Scripture

They all ate and were satisfied...  Luke 9:17

A Word of Hope 

Let’s party!  The more, the merrier!  Or is it?  The disciples did not share that notion in this passage from Luke’s Gospel.  Jesus and his disciples were retreating from the crowds, hoping for some rest and quiet to mourn the death of John the Baptist, but that was not to be.  The crowds followed them to Bethsaida.  Rather than turning the people away, Jesus welcomed each of them.  He spent hours sharing stories of the Kingdom of God and healing those in need. 

As the day went on, the disciples suggested to Jesus that those gathered should be encouraged to be on their way as it was coming to the close of day and they needed to find food and shelter.  Jesus disagreed, telling the disciples to find food to offer the “party-ers.”  Somewhat reluctantly, they managed to find five loaves and two fishes, reporting to Jesus that that certainly was not enough with which to feed the assembled multitudes.  Jesus instructed the disciples to arrange the people into groups of fifty.  He then took the loaves and fishes and offered thanks for them and began breaking the bread and filling basket after basket of food for the disciples to carry to the guests.  Everyone in attendance was fed, five thousand men plus the women and children.  In the end, after all of the followers were well fed, twelve full baskets still remained…perhaps one for each disciple?

This story is probably the most well-known of the miracles that Jesus performed.    It is also the only miracle story that is included in all four of the Gospels; it seems fair, then, to assume it to be of marked significance.

This miracle was a lesson to the Disciples of Christ back then and is also to those of us today who are called to be disciples.  The crowds that followed the disciples and Jesus to Bethsaida already had faith.  They believed in the power of Jesus.  Why else would they have followed him?  This story is not about them.  It is about the disciples who, as is often the case, were the ones lacking in faith.  They recognized the peoples’ need for food, but felt that they did not have any means by which to provide.  Had they been left on their own, most would have been left hungry that evening.

How often do we find ourselves in a similar situation to the disciples in this story?  How often do we see a need or feel a call and our first response is that we don’t have enough – physical, emotionally, or spiritually – of what it takes to make a difference in the situation so we turn away and choose to do nothing?  We feel that who we are and what we have to offer is not enough.  Our lack of faith leads us to all too easily forget that all things are possible with God.

We also forget that in God’s eyes we are enough and we have enough just as we are to do the work that God calls us to do.  This potential is fully realized if and when we surrender our all, our complete selves, no matter how big or small, how strong or fragile, to God in faith.  God can and will do marvelous and wonderful things with us and through us.  And, just like God did with the loaves and fishes, God will multiply our offerings and in the end will bless us with an abundance of spirit. 

Prayer

Oh God who has blessed me with all that I have and all that I am, give me the faith to believe that I am enough and the courage to give all that I am and all that I have to you. 

Amen.

Devotion Author

Kris Baker
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’”    Matthew 25:37-40  (The Message)

A Word of Hope

                                                           “What I Have to Offer”

You need not live in Texas long to learn that Texas’ weather can be strong stuff.  Hurricanes, tornadoes, dust storms, hail storms, ice storms, snow storms and thunder storms—to name a few. Some seem almost on the scale of science-fiction than actual fact.  Were some cosmic, time-warp storm ever to occur (and this is Texas so I’m not saying it can’t happen) and I got swept into the vortex, dragged back to the first century and transformed into a Roman soldier, I would want to be a soldier like Martin of Tours.

William Barclay, the great Scottish biblical scholar, reports that Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who was also a Christian.  According to an ancient story, Martin was entering a large city on a cold, blustery day when he passed a beggar who was begging for alms.  The soldier had no money, but he saw that the man was shivering from the cold and so he gave him what he had.  He took off his soldier’s cloak, which had become worn and frayed, cut it in two and gave half of it to the man.  That night, Martin had a dream.  His dream took him to a heavenly place where he saw countless angels.  As the crowd of angels parted, he saw Jesus, standing there in half of a soldier’s coat.  One of the angels inquired of Jesus, “Lord, why are you wearing that battered cloak?  Who gave it to you?”  Jesus answered softly, “My servant, Martin, gave it to me.” (William Barclay. “The Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew.”  Edinburgh: Saint Andrew Press)

I have never had a million dollars in my bank account, but I cannot recall a time when I have not been wealthy in blessings.  I may not be able to do everything to help a hurting world, but I can do something.  I have sometimes thought that what I have to offer doesn’t matter that much, but I now know that it can mean the world to someone I may never know.

Being Christian is to bear witness to Christ’s love, mercy and fidelity, and in doing so we draw closer to the Christ we seek to know.

Prayer

This Lent, O God, may I re-evaluate who I am and what I have to offer as a person who bears the name, Christian.  Amen.

Devotion Author

Rev. Gary G. Kindley, D.Min. 
Pastoral Counselor 
CCIAdallas.org

Readings

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin God does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.  When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Proverbs 18.2

A Word of Hope 

Both Testaments of the Bible combine their efforts to give us 24 sayings, definitions, and warnings about foolish people. Since it’s April Fool’s Day, I should say now that I’m only kidding, but I’m not. Foolishness is not unique to our generation.

My favorite definition of a fool is in the Proverb above; ancient words, but timeless. How many times have you been in a conversation with a person or group who, somewhere in the middle of your statement, give you the distinct impression that they don’t have any regard for what you are saying? They are simply waiting for you to take a breath long enough for them to begin a soliloquy of their own packaged opinion. I believe that most of us have not only experienced, but also participated in this kind of foolishness. Biased opinions are unrestrained in our generation and none of us is immune to delivering those monotonous monologues.

The irony of many of our strong opinions is that they actually are not our own. They have been indoctrinated into our subconscious by some forgotten childhood preacher, corrupt politician, unethical advertiser, or devious pressure group. Innumerable opinions are imbedded obscurities with forgotten origins. The great enigma of our era is the TV newscaster’s opinion we legitimize as our personal gospel. You know the one. The assessment read by a detached professional newsreader written by a writer who doesn’t believe it either, who had been hired by a reluctant employee of an organization under the conglomerate owned by…I would be a fool to continue. It’s your adamant personal opinion. The original source is irrelevant. You own it.

April Fool’s Day is a day we play jokes on others, but so often we ourselves are the joke. We are also in the middle of Lent, a good time of year to refrain from being foolish in our opinions. Convictions matter, but the sources of our convictions matter more.

Prayer

God, we ask that you bless the good we have accomplished and also forgive the wrong that we have done. Have mercy on us, open our hearts and change our lives.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

May I refrain from being foolish today. May my deepest convictions be tempered by your standards and guided by your love.

Amen.

Devotion Author

Dan Peeler
Minister for Children and Families
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin God does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.  When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to You.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but God’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in God.

Rejoice and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!   Psalm 32

A Word of Hope 

The Book of Psalms in the Hebrew Bible is divided into five sections.  Each section closes with a Benediction before moving forward to the next section.  The overriding theme of the whole Book of Psalms involves praise for God’s providence, power, creation and deliverance for Israel.  

Psalm 32 shows up in the section that is called “The Writings” and, while not all the Psalms are written by David, it is believed that this psalm is among the 73 that were.

In this Psalm, David worships God and speaks of God’s benevolence and grace in the blessing of forgiveness.  He gives God honor and thanks for not counting his sins against him and speaks of the importance of confession, repentance and forgiveness.

We are in the season of Lent.  It is a season of preparation and, for Christians, it is marked with prayer, fasting and, perhaps the most popular act, giving something up.

Lent is a great opportunity to take personal time to go deeper into our spiritual life.  Through prayer, additional acts of service, fasting and study, we make ourselves right with God in preparation for the Great Sacrifice made for humanity as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter.

For many, this includes a time of personal confession, confessing our sin directly to God or, as some prefer to a minister.  Regardless of how it works for us individually, we come to confession with the sure knowledge of a God who forgives and is both ready and willing to hear us, not from a place of judgement or shame or guilt, but with a loving embrace.  It is offered freely and with a hearty dose of love that ends with words of freedom, “God’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in God.  Rejoice and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

As we move through Lent toward Easter, may we make our confession to God, letting go of the things that weigh us down, steal our joy, and prevent us from being truly free.  Let us make ourselves ready to echo the words of David, to rejoice and be glad.

There is no better time than now!

Prayer

God, we ask that you bless the good we have accomplished and also forgive the wrong that we have done. Have mercy on us, open our hearts and change our lives.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Siblings in Christ, hear this Good News: the love of God is beyond measure, and you are included in that love. Know that you are forgiven and thus freed to love and serve.

Amen.

Devotion Author

Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares- Thomas
Senior Pastor
Cathedral of Hope Dallas

Scripture

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12.2

The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8.6

A Word of Hope 

Whether you’ve given up something for Lent or went full-Protestant and gave up….Lent for Lent, this time between winter and spring, between the suffering and the Resurrection of Jesus, still remains a season of reflecting on a season for releasing what is old and embracing the new.

Perhaps the most easily overlooked, but crucial, area for us to consider such changes is in our thoughts.

For every moment of our waking hours, we are inundated with messages. We receive them from our spouses, partners, families, friends, workplaces, everyone we encounter throughout the day, and a staggering amount of marketing and advertising. According to Forbes, almost $250 billion will be spent on advertising and marketing this year and that most Americans are exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 ads per day. Each ad and each advertising dollar seeks to achieve one goal: to change your mind. These figures show the value of our thoughts. What we think and believe obviously matters a great deal.

Certainly, not every message sent our way is bad. Some can be quite beneficial. But, the majority of these messages bombarding us throughout the day take some form of “you’re okay, but…” or tell us that we are only as good as what we own, how we look, our education level, our income, or our occupation. This is the real Fake News.

The sheer number and velocity of these messages must lodge in our brains on some level and work our mental default settings. In the process, we sometimes try to separate our “spiritual life” and our “everyday life” in order to resolve the inner conflict between our cultural mindset and that of God.

In order for us to be who we were created to be, we must undertake the mental renovation project of surrendering the residual thoughts and effects of the messages coming at us from the outside and replacing them with those that arise from our Spirit. In doing so, we allow the messages we receive from God to take center stage in our hearts and minds.

The messages of Jesus are not so much difficult as they are radical and profoundly different; even counter-intuitive. I remain convinced that the only true and lasting way for us to see love, justice, and mercy in our world is to uproot all that is not loving, just, and merciful in our minds.

And in order to accomplish that, we must identify the erroneous nature of the cultural messages that saturate our minds so that we might refocus our souls on what we know to be true: that we are loved unconditionally, that we have what we need at this very moment, and that we are never alone. We recognize that the way of Christ calls us to recognize all of our fellow human beings as our equals, to bring good news to the poor, the outcast, the forgotten, and to live with integrity.

Let us be as relentless and motivated in marketing the message of God, not through prosthelytizing but by ensuring all those within our circle of influence simply know that they are loved and that they matter.

Prayer

Most Loving God,

We submit to your Spirit our minds in order that they may be renewed, and our souls so that we may be transformed. We thank You for the clarity You provide. May it so transform us that we continue to become more like Christ. By the power of Your Spirit, remove the misguided and constricting messages we receive in this world and may Your peace, love, equality, integrity, and joy guide our every decision.

And so it is.  Amen.

Devotion Author

Matthew Crawley