Tuesday - March 18, 2024

SCRIPTURE  Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. READING “The places of the greatest disruption in my life have surprisingly been, too, the occasions of the most profound gifts. The seasons when I have allowed myself to feel my broken heart, and to know my woundedness, are the times when my compassion for the world has deepened….” Christine Valters Paintner WORDS OF HOPE “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” I quip to a friend as we pass in the Narthex at yet another Celebration of Life service. Yet another for a beautiful-souled person in our congregation, a servant of God. Yet another for family and dear friends who are bereft, hearts broken open in love and sorrow. Yet another for those who will walk the night corridors robbed of sleep and awaiting the dawn. Truth is all of us are carrying layers of unresolved grief. When we do not honor our sorrow, it gets blocked and distorted. Add to this all of the losses and assaults to dignity and freedom we as a community and country have faced in the last months, and it’s a wonder we can function at all. Recently, I wrote a set of beatitudes for a disenfranchised grief round table calling for a resistance to suppressing our grief, trying to hold it all together. This morning I offer them as an invitation to speak the truth of our mourning together. Blessed Are We Who Mourn Blessed are we who mourn, who no longer muffle our cries in the night but by daylight and in the company of others here claim our sorrow, sorrow unacknowledged by our families and communities, sometimes even by ourselves. The death of an incarcerated neighbor, a favorite aunt, a gay partner, a mentor, childhood friend, a beloved animal companion. The death of a student, a miscarriage, a shattered marriage, a son’s death by suicide. Blessed are we who mourn loss of livelihood and purpose, loss of mobility and health, loss of house and home, loss of faith and hope, our field of dreams, loss of those with whom we used to mourn. Blessed are we who mourn the assaults upon the safety and dignity of the queer community, upon those who look different, love differently, pray differently, upon the poor and marginalized, upon all who feel endangered this day. Blessed are we who mourn world sorrow—the devastation in Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, the Sudan. The apocalyptic climate disasters of fire, flood, earthquake, and tornadic winds. No, we cannot simply build again. Trauma imbedded within, we cry out our lament in protest and mourning. Blessed are we who mourn, and we give thanks that we are not left companionless, but are held in the wide mercy of God and in this good company of faith. Amen. PRAYER Midwife of our weeping, hold us in times of grief and loss. Be with us as we give expression to our love. Amen. (-from A Different Kind of Fast, page 174) DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon

SCRIPTURE Luke 5. 27-32 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him. Then, Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”  WORDS OF HOPE This story from Luke is pretty straightforward. First of all, Jesus stepped outside of the expectations of the established religious leaders. He saw a tax collector, sitting at his task of collecting taxes. This was not a former or reformed tax collector, but one clearly practicing his trade. For whatever reason, this was not a respectable profession. Still, Jesus bid him, "Come, follow me". Levi, the tax collector, left his tax booth and followed Jesus, just left his job, and followed Jesus! Then Levi puts on a grand banquet, inviting a whole slew of tax collectors and other friends to introduce to Jesus. It seems like Jesus couldn't make a move without the church leaders complaining. They went to his Disciples and asked why Jesus was sharing a meal with such disreputable people. Jesus stepped in and answered for himself. He made no apologies for the company he kept. He made it clear that He was here for those who needed him. It did not matter then, if the person was worthy of Him. Of course not, none of us are worthy until He makes us so. It is important that we do not exclude or shun those whom we judge "unworthy". No matter what any of us have done or not done, we are worthy because God is a god of love and grace. PRAYER God, we are grateful that you sent your son Jesus to show us the way to live for you. Let us follow in his footsteps. Help us to remember that we are worthy and so are the ones we call "they". When we are tempted to judge others or shun their friendship, may we choose to love them, care for them, and share the good news that they are worthy and welcome to God's love and grace. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Carole Anne Sarah

SCRIPTURE  1 John 2:18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18 WORDS OF HOPE This passage from the first letter of John is the first time that the word “antichrist” is used in the Bible. The functional modern understanding of antichrist seems to be that an antichrist is any person or force that opposes Jesus or the Christian church. John describes an antichrist specifically as a person who denies that Jesus is the Christ. I see two sticky issues here for those of us who are followers of Christ today. The first may be semantics, but all those who are not followers of Christ are not against Christ as the prefix “anti“ suggests. It simply means that they have a different understanding and perception of the role of the historical Jesus. As Christians, I think we must ask ourselves why this is a problem for us. Why does it matter that others have chosen to follow another spiritual path? The love that we believe comes to us from God and the Son should be enough to sustain and protect us. Secondly, to believe that a force in and of itself can be an antichrist seems problematic. Except in the case of the force of Mother Nature, a force is something set into motion by a human action. The force itself has no belief for or against Christ. The problem comes with believing that on one end of the continuum we can have an antichrist that is an unthinking and unfeeling entity, then on the other end there is Christ, the living embodiment of humanity and divinity who thinks and feels so deeply. It seems to me like we might need to be more careful about defining the true faces of the antichrists about which John is warning. The world is full of many people who act in ways that we see as antithetical to the ways of Christ. Indeed, by John’s description, some may be seen as antichrists. There are also many people who don’t consider themselves to be followers of Christ, but lead a life based in the principles that exhibit the same principles taught by Jesus. Are these people antichrists? Then there are those who with their words say they are Christians but with their actions defy the teachings of Jesus. Are these people Christians? As the hymn by Raymond Scholtes says, “they will know we are Christians by our love.” Christians are those who in their hearts believe in the love and power of Jesus and in their lives spread this love to the world. PRAYER Loving God, in the name of your loving son, Jesus, guide me through my day such that my thoughts, words, and actions clearly acknowledge that I am a Christ-follower. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Kris Baker Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE John 16.33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” WORDS OF HOPE In these times, the world is experiencing world-wide political pressure many of us have not ever experienced. A lot of us are in despair, but I like looking at the silver lining of things. This opportunity is no exception. In a world that moves too fast and is often too social, it is necessary to remember the more peaceful times and take the opportunity to savor them. A very good friend lived this out by example when he purposely chose to slow down and savor his favorite foods. When I think of this, my mind is flooded with the things for which I’ve lost the savoring touch, not just of certain foods, but mundane routines, chores, self-care. I invite you to savor this very moment for a start; then pause and think of other things you would love to savor again. Did you make a mental list? Think of just one example. When was the last time you considered savoring it? Since I don’t know your list, I’ll share mine and a little of my method. I’m imagining heavy raindrops falling in slow motion. The feeling of them falling on my face and enjoying being wet. Not too cold; not too warm. Then I move on to the usual. When I go to the gym, I tend to be on a mission to finish as quickly as possible. I’m neither present nor relaxed into that quality time of self-care. But imagine thinking about the muscles you’re using and focusing, not on being finished, but simply being present in mind with your body. What’s another ordinary thing to savor? Is it dusting, washing your car or gardening as a meditation? Many of us take time out for regular times of prayer, but do we savor those times? During these current frustrations and changes in the world, we’re invited by change itself to reinvent the ways we live and to enjoy the peace of those moments. PRAYER Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, to which we were called in one body. And may we be thankful in savoring the gift of that peace. DEVOTION AUTHOR  Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE  Philippians 2:29-30 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. WORDS OF HOPE Little known and hard to pronounce Epaphroditus plays a key role in biblical history. While the Apostle Paul is in prison, the Philippians put together a “care package” and sent it to Paul via Epaphroditus. Going above and beyond the call of duty, Epaphroditus becomes seriously ill in his fervor to serve the Lord by taking care of Paul. When he recovers, Paul sends him back home with much joy and relief. In his hands, Epaphroditus delivers the original manuscript of the book of Philippians to the church in Caesarea Philippi. Paul is so taken by the eagerness, selflessness, and faithfulness of Epaphroditus, he thinks of him not as just a messenger, but as a “brother”, a “co-worker”, and a “fellow soldier.” Epaphroditus modeled the mind of Christ by putting the “interest of others” before his own. We know people like this in our own lives. We find Epaphroditus in our serving ministries, creating meals, waiting on tables, delivering food, and offering a listening ear. We find Epaphroditus making Spring Break packages for at-risk elementary children to take home and enjoy. Care packages are shared from the front seat of Epaphroditus’ car to the homeless and hungry poor on the sidewalk. Wherever you see a person serving behind the scenes, without notoriety or fanfare, you see eager Epaphroditus. Many times, it is a servant like him who stands by the person who is burdened with and called to leadership. Offering not only the care package from the community, but a strong shoulder upon which the leader can lean on. Too often, these selfless servants can run themselves so ragged that they themselves can become in need of rest and recovery. All the more reason, says Paul, to rejoice and be glad that any given Epaphroditus is in our lives. In just a few short verses of Philippians, Paul lifts up the example of a servant who labored on his behalf. We give thanks for Epaphroditus and those people who stand by leadership with a helping hand, encouragement, and love. PRAYER Heavenly Father, We thank You for the example of Epaphroditus, a faithful servant who gave his all for Your work. His dedication, courage, and love fora others remind us of the selfless life You call us to live. Lord, may we be inspired by his commitment, offering our lives in service to You and to those around us. Strengthen us in times of weakness and help us persevere, just as Epaphroditus did, always seeking to honor You in all that we do. In Jesus' name, Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs