Tuesday - February 11, 2025

Kris Baker

READING


The courage to be brave when it matters most requires a lifetime of small decisions that set us on a path of self-awareness, attentiveness, and willingness to risk failure for what we believe is right. It is also a profoundly spiritual experience, one in which we feel a part of something larger than ourselves. And guided, somehow, by a larger Spirit at work in the world and in us. Decisive moments make believers out of everyone, for no matter what name we give to it, the inexplicable, unmerited experience of power greater than our own working through us is real. -Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

 

WORDS OF HOPE

 

This morning as I was scrambling eggs for breakfast, admittedly coming to the task on autopilot rather than from a place of gratitude, I reached for the spice jar, one that is always on the counter in the same place by the stove. As I unscrewed the lid, something I have done many, many times, the name on the label jumped out at me like I was seeing it for the very first time…Outrage of Love, from Penzey’s Spices. Why today? Why did I need to know on this particular morning that I was starting my day by sprinkling “outrage of love” on my eggs?

 

Though I have used this spice blend for a while, I had no idea what was actually in it, so I read the label more closely. Outrage of Love contains salt, black pepper, citric acid, shallots, lemon peel, white pepper, garlic, and green onion. That explains why it makes my eggs taste so good, but why do those things in combination deserve the lofty name, Outrage of Love?

 

I started thinking about the individual spices contained in this blend and the symbolism of each.

 

Salt symbolizes preservation, purity, loyalty, as well as enduring covenants. When Jesus tells the disciples that they are “the salt of the earth,” he is telling them that they are to preserve the goodness in the world, to be love in the world. In the Gospels of both Mark and Luke, Jesus also says, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” He is using this metaphor as a teachable moment for the disciples. If the going gets tough and your loyalty, your love wanes, how do you restore it? Jesus shows here that love can be tough and it takes courage, and perhaps a little outrage, to restore and sustain what may have been taken for granted.

 

Shallots, onions, and garlic are associated with good things like health, strength, good fortune, and protection. Certainly, loving amidst all good things seems easy, but what happens when we are called to love when we don’t feel strong or protected? In Numbers 11:5, the Israelites comment, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.” They are wandering in the wilderness with only manna to eat, remembering the good taste of the food that they consumed in Egypt. But, they are forgetting that they were slaves there and are now being led to freedom. In their minds, the immediacy of good tasting food seems more important than the long-term goal of being freed from captivity. This is also a story about being outraged enough “to fight the good fight.” 

 

It is easy to get caught up in the here and now of love, but our courage to love is tested when “it doesn’t taste good,” when we are wandering in the wilderness, when we lose sight of why we love. Again, courage and outrage are needed to keep going, to persevere through the challenging times those inevitable times in the wilderness.

 

Though black and white pepper and lemon peel have no Biblical references, they do each carry some symbolism. Pepper can be symbolic of worldly things, sin, temptation and distraction. Though we may not want to admit it, these things do inform our ability to love at times. Lemon is associated with love and longevity.  Bring on the lemonade!

 

For me, it is more like bring on the scrambled eggs.

 

To actively love as Jesus calls us to do requires that we navigate many different circumstances, a lot of them quite difficult. Love is not easy. Loving is even harder. Amidst the hatred, injustice, and chaos of our current times, a healthy sprinkling of Outrage of Love may be the only thing that helps us to survive. Isn’t that how Jesus made his way in the world? 

 

We fail as Christ-followers when we give up and are no longer outraged by the injustice in the world. When we walk with our Jesus, we are made strong; our hearts are filled with a perfect love. We must continue to be outraged by the ugliness that surrounds us while we also work diligently to fill the world with the kind of love that Jesus exemplified. Our outrage must sustain us until justice and peace extend to every corner of God’s creation.

 

Seasoning my eggs with Outrage of Love this morning was “a small decision” that set me “on a path of self-awareness, attentiveness, and willingness to risk failure for what I believe is right.” Today I thought deeply about what it means to be filled with the outrage of love - love for family, stranger, our physical world…and enemies. Now, each time I pick up that bottle of spice, I will be reminded again and again to go about my day filled with the outrage of love. More importantly, I will walk out into the world nourished with a healthy serving of outrage and the belief that I am a part of something larger than myself and am being guided, somehow, by a larger Spirit at work in the world and in me.

 

PRAYER

God whose spirit is at work in each of us, help me to feel and use the positive power of my outrage to be the change this world needs, to be a bearer of hope, joy, love, and peace. Amen

 

DEVOTION AUTHOR



Kris Baker

Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare

Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Friday - February 6, 2026

By Thomas Riggs • February 6, 2026
SCRIPTURE  James 3:13-16 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. WORDS OF HOPE Many of us find ourselves drawn to wholesome and uplifting characters and people. We’re drawn to the inherent goodness of Superman (and the actor David Corenswet who plays him), the unwavering optimism and kindness of Ted Lasso (and the actor Jason Sudeikis who created him), the smart and kind Elle Woods (and the actress Reese Witherspoon who played her), or the tough-love patriarchal Uncle Phil (played by the equally cool and supportive James Avery). These characters not only entertain and inspire, but in many ways, they make us feel seen, heard, and understood. We admire and often want to be like “nice” people who see the world through optimistic eyes, living a humble and selfless existence. When the apostle James asked the piercing question “Who is wise and understanding among you?”, his answer was not found in blustering fools who coexist comfortably with injustice, but among those whose life showed wisdom through a “gentleness born of wisdom”. Rev. James H. Cone, a pioneering American theologian and founder of Black Liberation Theology, argued that Christian wisdom must be measured by its solidarity with the oppressed and its resistance to systems that degrade human dignity. Any “wisdom” that coexists comfortably with “bitter envy and selfish ambition”, Cone insisted, is not from God. It is the source of disorder and evil. Wisdom that protects power at the expense of people is, by biblical definition, false. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” This peace is described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the presence of justice. Black theology reminds us that peace is not a concept, but something practically made. It is created through courage, truth-telling, and communal love. The apostle James, the Rev. Cone, and Dr. King invite us to examine the wisdom shaping our words, decisions, and relationships. Are we producing humility or self-protection? Mercy or control? Disorder or life? How can we cultivate a wisdom that does not boast, a peace that does not lie, and a courage that does not dominate? PRAYER God of truth and justice, strip from us the false wisdom of envy, ambition, and self-protection. Teach us the humility that shows up in merciful deeds and the courage that stands with those pushed aside. Plant in us your wisdom from above— pure, peace-making, and full of life— so that our lives may bear a harvest of righteousness. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs

Thursday - February 5, 2026

By Charlie C. Rose • February 5, 2026
SCRIPTURE  John 1:5 (NIV) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. WORDS OF HOPE I was once called a “Pollyanna” on social media for an attitude that was too optimistic and perhaps too cheerful. I quickly realized that judgment was surface level, based on a single post, and couldn’t touch what runs much deeper in me. I sent my friend a private reply, saying I could understand how she might see it that way. But I also explained some origins of my optimism. I didn’t grow up in a particularly happy household. We lived under the constant threat of my father’s unpredictable behavior. He was both an alcoholic and bipolar. At least one of those conditions wasn’t his fault and bipolar medications were a few decades away. As to the alcoholism, he came from an era when heavy drinking was accepted, even encouraged, as well as the notion of men ruling the roost with an iron fist; those days when discipline often crossed into what we would now call abuse. We never knew what mood we'd get. When someone lives that way, it’s hard to trust the rare moments of calm, or the sudden bursts of happiness that can tip into mania. Looking back at childhood photos and my grandfather’s 8mm home movies, I notice a consistent optimism on my face. I wasn’t hiding my feelings, exactly—I had found refuge in creativity and comic books. That world became my escape, and, I think, my survival. There was also something inherent in me, a defiance of the depressing household climate. Some of us are born into circumstances that force us to develop inner light early. I know I sublimated those feelings by escaping into my fantasy world of writing and art. What we create in our minds often shapes our emotions and actions. Today is Optimist Day. What stories of your own past have taught you to be optimistic today? We live in a fragile world. These are violent, unpredictable times and the actions, the hopes, of your younger self should spark the same optimism many of us had in our childhoods. It’s ok to dream, to have visions of a better world, to know that silver linings are still not out of style. I recently watched the movie Pollyanna again and better understood the word’s origin. I’m a little prouder now to wear that label— and I should remember it more often. So should all of us. Everyone needs a smile. Even our darkest moments are temporary. PRAYER My Creator, I know I find it difficult on some days to be a beacon of hope to the people I encounter, so I ask that you help me see past my own despair as a bridge for somebody else. In your name, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Wednesday - February 4, 2026

By Hardy Haberman • February 4, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Luke 6:24-25 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.” WORDS OF HOPE This is from the passage in Luke often called the “Sermon on the Plain”. In it, Jesus doesn’t seem too fond of rich people, more specifically greed. Because of this I don’t hear this quoted much by folks preaching “Prosperity Gospel”. Seems to me Jesus was not a fan of transactional faith. It feels too much like a business arrangement and for me my relationship with the Divine is not a business model. I believe Jesus was encouraging us to weigh the importance of possessions in our pursuit of happiness and grace. Things hold no permanence, but faith and God’s grace are eternal if we open ourselves to that miracle. I was reminded of this recently when I saw a building that had always been a fixture in my life’s history being imploded to make way for something else. That edifice that seemed so solid and permanent was gone in seconds. What remained for me were memories of it and the people and events surrounding it. Those cannot be blown up and carted away. It is those memories that I find much more valuable than the building. Like my faith, they are contained, not in an edifice, but in my mind and to some extent my soul. PRAYER Eternal God, may we receive your grace and hold it fast to our souls for it has more value than any earthly riches. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman

Tuesday - February 3, 2026

By Dan Peeler • February 3, 2026
SCRIPTURE Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. WORDS OF HOPE  Throughout my years of teaching Bible truths to children, I used the memorization technique of acting out Scriptures with broad body motions. Of all the scriptures we learned, I hoped that the one they would take with them into the world was Jesus’ Love Commandment covering love of self, love of neighbor, and therefore love of God through practicing those virtues. The motion we used for “love your neighbor” was creating a large circle with both arms. My final question to them each Sunday was, “And who is your neighbor?” “The whole world!” they would eagerly respond. That statement still holds true and will never change. Jesus came to fulfill the complex laws of the Prophets and he fulfilled them through preaching love, the greatest power on Earth. Yet, in the course of human history, loving our neighbor seems to often take a back seat to the glorification of power. Our most foolish and egocentric leaders in every era have practiced that obsession through invasions and wars against our neighbors. Some of them, from the Crusades until now, have even identified themselves as Christians. What happened to Christian love? Cole Arthur Riley is a spiritual educator at Cornell University, best known for her book This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories That Make Us . She is the creator of Black Liturgies, which integrates Black culture with spiritual practices, centering on themes such as liberation, lament, and justice. Her discernment and wisdom speak to all of us. She has this to say about love and power: “One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Riley’s observations are profound. Love is not just a good feeling we talk about in Sunday School. It is an action, a spiritual practice, the most powerful gift God has ever given. How we’re going to use that gift is up to us. In our personal relationships, in our prayers, in our social media posts, we must never abandon or squander the power of love. But, who can possibly benefit from our persistence? Our neighbors; The Whole World. PRAYER God of Love, God of Divine Power, in our communicating, we are sometimes tempted to adapt the age-old rhetoric of hatred and distrust that surrounds and distracts us. Remind us of your greatest gift. Guide us on the path of love for all that Jesus paved for us. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Monday - February 2, 2026

By Jonathon McClellan • February 2, 2026
SCRIPTURE Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  READING Rev, Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. WORDS OF HOPE A Cause Worth Fighting For Today, on this first day of Black History Month, we find ourselves in an argument as old as civilization itself. This argument has been repeating itself, beginning again in every generation, every nation, every city, and in every home. But this argument isn’t happening between two opposing parties. In truth, it is rare for anyone to be as good as they appear or as wicked during a war. People tend to live according to the passions of their convictions, and in doing so, tend to feel justified. And bludgeoning someone with one’s convictions becomes a never-ending cycle–escalating over time, demanding greater costs and greater sacrifices. However, true justice has always been hard won, has always needed to be defended, and has always yielded itself to morality. We need not merely the appearance of the moral high ground, but rather the examination of what exactly the moral high ground is. When faced with a seemingly insurmountable climb, Martin Luther King Jr.’s biggest obstacle was not the opposition, however, but his own heart, and how many times must a man who was publicly shamed, shackled, beaten and berated every time he left his house… How many times must he have been tempted to give in to his wrath? How would he have been able to successfully lead a movement using only the weapon of love if he had? At the end of the day, we won the argument because we won the battle over the heart; and if we need to ask ourselves what love is or what goodness looks like, then remember that Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was modeling himself after Christ. PRAYER Merciful Creator, though we are tempted to give into wrath, it is because of our sadness and despair that makes the temptation the most terrible battle for us all. But You are greater than our circumstances and Your salvation must certainly come. Fill our hearts with Your love like a healing balm and deliver us from temptation. Bless you, God, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Jonathon McClellan Order fo St. Francis and St. Clare

Wednesday - February 11, 2026

By Donald (Luke) Day • January 30, 2026
SCRIPTURE John 15:15 I have called you my friends, because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Abba God. WORDS OF HOPE An ongoing question for early Christian leaders revolved around the influence that Jesus the Christ had on their belief in one God. Three descriptive actions came to mind. Jesus was Revealer of God, Redeemer of humankind, and their Lord. From the beginning, he became famous among the villagers for his wise and holy words which told of God's love, forgiveness, and divine welcome, as well as for words of correction and encouragement. By these words and the way he related to others, Jesus revealed much about his Abba God. Jesus revealed God's loving nature as he encountered everyone - rich or poor, powerful or outcast. He revealed God's patience and understanding of human frailty as he gently led and taught his disciples. Jesus revealed God's offer that all could enter the Kingdom of God and live under divine sovereignty. He revealed the tender, healing care of God as he reached out to heal all manner of illness. Before Jesus walked among us and called us his friends, it seemed that God was very distant from the common person, but now the Divine's presence seemed to walk with them, talk to them, and eat meals with them. Jesus' life offered the opportunity to have an intimate relationship with God. Now with the revelation of Jesus, all those who sought a true relationship with God could find divine presence in their daily life. These are several aspects of the Holy One which Jesus revealed to his followers, but his divine influence was certainly not confined to those he called his friends in the first century. That presence is still flourishing in us today. How about you? What other characteristics of God are revealed to you through the life and ministry of Jesus? PRAYER Loving Creator, as we encounter the rich, the poor, the powerful or the outcast in our own lives, may we show them your patience and understanding revealed through the tender healing care of Jesus. DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
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