Friday - September 27, 2024
Donald (Luke) Day
SCRIPTURE
John 8.1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
WORDS OF HOPE
Today is the National Day of Forgiveness and today’s reading from the Gospel of John seems especially appropriate. After reading or hearing this thought from Scripture, may we take time to be quiet with it and let God's Spirit talk to us about what we have learned. It gives us an opportunity to walk along with Jesus and draw from that experience valuable lessons which apply to our daily lives.
This narrative from the gospel of John gives us an opportunity to learn about meeting and accepting others as God values them. In this passage, Jesus was teaching some followers in the Temple when the scribes brought before him a woman whom they claimed was caught in the act of adultery. They hoped to trick and condemn Jesus if he did not agree to stone her to death. But Jesus turned the question of personal sin on to them when he told those pious men in attendance: "Who among you has not sinned?"
The accusers were forced to withdraw in defeat. But how would the sinless Jesus encounter this woman? Finally, only Jesus and the accused woman were present when he told her: "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and from now on sin no more." Jesus offered this woman the divine forgiving embrace. Rather than a judgmental rejection of her, he offered forgiveness and a better chance to live as God wishes.
It is so easy for us to immediately adopt a posture of judgment or condemnation of others, especially those about whom we know little. However, that is not how God meets us in our imperfect lives. We should love others as we have experienced God's love, and that love is a divine love of acceptance and help.
PRAYER
Today, on the National Day of Forgiveness, as we encounter others, help us to open our hearts to God's forgiving love and let that inspire our words and actions as we interact with them. May we become the all-understanding and loving heart of God to the other person. Amen
DEVOTION AUTHOR
Donald (Luke) Day
Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions
SCRIPTURE Job 38. 4-7 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? WORDS OF HOPE I love today’s excerpt from Job, with God as the divine architect laying out the Earth as a work of art. All of us can be artists, designers of our own lives. Some of us even do it for a living. For as long as I can remember, my artistic ideas usually didn’t come to me inspired by just one or two things. Life isn’t that way. I am blessed to come up with concepts I’ve been calling “idea clusters” for the last few years. Looking back, the first time this happened to me was probably while I was in the third grade. I had a formulaic idea of how to draw superheroes and fast cars. Superheroes dreams came out of watching multiple Saturday morning cartoons. Drawing race cars and hot rods was inspired by one called the Wacky Races. All were inspirations to create my own original concepts. The ideas flooded my brain, often well past my bedtime, and the sketches and lists began. I had such a strong inclination for getting the ideas down because I learned quickly if I let it go, the next morning I would have forgotten those inspirations. I’m still that way. Having ideas so strong that I need to keep detailed notes to make sure I could revisit after a deadline. In our very anthropomorphic concept of God, I’m in wonder at all the creation ideas that sprang forth, as if God wouldn’t be able to sleep until the ideas were manifested. But remember, God did rest on the Seventh Day! That’s more human and less Divine than I can get my head around. I don’t know how our world came to be. I’ve seen clusters of asteroids and meteors form planets and moons on the science channel. Theoretically, something had to manifest in the way of natural causes for these celestial bodies to form. Genesis defines it as Divine Creation. Science suggests that the raw material was stardust. Isn’t it humbling to imagine that we are literally made of Stardust? -Those clusters of particles that beg for a purpose from an almighty Creator. Raw materials in God’s idea clusters. Is Genesis somehow literal in saying humanity was made from dust? God’s stardust? It sounds prophetic, doesn’t it? Is that what happened? And here WE are…another miracle, God’s works of art in this thing called Creation. That’s probably enough to ponder for a day. What idea clusters do you have? Are you making a list? PRAYER Wonderous Creator, today, may I join the morning stars to sing together and shout for joy with the angels of the wonders of your Creation. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE 1 Thessalonians: 5:18 “Give thanks in all things.” WORDS OF HOPE This Thanksgiving Day I am grateful for holy resistance. For all the ways we say NO to the forces of empire which seek to overwhelm us with one unjust edict after another, with one abuse of justice after another, with one attempt to silence free speech and peaceful protest after another. I give thanks for the myriad ways of resistance. For taking to the streets to cry NO KINGS, for cramming legislative halls with our bodies, for court filings, and for going to jail if that’s what it takes. But for the quieter ways of resistance too. For refusal to have our joy and our hope and our peace and our love stolen from us. Refusal to deny the holiness of our bodies, our identities, the spark of the divine in each of us. For God said, “You are good.” I give thanks for our grief which is a resistance to a culture so enslaved to production, to busyness that we are too often asked to suppress our sorrow, pull ourselves together and get back to work. For the grief which, even when complicated, honors the sacredness, depth, and everlasting connection of our relationships. For attending to our grief during the holidays, in resistance to succumbing to the expectations to overextend ourselves, to not setting healthy boundaries, to being silent about our loss, to not speaking their names. For resisting the Christian platitudes about grief we are offered—not out of intentional harm—but still harming in ignorance. I give thanks for those who help us resist—by making space for grief traditions at our tables, by inviting us to share a memory, by helping plant a tree in our loved one’s memory, or companioning a friend on her journey to scatter ashes if she wishes, by witnessing to our love and loss (and grief needs to be witnessed), By knowing now and forever that all grief is sacred. * This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for holy resistance. PRAYER Holy God, Cultivate in us all the ways of holy, healing, loving resistance. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon *For local support: Faith and Grief at Faithandgrief.org The following links offer insights into grief processing: Dr. Alan Wofelt: The Art of Cherishing During the Holidays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obimo3V6uLo David Kessler and Michelle Martin in conversation on processing grief in a world of constant crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4cr1BU7r-0
SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. WORDS OF HOPE Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, a day for gratitude and peace, but the peace of God does not exist in a time or place, is not defined by how we feel at any given moment but is the companion that travels with us on a journey with two roads. One road is traveled internally, and the other, externally. If peace existed in a specific time and place, then we could not exist outside of it. If peace were defined by how we feel, then we would have no reassurance when our feelings changed. Jesus promised to give us his peace, and at the same time, aforehand told us that we would face trials and tribulations. To understand that we can have peace with tribulation, we must first understand how the peace of God differs from human peace. God’s gift of peace is the reassurance of God’s presence in our lives. In essence, it is because of that presence that we do indeed have peace. The companionship of the Christ, Spirit, and God’s loving hands that covers us bear fruit in us unto peace. This great love works in our lives fulfilling God’s purpose to prosper us. It is not limited nor temporary. Even in the depths of despair, God our peace, is with us. Our helper leads us to victory over the battles we fight every day in our hearts. When winds of change blow like a hurricane all around us, our God is a mighty defense. On the inside, we must choose every day whether to love ourselves, forgive our enemies, and often, trust in what we cannot see. God is speaking to our hearts every day and we must choose to listen or not to listen. On the outside, we face a world that with each revolution brings new trouble. God does not always prevent trouble from happening to us but strengthens us when it does. Trails may come but God has overcome. It is because of our relationship with our Creator that we can have the peace of God. Truly, our peace never leaves, for God is everywhere. PRAYER God our peace, Bless You, for being with us when we could not see You and for never letting us travel alone. Praise You, for You command the storms in the world and in our hearts to be still. By Your companionship, we are mighty conquerors. In Your loving arms, we are at peace. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE 2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. WORDS OF HOPE I often dismiss my college level classes by telling my students to “go out and do the next right thing.” It used to be that this statement was more about making good choices than actually knowing what was right. The other day, a student, who had heard me say this to the class many times, was the last to leave. They waited around to ask me, “How do I really know what is right?” The current climate of life in our country, amplified by the influence of social media, most certainly has blurred our perception of right and wrong and good and evil. My friends have an older neighbor who fell ill and was hospitalized for several weeks. The neighbor lives alone with two dogs. My friends and other neighbors stepped up to make sure that the dogs were cared for by someone actually taking them into their home. Others maintained the yard and did a much-needed cleaning of the home’s interior so that it was welcoming upon their return. Most people would consider these as acts of care and kindness. Unfortunately, that was not the case in this situation. The recipient of these intended acts of goodness was angry at everything that had been done. “The yard didn’t need to be whacked down to dead twigs. The dogs didn’t need to be groomed. I was going to clean the house when I got home.” My student’s question about how do we really know what is right suddenly became more momentous. As a follower of Christ, I have always believed that Jesus tells us, in Matthew 7:12, exactly what doing good looks like— “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”. Seems simple, but based on my friends’ experience, it’s not. What do we do when what we thought was good and right is not perceived as such? Or, the contrary, when what we see as not right is perceived as good? Paul’s letter to the Romans has an answer for us. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) As you go about your days, pray for guidance, be an example of peace and love to the world, and go forth and do the next right thing. PRAYER Loving God, guide my words and actions as I greet this new day. Grant me courage and strength to move through my day showing kindness, patience, and love to others and to myself. Teach me to always be a reflection of your goodness. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. WORDS OF HOPE Within the Genesis story of Earth' s creation and the unfolding of the human experience, God saw great beauty and expanding potential for our loving relationship with the Holy One. The creative act endowed humanity with freedom of choice. The descendants of Adam and Eve often chose a lifestyle pattern which was compatible with divine hopes while many more ignored the opportunity to walk in the ways of God. Then, from the descendants of the righteous man, Abraham, God chose to demonstrate the Divine's nature and purpose toward humanity. However, even those Israelites often failed to live according to God's desires. It was an era when so many were frightened and dismayed, but the creation was not to be abandoned by God. Creation would be redeemed. And from the family of Jesse, King David's father, would arise One who would restore humankind's relationship with God. Throughout the centuries, we have been given hope and courage by so many hymns that remind us of that truth. "Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tenderest stem hath sprung, of Jesse's lineage coming as saints of old have sung. It came a flower bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night… True human but very God, from sin and death God saves.” -from a 16th-century German hymn. Do you remember this hymn by Bob McGee? "Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel, which means God with us and revealed in us. God continues to offer us this incredible, loving gift of Emmanuel to draw us into close relationship with the Holy One. God in us, God with us and God to act through us. As Thanksgiving approaches, what a joy it is to be grateful for this gift of divine wisdom that empowers us to bless the world. What a fantastic gift which is freely offered to each of us by the loving Creator. A THANKSGIVING SEASON 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 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 1 Peter 1:3–9 (Inclusive Bible) Blessed be the God and Parent of our Savior Jesus Christ! By divine mercy, we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. We are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this we rejoice, even if now for a little while we have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of our faith—more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although we have not seen Jesus, we love them; and even though we do not see them now, we believe and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for we are receiving the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls. WORDS OF HOPE Today is World Television Day, and I find myself daydreaming about moments I never actually lived through. I’m too young to have seen The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, but I can picture it like it happened yesterday: living rooms packed with teenagers, jaws dropped, hearts racing, everyone leaning into that flickering black-and-white screen as if the entire world depended on it. I can almost hear the screams, the squeals, the wild excitement—especially when that first chord of “I Want to Hold Your Hand!” or “Twist and Shout!” hit. And then there’s the other side—the parents, muttering over their dinner, half exasperated, half secretly curious: “Turn that off! That noise is giving me a headache!” Television has always been this magical, slightly ridiculous bridge between generations—a place where wonder, rebellion, and music collide, and grown-ups just don’t get it. Television is a paradox, much like life itself. On the one hand, it connects us in ways nothing else can. It can make distant victories feel like our own—a last-minute touchdown, a jaw-dropping performance, a story that makes us leap from our chairs, fists pumping, hearts soaring. It can bring history into our living rooms, letting us witness suffering, joy, and beautywe might never see otherwise. It can make us feel part of something bigger than ourselves—whether we’re watching alone in pajamas with a mug of something warm (and maybe spilling it, because clumsiness is real), or with family and friends, sharing laughter, commentary, and playful arguments about who’s right. And sometimes it’s as simple as curling up with someone you love and binge-watching a show late at night, finding comfort in stories that make us laugh, cry, and feel just a little less alone. But television can also be heavy. The news—especially lately—can be relentless, a constant drum of fear, outrage, and heartbreak. I’ve felt that weight. I haven’t watched the news since the recent election. I needed a break—not to ignore the world, but to protect my heart and my spirit, to reclaim my ability to love, notice, and be present. I needed to breathe, to reconnect with life in its raw, immediate form. I needed to sit with friends and actually hear their laughter without my mind chasing the next breaking story. I needed to listen to music, write, feel a cat purring in my lap (who sometimes thinks my keyboard is a pillow), and just let my thoughts stretch and breathe. And in doing so, the ordinary became extraordinary. Television, like life, is messy. It can inspire, teach, and unite—but it can also exhaust, distract, and wound. On this World Television Day, I honor both sides. I honor the sparks of wonder that make our hearts race, and I honor the courage it takes to step away, to turn it off, and fully step into life—into conversation, into laughter, into presence, into the little moments that remind us why we’re here. The quiet spaces between broadcasts, headlines, and scrolling feeds—that’s where life happens. That’s where music drifts from a neighbor’s window, where someone smiles at a stranger, where love—messy, patient, radical love—takes root. That’s where hope feels tangible, even in a world that’s loud, chaotic, and sometimes impossible to navigate. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the kind of television we all need more of: the kind that teaches us to live fully, love deeply, and breathe freely, even when the world outside is screaming for our attention. Because life, at its best, doesn’t happen on a screen. It happens in the pauses, in the laughter, in the moments we choose to look up and see the world—really see it—for ourselves. PRAYER Holy One, thank You for the ordinary moments that turn out to be extraordinary—sunlight, laughter, warm drinks, music, and yes, even the glow of the TV. Help me know when to step back, when to rest my mind, and when to open my heart. Teach me to notice You in the stillness, in stories, in faces, and in quiet joy. May I live with love, awareness, and a little humor along the way. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Reed Kirkman