Wednesday - January 31, 2024

The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas

SCRIPTURE


Mark 5. 1-20


Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man


They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.


When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”


Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”


“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.


A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.


Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.


As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.


WORDS OF HOPE


At first glance, this scripture seems a little weird. Jesus arrives on the other side of the sea and is confronted by a man who has made his home among the tombs, among the dead. This is his environment and his expectation based of his circumstances and Jesus meets him. Mark says that the man fell to his knees at the sight of Jesus and is confronted by his own question, “What do you want from me?” In the ensuing conversation Jesus offers him freedom from the impure spirits that had tormented him and sends them into surrounding pigs who run off, rushing down a steep bank and into a lake where they are drowned.


Those who witnessed these events, those who saw the impact of Jesus’ encounter with the man were both confused and perhaps frightened, asking Jesus to leave their region. The man is left to witness to his own people just what Jesus had done for him and, with his testimony, the people were amazed.


Of course, as with all Scripture you must be able to contextualize them within the times that they are written. Pigs are not kosher and the book of Deuteronomy states that the Israelites shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcass. In their tradition they are unclean, and it is understandable why pigs are used in this miracle.


The bigger story, for me, in this miracle is in the question that the man asks of Jesus, ““What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” While this is a question from within him, from the “legion”, this is a question that is vital for us all.


We are so often taught a theology of asking God for things. This is not a bad thing. In my daily prayers I often find myself asking God for things, for answers, for other people to be blessed. However, it is less regular that I sit in my own life and ask God to tell me what God wants from me. Is this your story as well?


The more I thought about this today, the more I realized that perhaps, if I spent more time asking God this question, perhaps I would have more clarity for my life and my vocational work.


Believe me, I am grateful to a God who has often rescued me from numerous situations that could lead me on a destructive path or a path that is not beneficial. I am grateful to God who has offered me ways to follow the call that I believe that God has placed in front of me. I am grateful to God who reminds me every day that my everyday actions can make a difference. Today, I am convicted by the question what more can I do for God and what does God want from me.


The conclusion of this story is a testimony to what happens when you are listening to God’s response to our question. For the man in the story, he found wholeness and healing. He found a new life that bore testimony to others, leading them to belief in Jesus.


Friends, our story is a testimony for others and Jesus calls us to live our story – a story that is still evolving and not yet finished. However, this story has an impact and will help others to see your changed life. This is the miracle.


In the words of one of my favorite hymns, Amazing Grace, “I once was lost but now I’m found.”


May we take a moment, amid our asking God for blessings, to also ask God, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”


PRAYER


God, thank you for your faithfulness toward me, hearing my prayers and responding to my needs. Hear me today, O God, as I ask You – What do you want from me? Amen.


DEVOTION AUTHOR


The Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas

Senior Pastor

Pronouns: he/his/him

Need Some Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Monday - October 5, 2026

By Jan Nunn • October 5, 2026
SCRIPTURE  Matthew 25:35 – 46 …for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You as a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ WORDS OF HOPE Monday, October 5 is World Habitat Day. This year's theme is "Adequate Housing for All." United Nations Human Settlements Programme is the agency leading this focus. They are addressing the global housing crisis, where billions face inadequate living conditions or reside in informal settlements, and reinforcing adequate shelter as a basic human right. I think it is a sad situation for housing in a country whose wealth is enormous! The top 1% in America owns nearly 50% of the stock market and a third of total wealth. The top 10% in America controls roughly 87.2% of corporate equities. The bottom 50% possesses roughly 1% to 2.5% of total household wealth. These are sad facts about America! It is heartbreaking to see the large number of unhoused people just in our city. I see 25 to 50 people just on my Tuesday drive to my volunteer job at the Arboretum every Tuesday morning in one spot. And our church feeds housing-insecure people every week! Hundreds of them. I don’t know about other cities, but Dallas has very little affordable housing. It is nearly impossible for a single parent working one job in Dallas to afford housing for their family unless they have a fantastic job. Average low rent for houses is $1,939 and apartments is $1,406. On top of that, childcare averages $2,711 for 130 hours of care a month for one child. These are averages and it is hard to find suitable housing at the average price! Let us be aware today of those who struggle to find housing! Let those of us blessed with adequate shelter be grateful for our homes! Let us continue to help at least feed those who have struggles in their life through the programs at Cathedral of Hope to at least help in one way! PRAYER God who loves us all and wishes abundant life, we pray that all our neighbors across the whole world can live in suitable housing. DEVOTION AUTHOR Jan Nunn CoH Volunteer

Saturday _ October 3, 2026

By Weber Baker • October 3, 2026
Today, October 03, is the 800 th Anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis In his remembrance: The Canticle of the Creatures by St. Francis of Assisi Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, and the honor, and all blessing, To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no human is worthy to mention Your name. Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, Who is the day and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor; and bears a likeness of You, Most High One. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather, through whom You give sustenance to Your creatures. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs. … Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks and serve Him with great humility.

Friday - October 2, 2026

By Thomas Riggs • October 2, 2026
SCRIPTURE Romans 10:15b How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. WORDS OF HOPE The spouse who sits bed side in the emergency room, staring into the eyes of their beloved, holding them in love to ease their discomfort and uncertainty. The cafeteria worker who puts a little extra pudding on the tray of a child whose school lunch debt was paid off and the anonymous donor who gave up his prison earnings so that a kid could eat. The older sibling picking up their younger sister from the couch, half asleep and droopy, and putting them in their own bed and then returning to the couch to sleep a few hours before their mother comes home from her third shift. The aid worker who holds the frightened, screaming mother in their arms as the first responders dig through the rubble looking for survivors in the bombed-out house in Ukraine, or Gaza, or Iran. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. The night shift worker who tells a joke about a priest, a rabbi, and a bartender in the break room to lift the spirits of their weary co-workers, providing a moment of levity and laughter before returning to sweep and mop. The Meals on Wheels volunteer who brings not only a warm tray of chicken and rice, but also a button-up sweater they spotted at a thrift store for the elderly shut-in living alone in a little house off the main road, mostly unseen by the world passing by. The kind stranger who pulls off the road to help a single mother change a flat tire, using his own jack and tire iron. He offers to take the damaged tire to be repaired and promises to bring it back. Before leaving, he slips a $50 bill onto the front seat and gives a wink to the two kids watching from the back. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. The highly paid first-world surgeon who spends a month every year in the rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dispensing HIV-medicine, delivering babies, and teaching hygiene to the poorest of the poor on the outskirts of the city. The classroom of Texas third graders and their amazing teacher, who hold a walk-a-thon and a bake sale and a book reading contest to raise money for another classroom of third graders and their amazing teacher in Honduras. The young man who, on his daily jog through the park, finds a shivering, whimpering dog abandoned in the bushes. He takes her home, feeds her, and holds her until she finally relaxes and falls asleep among blankets and pillows. Best of all, he gives her a name—and a home to call her own. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Behind the scenes, without social media hype, and with insufficient funds, beautiful feet are bringing good news. Jesus bids us to walk with our feet to places where light, life, love, hope and peace are needed. PRAYER From the Service of Compline in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR  Thomas Riggs

Thursday - October 1, 2026

By Dan Peeler • October 1, 2026
SCRIPTURE Colossians 2.16-17 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. WORDS OF HOPE I’ve heard it said (by an irreverent friend) that the first thing Jesus would do on his return would be to eliminate religion, especially regarding all the random rituals, rules of do’s and don’t’s, and especially lists of people to hate or fear in what some denominations define as today’s Christianity. The Bible reading of the day indicates that the Apostle Paul would not endorse their judgments. Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians while imprisoned in Rome, a political prisoner of people who considered his teachings both blasphemous to their religion and a threat to the oppressive State. While following his calling to spread the substance of the Love message taught by Jesus, the Apostle spent most of his time contending with the corruption of the Temple authorities at home coupled with the authoritarianism of the Roman religion which declared Caesar was God. Religion condemned Paul to a lot of jail time.  The Letters to new converts like the Colossians make it obvious to us that Paul was often engaged in damage control as he answered questions that we will never read, clarifying false notions about religious practices that pre-dated the love-centered teachings of the Christ. His readers just couldn’t comprehend that Jesus’ love had no conditions. He was offering them freedom from old rules, not presenting them with a collection of new ones. Freedom from religion was a concept people of the first century had great difficulty grasping. Some were gentiles who lived under the rule of Rome’s State Religion based on the statutes of multiple deities who required countless religious rituals and duties. Others were Paul’s Jewish brethren who still lived under the Hebrew Scripture’s list of not just 10, but 613 Commandments. Then along came Jesus who simply stated: “Love one another,” saying, “I have not come to abolish the [Commandments] but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17). -In other words, Freedom from Religion. It’s not difficult to understand why the corrupt leaders of both church and state hated Jesus. He made their oppressive control systems obsolete and awarded the people they ruled with the gift of individual freedom. That doesn’t mean that people like Paul would be exempt from persecution, but that he would be assured wherever he was in the physical world, his spirit would be forever free. He knew that it was the power brokers and false prophets who would never know freedom, imprisoning themselves in a narrow belief system that promoted what they wanted to be true for their own benefit. They would spend their lives passing judgment, demanding rituals, forcing their exclusive beliefs on others, promoting hatred for anyone outside their own closed system. And, sad to say, their descendants are still among us. They were truly shadows of the things to come, never knowing the substance belongs to Christ. PRAYER Thank you for the plain teachings of Jesus, whose message of universal love needs no clarifications or amendments, only practice and the privilege to serve others as he would serve them. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Wednesday - September 30, 2026

By Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas • September 30, 2026
SCRIPTURE Romans 10:15b–21 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” WORDS OF HOPE A Faith That Finds Its Voice There is something beautiful about a voice that carries good news. Paul reminds us in Romans 10 that faith is not meant to be silent. The good news is something we hear, something we share, and ultimately something we embody through the way we live. But what is the good news? For me, the good news is not a message of exclusion, judgment, or fear. It is the message we see in the life and teachings of Jesus: that God’s love is wider than we imagine, grace is deeper than we deserve, and every person is worthy of dignity, welcome, and belonging. That is part of what makes Cathedral of Hope such a sacred community. We believe in a Gospel that welcomes all people, no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey. Our faith calls us to move beyond simply hearing the good news and to become the good news for others through radical inclusivity, passionate worship, compassionate service, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Today is also Kids’ Music Day, and I cannot help but think about my daughter, Sofia, and her love of music. There is something wonderful about watching a child discover the power of music, the excitement of finding a melody, learning a rhythm, or discovering that her own voice can contribute to something bigger than herself. Perhaps that is a picture of faith, too. Every one of us has a voice. Every one of us has a song, and the world desperately needs voices that speak hope into the world. Paul reminds us that not everyone will listen. Some will resist. Some will turn away. Yet our calling remains the same: to keep sharing the good news. So today, let us ask ourselves: What song is my life singing? What good news am I carrying into the world? May our words, our actions, our worship, and our lives proclaim the radical love of God, and may the world hear in us a beautiful song of proclaiming Christ through faith, hope, and love. PRAYER God of every voice and every song, help us carry your good news into a world that needs hope. May our lives become instruments of your love, justice, welcome, and peace. Give us courage to speak, humility to listen, and hearts willing to make room for everyone. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas Senior Pastor Cathedral of Hope. Dallas

Tuesday - September 29, 2026

By David Sims • September 29, 2026
SCRIPTURE Philippians 1:18-20 NIV But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. WORDS OF HOPE Many years ago, while working in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Arkansas, I reached a point in my career when I felt confident about where I was headed. I had several years of experience, understood the inner workings of the department, had been successful in my work, and had a good record as an employee. I had worked hard, and I believed the next step would naturally be a supervisory position. When that position became available, I applied. Honestly, I expected to get it. Then something happened I wasn't prepared for. Someone from another university—an outsider who didn't know our department, our people, or our way of doing things—applied for the position. That person was hired and became my supervisor. I wish I could say that I immediately welcomed the decision with complete grace and enthusiasm. But I didn't. I could congratulate the new supervisor on the outside while wrestling with something very different on the inside: “What about me? I worked hard, too. I have the experience. I have been here longer. Didn't that count for something?” My disappointment was real, and if I'm honest, so was my struggle to rejoice in someone else's success. Years later, I read Paul's words in Philippians. Paul writes about people proclaiming Christ with motives that weren’t entirely pure. However, his response is remarkably simple: “What does it matter? The important thing is that in every way Christ is being preached. And because of this I rejoice.” Paul was able to move his attention away from himself and move toward something greater than himself. The question was no longer, “Who gets the credit?” but “Is Christ being proclaimed?” That challenges me because I know how easy it is to make someone else's success a measurement of my own worth. When another person receives the position, the praise, the recognition, or the spotlight I wanted, I can feel as though their light somehow makes mine dimmer. But perhaps that is not how God sees it at all. God has not asked me to compete with another person's light. He has asked me to be faithful with the light He has given me. A candle does not become less of a candle because another candle burns more brightly. And when one candle lights another, the room does not become darker—it becomes brighter. Perhaps that is what Paul was learning, and what I am still learning. A nother person's success is not my failure, another person's recognition is not my rejection, and another person's light does not diminish the light God has entrusted to me. RECEIVE THIS BLESSING O Lord, help me to learn to genuinely rejoice and learn to say, even when it is difficult, “God, thank you for the gifts You have given that person. Let their light shine.” DEVOTION AUTHOR David Sims, Deacon
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