Tuesday - December 26, 2023

Webber Baker

SCRIPTURE


Acts 6. 8-15


Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.


WORDS OF HOPE


December 26 is an interesting day in the church and secular calendar. It is Saint Stephen's day in Western Christianity (December 27 in the Eastern orthodox.) It is the day which Stephen, one of the first chosen leaders of the disciples was martyred. In the passage immediately before the one above, Stephen has been chosen as one of seven to help with the distribution of food among all the disciples. Stephen is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Essentially the seven were chosen because the Apostles were not able to handle the duties of the day today and also preach the gospel.


In the United Kingdom and many parts of the former British empire, today is Boxing day. Is the day on which servants and tradesmen were given a Christmas box containing a little money, a small gift, perhaps some food leftover from the Christmas table. This seems to be an appropriate thing to do on the second day of Christmas, (the 12 days of Christmas last until January 6 with the arrival of the Magi). The first day of Christmas is the great gift of the birth of Christ, the second day, is a day to recognize and give something to those who perhaps have less than we do. Or at least two people who work very hard so that we have more than they do. Just as Stephen became a servant, (a waiter at the table, as the previous passage says), so we have many of those who serve. Boxing Day gives substance to that recognition.


Today is also Thank You Note Day. It is intended for handwritten thank you notes to be produced and to be sent. With email and text messaging and various electronic means of greeting ‘cards’ we have perhaps lost some of the simple joy that comes from receiving a handwritten note in the mail placed on our front door. I personally admit I'm a sucker for this. Since I was a small child, I have loved going out to the mailbox to see what has arrived. I don't know if I got the same sort of serotonin boost that they claim people get when their phone dings, but I suspect that's exactly what happened.


I am old enough that within a week of having received a Christmas present, my mother made me sit down and write thank you notes. This is something that I fear we are losing in our society. And I will bluntly state that this is a bad thing.


So today as a devotion I ask you to sit and make a list of people who are giving you something not just for Christmas but throughout the entire year. Sit down and write them a thank you note. You may be thanking them for a physical gift; or you may be thanking them for a job well done; support or love or friendship. These too are valuable gifts. If you can, send it through the Postal Service or deliver it yourself.


And in all of that, don't forget to thank the God who brought those people into your life. Don't forget to thank the God who sent Jesus to show you a way to God. 


And try with great devotion, prayer, and meditation to make your thanks more than an obligatory action (like many of mine that my mother made me do) that is a true heartfelt thanks for things, small and large that have been done for you in your life this last year.


PRAYER


God of gifts, God of life, God of all, thank you for this world and all that is in it, and all the people with whom we interact each day. Help us to see that of God in every person so that we may be thankful for their presence. Bring to us the thankfulness that we need for our friends and our enemies that we may all come together in peace. 


DEVOTION AUTHOR



Weber Baker

Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare


Need Some Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Thursday - May 7, 2026

By Dan Peeler • May 7, 2026
SCRIPTURE Genesis 5.20-22 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.” WORDS OF HOPE Noah’s Flood, the all-time favorite Bible narrative of children, is today’s Hebrew Scripture lesson, told during the Eastertide Season as one of the Bible’s most dramatic tales of new beginnings. Children who hear the story readily ignore the part that tells of the wrath of an angry God destroying every living thing on the entire planet except for Noah’s family and all the fauna and edible flora of the world. They just want to see the dramatic 2 by 2 animal parade marching through the Ark’s open door. Children don’t worry themselves with the question of whether the story is about an actual event or is just a colorful animal story, and good for them. There is nothing literal about it. The classic Flood Story is a derivative tale based on Babylonian mythology. Noah is Ziusudra, a righteous man the gods have designated to save his family and various animals from a great flood that occurs in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ziusudra, like Noah, is a righteous person and in each version, there is a divine warning, plans for a large boat, a sacrifice after the waters have receded, and a renewed relationship between the Divine and humankind. But the gods of Babylon had destroyed all of humankind not because they had broken any moral code, but because they were too noisy. I suppose part of Ziusudra’s reconciliation with the divine was to keep the volume down. That would be good advice for interpreters today who teach the story of Noah’s Ark as a literal event. So much noise about an ancient myth that is a comforting reminder in the worst of times, God can send a rainbow, that there is always a renewal and recovery on the horizon, that our precious natural recourses, our animals and our food sources, are essential, and that life is made up of a series of new beginnings if we practice God’s example of forgiveness and love. We do not compromise the integrity of the Bible in understanding it is a library of information made up of wisdom writings, songs, poetry, actual events, historical fiction, stories of faith, courage, and hope. And within that diversity, are the great myths, like Noah’s Flood which is not literal truth, but an iconic tale about the truth, the truth of humankind’s flaws and progressive relationship with the eternal God of Grace. PRAYER Thank you for new beginnings, for reminders of the true essentials of life, and for our daily opportunities to love and forgive one another, regardless of circumstances we. can’t always control. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Wednesday - May 6, 2026

By Hardy Haberman • May 6, 2026
SCRIPTURE  John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” WORDS OF HOPE Free from what? I think about this often and though Jesus was speaking to Jews who had never known captivity in their lifetimes, so what freedom was he talking about? Well, for me finding truth had always been a quest. I guess it was instilled in by my father who was a research scientist. The very foundation of research is empirical truth but guided in many cases by inferences and intuition. He taught me that black and white choices were rare occurrences in science, much as they are in life. He taught me that truth, especially philosophical truth, is something that can be found in many ways, and each of us is seeking that truth that is relevant to our lives. He instilled in me a curiosity that has followed me all my life, from my study of philosophy in college to my self-guided study of spiritual truths. So how can discovering a truth set me free? Well, one of the “truths” I have discovered is that my relationship with the Divine is important in my life. Though trying to find empirical proof of that is a fruitless pursuit, my intuition and the inferences I get lead me to believe that there is something greater than myself influencing my life. I believe that is the truth Jesus speaks of. Knowing that sets me free to experience life without too many irrational fears. PRAYER May we all find a truth that can set us free. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

Tuesday - May 5, 2026

By Charlie C. Rose • May 5, 2026
SCRIPTURE John 10.27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. WORDS OF HOPE I heard a comedian recently describe a relationship in the simplest, most basic terms: “A relationship is two people deciding what to eat until one of them dies.” I chuckled—but there’s a strange truth in it. Aren’t relationships, whether with people or with God, exactly what we make of them? What you give is usually what you get, in just about everything. Take artists, for example—painters in particular. Some are minimalists: less is more. Others add and refine, layering detail right up to the edge, knowing they must stop before the work becomes overworked. Both approaches can succeed, but only when the artist understands where that line is. That seems to be the key in so many areas of life: knowing when less is more, and when too much begins to take away from the whole. There’s a kind of balance point—a place of optimization—that shows up whether you’re painting a canvas or even doing your taxes. Preparation matters. Thinking things through matters. And somewhere in that process, you begin to recognize when enough is enough. Chuck Jones once described the dynamic between the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote as a kind of insanity cycle—essentially redoubling effort for the same or even lesser result. That idea sticks. It’s a reminder that effort alone isn’t the answer; thoughtful direction matters just as much. And yet, we’re surrounded by people—ourselves included—who sometimes just need a little grace, or a gentle nudge in a different direction. Whether they take it or not is another story. Maybe that’s part of what a relationship with God looks like: learning to recognize the right moment to act, to pause, or to adjust course entirely. So, what’s the balance? Mind your own business? Live and let live? There’s wisdom there—but I think I’ll keep listening for that quiet, steady God-voice. More often than not, it has a way of guiding relationships—of every kind—back to where they need to be. PRAYER May I always take the time to be open to your guidance, to listen for your voice, and to adjust course according to your perfect will. DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Monday May 4, 2026

By Jan Nunn • May 4, 2026
SCRIPTURE Matthew 25.35-40 ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” WORDS OF HOPE World Give Day 2026 is on Monday, May 4, 2026, aimed at fostering global kindness through acts of giving and volunteering. Volunteering and giving are amazing acts of service for Cathedral of Hope. We don't need a day like today to call us to serve our community! Every day our church family is actively serving those in need. Our members are giving out blessing bags to strangers in need on the corner, helping cook meals to serve to those in the community who are home insecure, going to our community partners to rescue food and share it with other agencies and with food insecure neighbors, buying our monthly groceries for Pac the Pantry or planning for boxes of food for our local school for spring break or the baskets for 500 families at Thanksgiving. Why do we do that? Because we are blessed by God and cannot help but serve others because of our gratitude to God for all we have received in finding CoH as our home and family! These times we live in currently are difficult. Gas and food and everything are more expensive. BUT we are still blessed and realize these stresses are even more difficult for those who are home insecure in our city whose circumstances are far worse than ours. To whom much is given, much is expected. Not just on Give Day, but continually. God calls us to be faithful in helping others! If you are not bringing groceries on the last Sunday of the month for Pac the Pantry, or coming in on various Saturdays to help make blessing bags, or volunteering on Monday for iCare, or Tuesday to cook or help plate food for Taste of Hope, or Saturday mornings to help with BACH (Breakfast at Cathedral of Hope), PLEASE figure what you can do to help those in need. Even if your help is a smile and an encouraging word to those in need. Making them feel seen is a very important gift to them. PRAYER God who cares for us all. Help us remember to be giving to those in need always so all feel valued and loved. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn Cathedral of Hope Volunteer

Friday - May 2, 2026

By Dan Peeler • May 1, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Esther 4.14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” WORDS OF HOPE In such a time as this, could you use another holiday about now? I’m sure Queen Esther, the recipient of the message in today’s reading, would have welcomed a celebration and a little time off from the daily turmoil that was her life. Her older cousin Mordecai had spoken these fateful words to the young queen, reminding her that she was the single person with the ability to save her entire nation as they faced annihilation at the hands of the ultimate minions of evil. Most of us know the story of Esther and realize that she did accomplish the impossible and the descendants of her people still celebrate her victory in a yearly holiday celebration called Purim. Esther herself was never to know the extent of her victory that future generations would commemorate. She just did what was right at exactly the right time. Each generation has the opportunity, or even duty, to make a difference in their unique time in history. As we witness the serious threats to our Republic perpetrated by elected leaders who swore to preserve it, we each know in our hearts that such a time as this requires our full attention to do what is right as peaceful, but unyielding followers of God’s initiative. The Book of Esther is the only Book of the Bible to make no mention of God, prayer, or a spiritual agenda. Esther knew who she was and had the courage to aggressively do the work of God for others rather than sit down and expect a miracle. If we want peace on our planet, we must be the peace, pursue the peace, and teach the peace. We must become a nation of Esthers. Most of us have already made that commitment as we endeavor to live the life Jesus himself lived. If not yet how about today? It’s May Day, a holiday much of the world still observes as they welcome a new season into their lives. It may not be Purim, but wouldn’t it be comforting to know that future generations could indeed look back on our lives and set aside holidays to remember the people of peace who changed their history? PRAYER Here we are, Lord. You have shown us the way of peace. May we be your way for such a time as this. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Thursday - April 30, 2026

By Donald (Luke) Day • April 30, 2026
SCRIPTURE Psalm 62. 1-2 Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly God is my rock and my salvation; God is my fortress, I will never be shaken. WORDS OF HOPE Our Firm Foundation "How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God's excellent word. What more can be said than what God has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?" This is a quotation from the hymn Our Firm Foundation with words taken from the Rippon Selection of Hymns 1787. Did you ever ask yourself, “What is my foundation?” Can you with assurance say: "God alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I will not be greatly shaken” [or filled with stress and fear]? In today’s atmosphere of uncertainty or fear, the quest for a true foundation in our lives can be overwhelming to all of us. Can we find true foundations in our political leaders, in news sources we trust, or in the endless discussions of friends, family, or mostly strangers on social media? Or, is our actual foundation where it has been all along, waiting patiently, and just a prayer away? For many centuries, the practice of silent prayer has been the principle source for the saints of old to eliminate the cacophony of the world and hear that still small voice of our true foundation, our assurance of comfort. We don’t have to be a Saint of old to hear it, or even better, to feel it. Find a place today, or tonight before bedtime, where you can take a few moments for a time of silence. Here’s a prayer that I often repeat; one that works for me: “I wait for you alone, my God; my hope is in you. You alone are my rock of assurance and safety; I will put my trust in You always, pouring out my heart's concerns to You, my refuge.” God is known for the steadfast love as stated in the Psalm of today’s reading. God is our sure foundation as we journey through this time of distress and uncertainty. Today’s news can be overwhelming to all of us. But these are the best of times to press together the palms of our hands and remember: "God is sovereign, and God is our firm support!" PRAYER Only you, Lord, can focus my heart to be present to you. In the multiplicity of things and distractions of my mind and every day's routine, the one necessity, the one place where my heart can rest is you. May your Spirit help me in my weakness and my distress. May the gift of your presence and comfort speak to my soul.* Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare *modified from the words of Karl Rahner
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