Tuesday - June 11, 2024

Kris Baker

SCRIPTURE


Ecclesiastes 3:18-21


“Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”


WORDS OF HOPE


Those of us who share our lives with pets know that doing so brings the deepest kind of love and also the deepest kind of loss. I know many people, myself included, that do not cry at the loss of human life in a movie, but when an animal dies, the box of tissue better be full. How many tears have been shed for Bambi’s mother, Old Yeller, Charlotte the spider, and Marley? And, why does the loss of animal life have such a profound effect on us?


For many of us, pets show us a kind of love that we often do not find in human love. My dogs want to be with me, whatever that me looks like, at the moment. Their love is non-judgmental and unconditional. Humans have so much to learn from our furry friends about life and love.


This poem by Taylor Mali, “Falling in love is like owning a dog” is a powerful testament to that kind of love.


"Falling in love is like owning a dog," by Taylor Mali


First of all, it's a big responsibility,

especially in a city like New York.

So think long and hard before deciding on love.

On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:

when you're walking down the street late at night

and you have a leash on love

ain't no one going to mess with you.

Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.

Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.

It lies between you and lives and breathes

and makes funny noises.

Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.

It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.

But come home and love is always happy to see you.

It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,

but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!

Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.


Love makes messes.

Love leaves you little surprises here and there.

Love needs lots of cleaning up after.

Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.

Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper

and swat love on the nose,

not so much to cause pain,

just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.

Because love loves exercise.

It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.

It pulls you in several different directions at once,

or winds around and around you

until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.

People who have nothing in common but love

stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,

again, and again, and again.

But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.

And in return, love loves you and never stops.


Dogs are indeed like love. Read the poem again and replace “love” with God.


If dogs equal love and love equals God, then perhaps our deep relationship with dogs is because in them we find a tangible way to feel and experience God. And this is why we feel such an emptiness when we lose a pet.


Today is World Pet Memorial Day. Think about the pets with whom you have been blessed to share your life. Remember them. Honor the smiles and tears that those memories bring. Know that with them, you walked hand in paw with God.


PRAYER


Loving God, who creates all living things, I give you thanks for the animals I have known and loved. Help me to honor them by sharing the kind of love, joy, and friendship that they showed to me with the animals and humans that I encounter today. Amen.


DEVOTION AUTHOR


Kris Baker

Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare


Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

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

Friday - January 30, 2026

By Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas • January 30, 2026
SCRIPTURE 1 Timothy 5:17-24 New International Version The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning, you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. WORDS OF HOPE Honoring the Work, Finding the Joy In today’s reading, Paul offers practical wisdom for life together in community. He speaks about honoring leaders who work diligently, holding one another accountable with fairness, and living with integrity that does not hide behind appearances. At first glance, this passage may feel heavy, concerned with discipline, responsibility, and seriousness. Yet beneath it all is a profound respect for work done well and lives lived honestly. Paul understands something important: how we treat work, and the people who do it, matters deeply to God. On this Fun at Work Day, we are reminded that joy and responsibility are not opposites. The call to honor faithful labor does not mean work must be joyless or burdensome. Instead, when work is rooted in purpose, respect, and shared commitment, it becomes life-giving. Fun, laughter, and connection are not distractions from meaningful work; they are often signs that the work is healthy. Paul cautions against rushing to judgment and against ignoring harmful behavior. Integrity, he reminds us, eventually reveals itself, both the good and the bad. This is true in our workplaces, our ministries, and our daily lives. When we act with care, fairness, and humility, our work reflects God’s justice. When we allow joy to exist alongside accountability, our work reflects God’s abundance. Today, as we celebrate fun at work, we can pause to give thanks: • For colleagues who labor with integrity. • For those who serve faithfully, often unseen. • For moments of laughter that strengthen community. • For the reminder that God is present not only in solemn responsibility, but also in shared joy. May we honor one another’s work, practice fairness and grace, and allow joy to remind us why our labor matters. In doing so, we bear witness to a God who delights not only in what we do, but in who we are together. PRAYER God of purpose and joy, bless the work of our hands and the people with whom we labor. Teach us to honor one another, to act with integrity, and to find joy even in responsibility. May our work reflect your justice, and our joy reflect your love. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas Senior Pastor Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
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