Friday - July 14, 2023

SCRIPTURE  James 2.5-6 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the realm he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? WORDS OF HOPE James’ brief instructional letter of Wisdom to the early church is my favorite writing of the New Testament (Greek Scriptures). Tradition tells us that the writer of the Book was likely the half-brother of Jesus, and I can easily imagine the two of them having casual conversations during firewood gathering and other household chores. They would discuss events of the day and the attitudes of their world. Jesus would ask his brother about his thoughts on the Pharisees showing excessive favor and awarding honors to their rich donors while dismissing poor widows who could not afford to give even a mite (worth less than a penny) but who gave it anyway to the Temple’s funds. “Such a woman is rich in faith!” Jesus would declare to his younger brother. James would remember Jesus’ words throughout the years as he watched him scorned, accused of blasphemy, of being a traitor to his faith, and finally being crucified as an insurrectionist to the tyranny of the Empire. I can also imagine a brother’s usual relations with a sibling turning into worship after the Resurrection. It’s those words of worship that we read in his epistle to the early church. The wisdom in the Book of James is therefore the wisdom of his brother Jesus, remembered from countless conversations they had before either had ever heard of Simon Peter, Mary Magdalene, Judas, or the Apostle Paul. To me, the plain talk of James gives us a clue about the essence of his brother’s message: Honor and help the poor and marginalized so that you may be rich in faith. Those who are rich in gold who are exploiting them are exploiting you as well. They are blaspheming the holy name of the One to whom you belong. This is the central message of the Book of James, and I believe of his Holy Brother as well. PRAYER May we always remember that Jesus called us his brothers and sisters, too, and that all we say or do brings either honor or dishonor to the family of God. Help us to be rich in faith. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Acts 7:10 But God was with Joseph and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So, Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. WORDS OF HOPE In Acts chapter 7, we see Stephen brought before the Sanhedrin and put on trial. Back in chapter 6, we learn that he was one of seven men chosen to make sure widows and other overlooked people were cared for in the daily food distribution. While this might have seemed like a simple or even thankless job—basically making sure everyone got their fair share of supper—Stephen, full of God’s grace and power, went far beyond that. He performed amazing signs and wonders among the people, showing that even everyday acts of service can become something powerful when God is at work. That didn’t sit well with some people who grew jealous of Stephen, so they stirred up trouble, made up false accusations, and dragged him into a trial. But that was all the opportunity Stephen needed. Standing before the Sanhedrin, he launched into a bold retelling of Israel’s history, highlighting God’s constant faithfulness—and how, time and again, the people resisted what God was trying to do. In Acts 7:9–14, Stephen talks about how Joseph’s difficult circumstances were completely turned around—he went from being sold into slavery to becoming the governor of Egypt and overseeing Pharaoh’s entire household. It’s a powerful example of how God can take something meant for harm and turn it into something good, bringing purpose and blessing even out of unfair or painful situations. As chapter seven continues, Stephen confronts the religious leaders, accusing them of being stubborn and blind to God's ongoing work throughout history. He compares them to their ancestors who rejected God's messengers, pointing out that they’ve gone even further by betraying and killing Jesus. His bold truth-telling strikes a nerve, enraging the Sanhedrin. Frequently, we too can cling too tightly to tradition and ignore the truth that keeps us from seeing how God is working right now. Just as Stephen talks about how the people of Israel kept turning away from the prophets, we can become just as stubborn — just like the religious leaders were doing with Jesus. This narrative is our reminder to stay open to God’s direction, even when it pushes us out of our comfort zone or challenges what we’ve always believed. PRAYER God of grace and truth, Thank You for working through ordinary acts of service and turning them into something powerful. Like Stephen, help us to be faithful—even when it's difficult or when others misunderstand us. Give us courage to speak truth with love and humility, and keep our hearts open to Your direction, even when it challenges our comfort or traditions. Teach us to see Your hand at work, especially in situations that feel unfair or painful. Remind us, as You did with Joseph, that You can bring purpose and redemption from even the hardest moments. Help us not to resist Your Spirit, but to follow You boldly and faithfully wherever You lead. Amen.  DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

READING “This is the air I breathe. This is the air I breathe, Your holy presence, living in me”….Marie Barnet WORDS OF HOPE Recently, an article in the New York Times reported on a scientific study that found that “the patterns of breathing through our nose are so distinctive that it may be possible to identify us by our breath alone.” If measured for about 24 hours, it reveals a distinct “breath print.” How amazing that it could be so!  As I sat with the wonder of this discovery, I began to remember lines from Genesis about God breathing God’s breath into Adam, and then I recalled songs such “Breathe” which asserts that we breathe the very breath of God. James Finley, one of the core teachers for the Center for Action and Contemplation, had come to this conclusion through personal experience as a young Cistercian monk during his time at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (where Thomas Merton was his spiritual director). He was praying the Psalms in the loft of the barn, and as he breathed in the air, he had the insight that “what we tend to think of as the air is actually God. In a subtle, interior way I sensed that I was walking back and forth in the atmospheric, all-encompassing presence of God, who was sustaining me breath by breath.” Sustaining each of us breath by breath. The sheer intimacy of this reality is achingly beautiful and can, if we allow it, crack open our oft-protected heart to embrace the mystical encounter. For Finley, “the most intimate depth of this awakening moment was a simple awareness that God, who was sustaining [his] life breath by breath, knew me through and through as mercy within mercy within mercy.” This kind of awareness should give us pause: It is not the kind of thing we just experience and then run to the grocery store or keep scrolling through news threads. Sacred presence lives in us, exchanges the flow of life with us, sustains us in love. And so I wonder if, in some sense, these breath measurements could be said to capture the billions of manifestations of God’s breath, with each of us so fearfully and wonderfully made? My head swirls with the implications of it all—and I feel like I did when I first saw the images of the Webb telescope. Unable to comprehend it all—but struck with awe and holy wonder. PRAYER Breathe in us, Breath of God, Fill us with life anew, that we may love what you would love and do what you would do.* Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon *(adapted from “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” by Edwin Hatch)

SCRIPTURE 2 Kings 61-7 Now the company of prophets said to Elisha, “As you see, the place where we live under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, and let us collect logs there, one for each of us, and build a place there for us to live.” He answered, “Do so.” Then one of them said, “Please come with your servants.” And he answered, “I will.” So, he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, “Alas, master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. He said, “Pick it up.” So, he reached out his hand and took it. WORDS OF HOPE This is a really enigmatic story that is hard to make sense of for me. Floating axe heads? I like to find a piece of every scripture in the lectionary that I can relate to, or that can be the basis of a story, but this one was tough. I thought about it for a long time and then came to the conclusion that perhaps the relevance was there in plain sight. The man chopping down the tree was so enthusiastic or frantic that his axe head flew from his axe and landed in the river. He literally “lost his head” in his enthusiasm. I can certainly relate to that. Sometimes, I find myself so carried away with the action of a situation that I lose my head and get lost. The details become flustering, and I can’t find a spot to center myself. Elisha breaks the problem down to a simple action. One that had magical results, but one that I can take with me. When I become overwhelmed and flustered, I can toss that metaphorical stick in the river, watch the ripples spread out and eventually find peace. At that point my head floats back to me. PRAYER  At times when I am overwhelmed, let me remember that God will help me center myself if I only take a moment to pause and watch and listen. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

SCRIPTURE  Proverbs 16:11 Honest scales and balances are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are God’s work. WORDS OF HOPE I have just returned from a trip to Ireland with my daughter, her husband, and my four- and six-year-old grandsons. To experience the new and different through the eyes of children is both nourishing and refreshing. We did quite a bit of driving. The first thing the boys asked was, “Why is the steering wheel on a different side from Mommy’s car?” This was not an unreasonable question, though I found the wording quite telling. They didn’t say “wrong side,” but rather “different side.” This question was followed by, “How long until we get to where we are going?” The response, “About 170 kilometers.” As you might imagine, the next question that came was, “What is a kilometer?” Thus began a week of teachable mathematical moments. The six-year-old is a math whiz and entertains himself by doing math problems in his head. He spent the remainder of our trip doing the conversions between kilometers and miles. His fun was expanded when we stopped at our first shop and he learned that the Irish use euros rather than dollars and thus he was presented with more math equations to solve. I share this story because today is Math 2.0 Day, a day set aside to highlight the importance of math in our lives. Though I am thrilled with this little guy’s ability to solve these math equations, I am more thrilled that he never thought the differences in another country were “wrong.” Both boys readily accepted kilometers and euros, as well as biscuits and jumpers, with no judgement or criticism; these were just new, different, fun, and perfectly acceptable, ways to see the world. It may seem like a small thing, but in an age where even the slightest differences in lifestyle, looks, or beliefs can cause such divisive thoughts and actions in our world, I felt blessed by being in the presence of true child-like wonder…and acceptance. This experience made me wonder when it is that we lose our ability to see and embrace difference as something exciting, as something worth exploring and understanding, as something that expands our lives rather than threatens and diminishes it. Coincidentally, we also happened to be in downtown Dublin during the Pride parade and celebration. Though our little boys don’t understand all the significance of Pride celebrations, they do understand the general meaning and were thrilled to find themselves in the midst of all the rainbows, something that is familiar to them. If only we could all accept difference and see it as a gift, as a means to growth, knowledge, and blessings. If only we could cultivate understanding and appreciation by exploring our differences. Like my grandsons, we would learn that 170 kilometers is not as far as 170 miles, and be grateful. PRAYER God of all things measurable and immeasurable, help us to keep an open mind and open heart so that we can learn from all that we experience. Remind us that you are the maker of all things, familiar and unfamiliar, and each is a gift to us. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare