Scripture

“I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.” Philippians 4.11 (Amplified)

A Word of Hope

When was the last time you felt content?

I know the face you’re making now. Puzzled. Confused. Could you please restate the question? I’d like to buy a vowel.

We, myself included, do not “do” contentment very well. It seems anathema to the way we live our lives.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, stated that regardless of circumstance, he had learned “to be content in all things.”

Our general aversion to the term “content” mostly stems from our concept of what it means rather than what Paul tried to convey.

Contentment does not mean complacency.

To our ears, “I am content” registers as “I’m going to stop right here and have no plans to do anything else.” However, that is a more accurate description of complacency, that state of mind that paralyzes us with inertia. Contentment, on the other hand, refreshes our souls. It provides respite and rest for our often restless spirits.

Contentment provides us with a peace IN all things, but not necessarily WITH all things.

In our world, our country, and often our personal lives, where injustice and discord permeate the climate, I believe it is our duty to confront these violations of human dignity. And we can do so without sacrificing our ability to remain content. Not with the injustices, but amid them.

Contentment also mitigates our hard-wired, relentless drive for us to always and forever pursue more. More. Always More.

The “more” is not necessarily bad. If we cannot be at peace in the steps along the way, however, of what ultimate good is our exhausting struggle to obtain it? More importantly, it’s worth considering exactly what point in our pursuit of “more” and “better” will we finally reach the point of feeling fulfilled? What position, what partner, what bank statement will be the eureka moment when we can say, “I’ve arrived. Now, I can feel content and and peace.”? I can guarantee we have no idea. That point is nebulous, fictitious, and will always lie just a bit further down the road.

Contentment is not based on anything external.

It is a state of mind and an attitude of the heart. It benefits us and allows us to breathe, forego grasping, and recognize that in this moment, we have all we need. And everything is okay.

Prayer

Most Loving God,
In every situation, may we consider the future but remain calm, centered, and satisfied in the present. May our hearts always echo the words of that beautiful old hymn:
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
“When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul.'”

And so it is. Amen.

Devotion Author

Matthew Crawley

Readings

“She is a friend of my mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them and give them back to me in all the right order. It’s good, you know, when you got a woman who is a friend of your mind.”– Toni Morrison, Beloved

“A book should be an ice axe to free the frozen seas within.” Franz Kafka

A Word of Hope

Can you remember a book that opened you, enlarged your world, transformed your life?

Toni Morrison’s Beloved was the work that broke me open in a way nothing had before. As Angela Davis argues: we can never see slavery the same way after reading the novel. Morrison takes us into the shadow side of history– into the claustrophobic bowels of slave ships, parched bodies packed upon one another. She takes us into the life of Sethe, a former slave, whose dangerous, “thick” love urges her to slit the throat of her baby girl with a handsaw rather than have the slave catchers “maim and dirty her so bad” she would forget who she was. Morrison’s imaginative genius gives flesh to the ghost of slavery as it haunts her characters’ lives. But she also demonstrates the healing grace of love as wounded people reach out to each other over the abyss of suffering. And she gives life to a community of African American women who are bold and redemptive, facing down threatening forces.

Beloved was the most challenging work I ever taught, the most challenging work my Seniors had ever studied. But year after year what began as a confusing and frustrating reading deepened into a powerful experience: debating the ethics of Sethe’s terrible-loving act, layering down through the text, navigating the multi-vocal narrative, the interior monologues, the motifs threading the work, the incantatory, poetic prose. The work was transformative.

After Morrison’s death, a profusion of images filled the media–the regal prophet with her thick grey dreadlocks, the young mother embracing her sons, the editor in her office, the smiling honoree as President Obama places the Medal of Freedom around her neck, the dignified iconic writer receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature. Tributes abound, some grieving that we have lost her in a time when we need her voice the most. And the stories from friends—cooking contests with Nikki Giovanni, her love of desserts, her extraordinarily forgiving and generous nature.

Rest in Glory, Toni Morrison, great soul, moral compass, friend of our mind.

Devotion Author

Dr. Pat Saxon

Scripture

 “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” Psalm 71.9 NRSV

A Word of Hope

Today is National Senior Citizens Day in the United States. It is the one day of the year we bring attention to social, economic, and health issues for people that are classified as “senior citizens.” Some say you are a senior citizen if you are 55+ in age. Others declare that you are a senior citizen at 65+. In all cases, it is prudent for each of us to learn from people who are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom based on their experiences.

Once they reach a certain age, many people go to live in Senior Citizen Living communities or retirement communities. Some people are in nursing homes dependent upon their health status, economic situation, or their family situation. They may be older; however, their ability to coach and mentor would benefit the younger generations. In Psalm 71, the writer says “Do not cast me off in the time of old age, do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” This scripture is a message to us all. The writer of Psalms was letting us know that even though they may have progressed in age, we should not ignore them. Do not forsake them because their bodies have aged. They can work with their families, the communities, and society in general.

For some families and cultural traditions, they let their aging parents, aunts, uncles, and even cousins move in with them. The wisdom and knowledge can be passed on daily. In other cases, it might be best for them to be in a nursing home or another facility; however, it is good to visit and write them to let them know that you care and love them. In all cases, it will help them mentally and emotionally. Regularly being among family and friends is a great way to share and show love no matter what age a person attains.

Prayer

Dear Alpha and Omega: You created us all and you know our beginning and our end. Allow us to learn from everyone so that we can benefit from great wisdom and knowledge you have shared with those that have come before us. May it be so in Your darling son Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Devotion Author

Rev. Winner Laws
Cathedral of Hope Minister
Brite Divinity School Graduate

Scripture

And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

–Matthew 27:46 New King James translation

A Word of Hope

“When You Feel Lonely”

I recall that there were times when I was a little boy that I felt afraid to be alone when my mother or father would tuck me in bed at night. I wanted my Mom or Dad to lie down beside me until I fell asleep. I remember my mother telling me that I was never really alone because God was always with me. That actually did bring me some comfort, but I realize that there are those people for whom the thought of an invisible being somehow always hovering nearby—even if it is the God of love—might only evoke creepiness rather than consolation!

As an adult, when I have felt lonely due to missing loved ones who were absent by distance or death, that is a loneliness for which there is no easy substitute. Simply saying, “Remember, God is with you!” doesn’t close the distance or restore a life that is dearly missed. Loneliness can be very real and very keenly felt.

I am comforted to know that the God of the universe, whom we can experience through discovering the life and love of Jesus, understands the ache of human emotion, including loneliness. It is God’s compassion and empathy that is also revealed by the Incarnation—God cared enough to show up! In taking-on human form in the presence of Jesus, God demonstrated that there is a deep connection and understanding between the human and Divine experience.

It has been said that there are no tears we may weep that have not once before rolled down the cheek of God. Jesus’ journey on earth was one that included friendship and betrayal, joyous elation and righteous indignation (anger), along with feelings of both intimacy and abandonment.

If feelings of loneliness, emptiness, or loss seem overwhelming for you, please know that you are loved by a God who understands, who cares, and who is at work for good in your life. Be willing to reach out, show up, make a human connection, ask for help, and fight against isolating yourself. Hold fast and fear not. The Gospel message is one of good news of great joy that is real and that can change how you view everything when you are open to accepting it.

Prayer

Loving God, nudge me to listen to the hope that you bring and to refuse to succumb to despair or emptiness. Help me to look at my life with a fresh perspective and to trust in the possibilities that your presence brings. Amen.

Devotion Author

Rev. Dr. Gary G. Kindley
Pastoral Counselor
CCIADallas.org

Scripture

“Woman,” Jesus said, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”  John 20.15

A Word of Hope

In thinking about the character of Jesus, I love to wonder about what kind of personality he had. We know a few things about Jesus in that he was likely charismatic, at least enough to draw crowds. He enjoyed talking to people and giving them a sense of freedom and liberation. But, we also read that he would often go away into the wilderness seeking solitude. Who could blame him? It must’ve been frustrating leading a spiritual revolution in the first century. It was a time when you could literally lose your life for telling anyone you liked what Jesus had to say about freedom and liberation, not to mention that thing about loving each other. I ask myself, “Was Jesus an extravert or introvert?”

I don’t think modern psychological terms “extrovert” and “introvert” really describe the broad spectrum of anyone’s personality. There are times when I enjoy being around crowds and times when larger groups can feel overwhelming. I enjoy my social times and equally cherish my solitude and unpacking my day. But I think what I love most of all is conversation, deep conversation. Turns out, there’s a name for that too; “ambivert.”

I love people and learning what makes them tick while filling in the missing pieces to the giant puzzle of my good friends’ lives. All those hidden things are mysteries that demand to be solved. So it makes me wonder what Jesus thought of his fellow human beings, all the while being fully God and fully human. (Talk about ambivert!) How does that work? 

 What I look forward to asking him one day is “what did you think?“ Jesus is the Bible’s biggest celebrity, if I may use that very limiting term, but, I’m talking about his human side. We are told by the Gospel writers that Jesus had plenty of discussions with people who didn’t know him at all to those who claimed to have known him very, very well. 

Based on those short and sketchy stories in the Gospels, we presume that we know so much about his life, but do we? So often, there is a time in my life that I want to get it right, asking myself what Jesus would want me to do in regard to myself or other people.  It’s perhaps the most important question I could ask. In Christ’s perfect wisdom doesn’t there have to be a very simple answer about how we’re expected to live our lives, presuming that he even cares at all? The truth is that in his teachings, Jesus gave very few direct answers, but he did ask a lot of questions. Do you suppose he wanted us to figure things out for ourselves?

Jesus had to know that each of us is unique. There are extreme introverts and extroverts and everything in between living in the world. Each of us has to follow the message of the Christ in her or his own way. But what is that message to you for today? Is it to preach to the masses, love unconditionally, contemplate in solitude, teach others to pray, or to simply observe in silence? In Jesus’ examples, there were no limits to the options, but if we were to ask him, I have no doubt he would say, “What would you do?”

Prayer

Help me to follow your way by never losing sight of who you created me to be.

Amen

Devotion Author

Charlie Rose
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare