Friday - December 22, 2023

SCRIPTURE  Mark 7:7-8 These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don’t mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, Ditching God’s command and taking up the latest fads. WORDS OF HOPE In a conversation with a friend the other day, I mentioned that I am having a hard time right now calling myself a Christian, not because I am having a crisis in my faith in Christ, but because the word “Christian” looks and sounds like so many different things right now. And if I may be honest, many of those expressions of Christianity are nothing like what the Jesus that I carry in my heart looks and sounds and feels like. When asked about my faith, I simply say that I am “a follower of Christ.” Those that are confused by this response and looking for something more concrete usually ask the follow-up question: “What church do you attend?” Often, my answer leaves them still wondering. In our conversation, my friend and I tried to unpack our feelings about the word “Christian.” At its core, faith is what nourishes our spirit; it is food for our soul. Christianity is like food. And with that, it all made sense to me. There is junk food and there is healthy food. That is the dichotomy that exists in Christianity today. Food that is less healthy often seems more appealing. The doughnut covered with brightly-colored sprinkles that catches our attention, the fast-food burger that is quick and easy, the plate of nachos at the local bar—all these things taste and feel good in the moment, but are they the best thing for our bodies long term? After indulging on junk food, there is no room left for a healthier meal. within the meaning of the act, we “ate.” It’s like saying, “I went to church.” The question is, were we fed? Reading and quoting the Bible, and even going to church, doesn’t feed your soul if you are not taking in nourishing “food” that can be digested and used to fuel the work of Jesus. The words of Jesus in the above passage from Mark, “These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it” remind me of people who are hungry and are enticed by the sugary doughnuts because they are pretty and easy and taste good. They then exist on a short-lived sugar high, eventually leading to a crash and the hunger soon returning. “They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy,” The true work of being a follower of Christ requires feeding ourselves with “the leafy green veggies, the seeds and nuts, the fruits” of faith, things that nourish us deep down and sustain us for the long haul. This often means not taking the “fast food” route, the sweet route, the fun route. When we strive to live our faith fully and do the work that the gospels call us to do, it doesn’t always taste good, but at the end of the day, we are filled up with good things. PRAYER “ O Bread of Heaven exposed upon the altar, nourish my soul, strengthen my faith, and inflame my heart with divine love.” -Pope Leo XIV DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare

READING "Not every sky will be blue and not every day is springtime. So, on this spiritual pathway a person must learn to find her kind of happiness (contentment) without a whole lot of nice things happening outside." -Depak Chopra WORDS OF HOPE On this Memorial Day, our reading is from the well-known New Age writer, Depak Chopra. We are reminded of what is only too obvious today. Not every day is filled with "blue sky" happiness. How can spiritually attuned persons find their own happiness in our present turbulent world? They must first learn to focus their "spiritual eyes" on the value of each interaction which they have with the world, interactions with other people and the environment. It is the first step on a path to peace. We live in a world of clashing messages which often lead to bitter disputes or physical conflict. Some days are so distressing that it seems like we're running over a path of broken glass. There is no stop to the painful stimulation. Where is a place of peace? Who can clear some of the glass shards and create a zone of peace... a place for healing? As a follower of Christ, you are that one! When Jesus sent his disciples to go into small Galilean villages, he instructed them to meet people with peace. In Luke 10:5, Jesus says: “Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ It's important that as I am in contact with others, whether I’m in their home or not, that I am fully aware of that magnificent gift which I can bring to others. Jesus said, in John 14:27: "My peace I give to you." So, when you meet others, you can give them the blessing of holy peace. I use voice recognition software to jot down my thoughts or write devotions. As I dictate the word p-e-a-c-e, it usually writes p-i-e-c-e. That's a less than helpful software error. But it reminds me that when I enter into any interaction with someone, I can bring "peace" to them only if I carry a "piece" of Christ's loving presence into that action. PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, may I always remember that your peace resides in my soul and in my spirit, so that I may say to those around me “my peace I give to you” by my presence alone. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE  James 3:5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. WORDS OF HOPE “It only takes a spark to get a fire going” is from the gospel song “pass it on” and that’s what activists who step up, speak up, and lay their lives on the line for others have done and are continuing this legacy today. Each year on May 22, Harvey Milk is remembered for his work as a gay activist before his assassination in 1978. Harvey Milk Day commemorates an amazing advocate for gay rights who stood up for injustice along with the likes of Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Anna Mae Aquash who was assassinated for supporting indigenous rights. The minute each of those spoke out, they understood their lives were in danger yet willingly made enough noise until others heard the cry for justice and joined in. They each pioneered a cause sparking a fire in individuals so enormous that even after their deaths, those flames continue burning today. Harvey became the first openly gay person elected to serve as a San Francisco city supervisor. He urged and encouraged people to come out of the closet and openly fight for their rights. He championed anti-discrimination laws and coined the phrase “you gotta give em hope” which inspired folks to fight for their rights. After his assassination, instead of the fire being extinguished, his legacy began to catapult the movement toward greater national awareness and mainstream influence. Milk’s activism sparked the quest for justice and radical inclusion ensuring the same rights for ALL who had been expelled, dismissed and harmed by injustice. The Bible is full of individuals who stood up, shouted out, lost their lives and sparked movements that are still burning today. Our best example is Jesus who’s teaching to love one another was given as a command, not a suggestion! PRAYER Sovereign, Omnipotent God, Creator of ALL things everywhere, we give you thanks and praise for the sacrifice Jesus made creating the spark that burns in our hearts with hope! In Jesus name, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donna Jackson

SCRIPTURE  Acts 2:1-11 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” WORDS OF HOPE This is an interesting passage, which when I reread it, I noticed something I had never realized or heard preached on. Our Pentecostal siblings frequently use this passage to show that the gifts of the Holy Spirit include speaking in tongues. And I am not certainly one to dismiss or to discourage the infilling of the spirit. But two thousand years after the events recorded here there always questions about whether what we are reading has somehow or another been changed through translation and usage. The thing that I noticed that I had never noticed before is that those who are reportedly speaking in tongues, are Jews. The gathered crowd asks “are not those who are speaking Galleans?”. Indeed, a careful reading of the Passage seems to say that perhaps it was not so much that they were speaking in tongues, but that the people gathered around heard them speaking in their own language. This possibility changes the story. If those speaking has suddenly begun speaking in tongues other than their own it implies that the power of the spirit is the ability to speak God’s word. On the other hand, if those listening are hearing the word in their own language, it implies the power to understand God‘s word. What gift the Spirit is bringing depends on which side of the equation you stand. Are you a speaker or a listener? The interpretation that the gift of the spirit is the gift of understanding through listening is much more hopeful to me personally. It says that no matter what language God‘s word is spoken in, it will be understandable to the listener. That will speak to me in a way that I can understand. And by extension, I feel it means that it will speak to me when I needed it most as it did in that moment when the apostles were speaking to the crowd. In the next section of the book of Acts, Peter begins his fiery speech to the crowd. And the fact that he is one speaking to many, and they all understand him seems to indicate that they have received the gift of understanding as much as he has been given the power to speak. So, I would say for your devotion time, contemplate the understanding that you have been given of God‘s word. God is still speaking through ministers and pastors, and through your own heart. PRAYER God who comes to us through the Holy Spirit, give us an understanding of your word and teachings, such that no language barrier can separate us from you or from each other. Help us to be mindful that those who speak a language other than that which we might speak are no less capable of understanding the Word. DEVOTION AUTHOR Weber Baker Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare .

READING  1 Kings 8:54-56 Now when Solomon finished offering all this prayer and this plea to the Lord, he arose from facing the altar of the Lord, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven; he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice: “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel according to all that he promised; not one word has failed of all his good promise that he spoke through his servant Moses.” WORDS OF HOPE Today is “World Bee Day”. If I were looking for a blessing from God, I would probably not immediately look toward a bee, but they are indeed just such a blessing. I used to be afraid of bees. I would run from them, imagining that their purpose in life was to sting me. Though their cousins, wasps, may indeed be a bit more aggressive than bees, as a child anything that flew felt like a threat. Today, I look at bees, particularly European Honeybees as blessings. They are far more concerned with gathering pollen and making honey than stalking me so they can sting me. Their work, particularly the pollination part makes our survival possible as they pollenate and propagate most of the vegetables and fruits we humans consume. Without bees, we would most likely starve. So next time you enjoy an orange, or savor honey on that morning biscuit, think of Solomon reaching out his hands and giving thanks. I have included this short prayer I found on a website called BuzzAboutBees.net. PRAYER Bless the bees. Bless them with abundant healthy food and nesting sites. Bless them with strong, healthy offspring. Bless future generations of bees, and may their populations be expanded and protected. Thank you for bees, and may they forever be blessed. DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman