Scripture

Psalm 84.01

O God of Hosts, how dear to me is your dwelling. My soul has desire and longing to be present in the courtyards of your Temple.

A Word of Hope

Doesn’t that verse make each of us want to yell out “Amen”! We long to return to our familiar pattern of in-person, unmasked, worship at the Cathedral of Hope. We cherish memories of the days when we could casually pick up an item at the grocery store without stopping at the market door to realize we have left our mask in our glove compartment. But we must wait. I wonder how long will the disruption affect the emotional and spiritual lives of many? Then, I remember the plight of the Jewish people who survived when Roman forces destroyed Jerusalem and completely tore down their Temple structure in 70 CE.

With the total destruction of the building and death of hundreds of its priests and attendants, how could they practice their worship of God? Certainly, that was a “sour lemon” situation. However, some of the faithful leaders scattered from the ruined city and moved their lives and spiritual influence to other towns in Palestine, Egypt and elsewhere. In these new locations, they developed centers for Jewish education and new synagogues.

From these faithful Jews, the new Jewish rabbinic tradition developed. There was no central Temple for animal sacrifice. Instead, new synagogues sprang up where they taught Jewish history and the Law. A philosophy of life was created which was based on a personal commitment to a moral life and social goodness as God had always wanted. Out of the ashes of the destroyed Temple structure, this new rabbinic tradition flourished and has nourished Jewish people spreading their faith throughout the world.

How about us? Are we up for the task of putting the safety of others foremost in our thoughts, whether at church, the grocery store, or waiting in line for a table at a restaurant? That first century Jewish community still teaches us. We have the opportunity to watch our spirits grow during our trials. With our cooperation, God can make great lemonade out of a great disaster!

Prayer

Almighty God, we give you thanks that you will sustain and guide us through uncertain periods of life. We can place complete trust in your constant presence and love in our lives. Strengthen us to obediently listen and respond to your voice. And may our confidence in your guidance allow us to comfort and help those around us who experience fear and need. Amen.

Devotion Author

Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Today, if you hear God’s voice,/ do not harden your hearts as in the …day of testing in the wilderness….Hebrews 3:7-8

A Word of Hope

Only a few days after the massacre of 9 people at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina in 2015, family members of those murdered—still raw from the loss—began to speak words of forgiveness publicly to the killer Dylan Roof whose racist hatred and bigotry spewed out in bullets.* As the video of Roof’s hearing went viral, people across the world heard their voices:

Nadine Collier, daughter of Ethel Lance: “I forgive you.”

Minister Anthony Thompson who lost his wife Myra also spoke forgiveness, urging Roof’s confession and turning his life over to Christ.

Felicia Sanders who miraculously survived the slaughter with her granddaughter: “May God have mercy on your soul.” In later statements she described the way she forgave immediately and said it was not a choice. “If you don’t [forgive] you’re letting evil into your heart. You’re the one suffering. You’re the one hating. You have to forgive. For you.”

Danielle Simmon’s granddaughter carried this principle further, asserting, “Hate Won’t Win,” a pledge she later turned into a movement by the same name.

Others, like Nadine Collier’s sister, were not there yet. They knew forgiveness can be a long journey, but, with God’s leading, they were on the road.

These expressions of forgiveness do not forfeit the search for justice for wrongs done. Nor do they mean we “forgive and forget.” They are gritty and hard and courageous.

We are challenged every day to choose whether to follow narratives of hatred and division or those of forgiveness, love, and the belief in the redemptive power of grace. Jesus is clearly on the side of the Emanuel Nine.

When he tells Peter that he must forgive 70 times 7, it is not to quantify—but to suggest there’s no limit to this movement. And there is no more powerful icon than Jesus on the cross. With his last breaths, he calls upon his Abba to forgive those who had perpetrated the injustice and terror of his crucifixion—and all who are complicit: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Often we don’t fully know, don’t realize the cost of our actions or the hardened heart which leaves a residue of bitterness, toxicity, or regret.

Prayer

God of mercy and grace, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

Devotion Author

Dr. Pat Saxon

*The details of the Emanuel community’s forgiveness were refreshed by the article “Forgivness: A National Tragedy and Radical Love at Mother Emanuel AME” www.faithgateway.com/forgiveness-national-tragedy-radical-love-mother-emanuel/#.YUZGTn1Ok2w

Scripture

Psalm 11

In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows…

A Word of Hope

The writer of this Psalm seems to have been surrounded by all sorts of adversity; enemies unknown to us attacking in the worst of times, the foundations of daily life seeming to be destroyed. Like so many Psalms, a lot of people attribute these words to David, whose struggles under the rule of a merciless King are well chronicled, but regardless of the identity of the writer, he was clearly having a bad day.

How about you? Do you ever want to flee like a bird to your own sanctuary, here called God’s Mountain Zion, a familiar place of refuge away from it all? Like the Psalmist, we each consider ourselves among the righteous, the upright in heart. What can the righteous do? The outside world seems to be closing in on us at times, but are we not told that God has our backs?

The Psalmist reminds us that we are not alone in our troubles. As in many of the Psalms, the image of God may seem remote and removed at first, with the metaphor of the all-powerful one sitting on the throne of a distant temple, but as the poet begins to wrap up the ancient song, God is not pictured as disinterested.

God observes everyone on earth; God’s eyes examine them.

In asking “what can the righteous do?” the Psalmist observes that there are circumstances which force us to realize that sometimes we can do nothing, nothing but know that God is observing and examining our situation. When the rest of the world seems to have deserted us, God is available to us before, during, and after the worst of times.

Of course, there are those among us who impulsively want to blame God every time bad things happen. It is sometimes difficult to remember that ours is a God of healing, not hurting. We live in an imperfect world and we are the imperfection. Bad things are going to happen, but as the Psalmist reminds us, the healing God will never desert us.

Prayer

Ever-present One, help us to daily spend time with you, time that reinforces our faith to remember that we always have the ability to fly like a bird to your mountain and take shelter in your holy refuge through a simple moment of prayer.

Devotion Author

Dan Peeler
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

Psalm 104. 24-25

24 How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.

A Word of Hope

Inner Peace

Peace is quiet and not loud, still and not in a hurry, surrendered and not struggling, and simply is without trying to be. Imagine a secret garden that grew without anyone ever helping it. The sun is shining on patches of daisies, lilies, and dandelions spread about the garden randomly in various colors. A small stream stretches the length of the garden flowing in the direction of a great mountain in the distance. Throughout the garden are many apple trees in season with both red and green apples. Finally, the grass is both soft and long, and bows as the wind dances through the garden.

Conversely, chaos is loud and not quiet, in a hurry and not still, struggling and not surrendered, and trying to be but is not there yet. Imagine a storm raging at sea and being caught trying to sail through it. Thunder is booming while lighting is striking. The wind is fighting against everything in its path. Water has become waves driven by the wind and is striking your boat. A tornado is forming in the sky while rain beats down heavily on your face and you can see nothing.

Nature shows us what peace and chaos looks like, however; it is our hearts that feel its effects. When our emotions guide us, our hearts become as changeable as the weather; but when we guide our emotions, we become unmovable. There is peace even on cloudy days in a heart that is quiet, still, surrendered, and simply is without trying to be.

Grow a garden in the sanctuary of your heart and fill it with all the things that bring you joy. Take care of it and never neglect it. Your peace of mind depends on how well you maintain your garden. The storm that rages on the outside does not reach the peace that you keep on the inside. This is what the ancients called ‘Inner Peace’.

Prayer

Spirit of Peace,

Guide and guard our hearts so that we may find, keep, and be at peace. Amen.

Devotion Author

Jonathon McClellan
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Scripture

James 1.17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Creator of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

A Word of Hope

A long-time friend of mine had a rule when we ate out; she called it “dessert first” explaining that by the time you finish your meal you may no longer be hungry, and who doesn’t want dessert? I occasionally complied because taking food to go, you can enjoy a really good entree twice. My dear friend Carmen loved her chocolate cake. What is your favorite dessert?

I carried the rule forward and I’m a strong advocate for not saving the best for last. Either way, no matter what you choose, and in all things, savor the moment. Today, I watched a favorite series with a good friend streaming early in the day, instead of waiting until after dark. If you took a spontaneous break today, what would you watch or read instead of waiting for later?

In our growing tendency for instant gratification, we can order anything online, and often, within the same day have our hearts desire, if only because it’s possible. Still, other things demand our patience. We don’t have to wait for wine or cheese to age, because the work is done before it reaches us. However, the second a tomato is vine ripe, it can’t wait.

Enough metaphor. Let’s think about you. What is something that can’t wait before the perfect time passes? What is another thing in which you are required to be patient? The point is, I’m finding my experiences and beliefs are often causing me to contemplate that old adage of saving the best for last. I find on some days the weather is perfect for a spontaneous walk. On other days the bananas are just overripe enough for banana bread or they’ll have to be thrown out. Trust me. I’m conscious this minute of not relating all these themes to food. But I’m realizing life is short.

Life has too often been cut short for my loved ones; and often I think I need to enjoy everything I can while I’m here. I remember it turned out Carmen was right. She left this world much too soon. Who knew her thinking was so prophetic? She didn’t. Let me be clear. I’m not suggesting we change our eating habits or rush out right now and do our bucket lists. This isn’t about rushing the process. What I am saying is to savor this moment and take a moment to not just be grateful… but to savor.

Savor The time God has given you. How will you savor your time and show gratitude to God for it? Savor your relationships. Who comes to mind with whom you’d like to enjoy savoring a few more minutes? Savor your pet. If you have a pet, you probably know very well exactly how to do that. Savor your next meal. What food will you enjoy the most?

Do you savor the rain? Think about the life-giving water drops falling from the sky. Plants, animals, trees and insects are being fed. The air is cleaned. Now the rain is in slow motion. Perhaps it’s a shower. It is refreshing your face; not too warm or cool. Magically, you’re not concerned with being wet. If you savor God’s gift of rain along with other countless every-day blessings, you can experience that same joy you can receive by occasionally ordering that desert first.

Prayer

O God, your rain drains off. We’re dry once more. On its journey, the water became new life again. May we allow yourselves to be refreshed and renewed by simple pleasures, knowing that no blessings that come from you are small.

Devotion Author

Charlie C. Rose
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare