ability, and resources to meet the needs of a hungry soul? PRAYER Gracious God, open our eyes to those who hunger and our hearts to your call to share generously from the abundance of our time, gifts, and resources. Give us the courage to move toward those in need, remembering that whenever we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and care for our neighbors, we honor and serve you. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

SCRIPTURE Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; God will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.  WORDS OF HOPE In these sun-scorched days of a Texas summer, I have had the opportunity to take more indoor time than usual for meditation and reflection; more time to spend in peace, listening; hearing what thoughts God may send my way. What I’ve found true for myself is that my inner peace, health, and happiness have been much better than I might have predicted. I’ve thought a lot about not only my relationship with the Divine, but with others. The biggest truth is that my relationships: friends, extended family, are not just the people I share time with. They’re also my internet counsel and my foundation for the business of life. I can hear their affirmation, advice, and suggestions for guidance but it all circles back to me and what makes me happiest in the end. And if I’m honest; if we’re all honest, what matters at the end of the day is how we feel and how others make us feel. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was “never let somebody else put out your pilot light.” So, I have to be myself; do the things that make myself ME. My life has often been about resolving problems and restoration. I’ve learned that closing the door on a problem can’t resolve it. Worst of all, closing the door on someone I have a problem with creates unfinished business that could haunt me the rest of my life. Our job is to resolve our issues; strive for the best without expecting perfection. As an artist, I know when the art is finished but I’ve been taught one basic rule about it; never be content that it’s the best. Grow. Do better. Do your best and, as one of the four agreements says, your best is different every day. Your mood, health, and situations can alter what your best is. It’s often a personal choice, other times a programmed response. Relationships with both God and humankind are personal. Only you can know when your connection with God is genuine. Only you can know whether someone is the best match for you. Jobs may also be personal. Only you know whether a job you have works toward fulfilling you. Perhaps you’re asking, is it the best match for my potential? My life, of course, is personal. Only I can live my life. It’s not about how often I can please others or meet everyone’s expectations. It’s about sharing my light and dreams and hope... and some of those days it’s about lighting someone else’s pilot light or perhaps ‘turning up’ the burner! What aspects of your life are making yourself YOU today? What relationships, both human and Divine are giving you peace or nurturing your growth? You might find yourself having a little extra time to relax, be quiet and listen. What guidance is being whispered by God to you today? PRAYER Help me to know that your guidance for me is always available, always present, to strengthen my spirit. May I learn to be silent, to be at peace and to listen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare