Author: fmpastor

Read Amos 8:1-12.

This reading begins with a vision of abundance. We can almost taste the sweetness of the summer fruit. We can almost see it glistening in the summer light. But then the Lord proceeds to tell Amos, “The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass them by.” It is as if the basket of fruit is meant to remind them of the promise God made to Israel in bringing them out of Egypt to the land “flowing with milk and honey”. It is the life they were promised as part of God’s covenant.

Of course, for a covenant to hold, both parties must uphold their end of it. Israel has turned from God’s way, trampling on the needy and bringing ruin to the poor. They are going through the motions of the sabbath, anxious for it to be over so they can get back to making money rather than using it as a time for restoration and reconnection with God. Because of this, God will no longer “pass them by”. In essence, God will allow them to suffer the consequences of their actions and, since they’re not listening anyway, stop speaking to them.

What industries in the world today trample on the needy or bring ruin to the poor? To what degree do you think these practices have contributed to the violence, hatred, division, and lack of hope that we are seeing in our world today? How might we, as people of faith, work for change in these industries? What is our personal responsibility towards caring for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized? How might tending to these needs restore relationship with God and with each other, making us more ready to hear the voice of God?

In prayer, consider what God might be speaking into your life right now and pray for the openness to not only hear it, but to be transformed by it.

Read Luke 10:25-37.

For many, this is a familiar story. What we sometimes forget is the scandalous nature of who Jesus uses as the hero of the story. The Jews thought Samaritans were disgusting and worthless, but Jesus insists that God can work even through people like these. Over and over throughout his ministry, Jesus challenges assumptions about who is worthy, about who is righteous, about who is acceptable in the sight of God. Both in practice and in word, Jesus notices people who are hurting and tends to their wounds, whether those wounds are physical, spiritual, or emotional.

Who are the people you might overlook or actively ignore? Who are the people you might view as a lost cause? What might help you to see the God-print in these people and recognize them as your neighbor? What boundaries does this story invite you to cross?

In prayer, ask God to help you set aside your prejudices so that you can expand your understanding of neighbor.

Read Colossians 1:1-14.

In this greeting, Paul affirms the spiritual growth and maturity of the Christian community at Colossae. This is not only seen in the number of people in the city coming to Christ, but it is also seen in their own deepening and practice of faith. For Paul, the task of the church is to strike a balance between evangelism, discipleship, and personal growth. The strength of the community’s faith can be determined by the fruit they are bearing.

Think of the ministries of our church. Which are bearing fruit? How might some of them be pruned in order to promote growth? What might act as fertilizer?

Pray God’s blessing over each of the ministries you have thought of and ask for an open heart towards new ministries of which you might be a part.

Read Psalm 82.

Like yesterday’s reading, this passage is addressed to a nation that is not sharing in God’s values of justice and compassion. We read in verses 2-4, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Imagine that these verses were written to our own nation. How well do we enact these values as a country? How do we determine what is just and who is wicked? Who are the weak, lowly, and destitute among us? What would it look like to rescue these people? What would it look like, instead, to come alongside them? In what ways do you work for justice in your own life? How might the church be a stronger voice for justice and compassion in the midst of diverse perspectives on what that looks like?

In prayer, ask for direction in how you might become a part of enacting God’s justice in our community or world.

Read Amos 7:7-17.

The Israel to whom Amos is speaking is on top of the world. The nation is flourishing economically and politically. The trouble, though, is that success is at the expense of justice and equity. There is a broad chasm between the rich and powerful, and the poor and powerless. No heed is being given to God’s command to care for the downtrodden and the distressed. Little concern is given to the widows, orphans, outcasts, or foreigners in their midst. Amos’ prophecy is not one that is particularly welcome to the people of Israel. Instead, they would rather Amos go somewhere else to preach his message of gloom and doom.

When things are going well, how motivated are you to look at the underbelly of success, whether it be the success of our own nation, our church, or in your personal life? Have you ever gotten a message that may, in fact, have come from God, but makes you feel defensive? How have you responded to the person who shared it or the source from which it came?

In prayer, ask God to help you be able to discern God’s word in the many voices around you.

Read Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.

In this reading, Jesus sends seventy followers ahead of him to share the news that the kingdom of God has come near. At the core of his instructions is the word peace – specifically God’s peace –shalom, which can be translated as well-being or wholeness. The first thing they are to say when they enter a house is, “Peace to this house.” He goes on to say that whoever shares in that peace will receive the followers’ peace, but if they don’t, their peace will return to them. What this tells us is that if a person isn’t receptive to the followers’ message, that does not diminish God’s peace that dwells within them. Rather than react with anger and judgment, Jesus’ followers are to continue to be present in the house, receiving whatever hospitality is offered them.

I wonder if Jesus knew that sometimes actions are more convincing than words. If someone was wishing us the peace of God, but then cursed or condemned us when we were uncertain or had questions or even pushed back a little, we might have a hard time trusting their words. Alternatively, if someone was wishing us the peace of God and we didn’t receive it whole-heartedly right away, and they stayed with us peaceably, not harping, but just being present? That might have a completely different outcome. Jesus understood people. He knew these instructions were important for his disciples then and they’re important for us now. They speak of being responsive in a world that is so reactive.

Can you think of a time when someone challenged or scoffed at your beliefs, whether it was your beliefs around Jesus, around certain social issues, around politics? In that instance, did you respond or did you react? Did their lack of receptivity affect the way you treated them or related to them? What wisdom do you find in Jesus’ instructions for situations like these?

In prayer, ask God to continue to fill you with the peace that passes all understanding.

Read Galatians 6:7-16.

In these words, we find a commonly-used phrase: You reap what you sow. This is generally used when we see someone behaving badly and we anticipate some sort of comeuppance. But in these verses, Paul encourages the faithful to sow the seeds of the Spirit. Remember, in the previous chapter, he gave a partial list of the fruit of the Spirit and included traits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. While there are weeds that tend to pop up every so often, the seeds of the Spirit return a much more abundant harvest than those of the flesh. And the best place to plant those seeds? In relationship with others.

Paul says, “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all….” (I intentionally omit the end of that sentence because I bristle at the idea that those within the community of faith should be favored over those who are not.) This passage brings to mind Jesus’ parable of the sower. If the soil is fertile and the seed is good, it’s going to take root. May we consider the seeds we sow in the words we speak, in the way we treat others, and in the way we respond to the needs of the world around us.

In prayer, ask God to fill you with a fruitful spirit and for a bountiful harvest of any seeds you may be sowing.

Read Psalm 30.

We read in verse 5, “For God’s anger is but for a moment; God’s favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” This psalm is a celebration of God’s forgiving nature. According to the psalmist, our sin makes God angry, but because of God’s steadfast love, we are quickly forgiven. How readily do we forgive others? How readily do we forgive ourselves when we have sinned against God or against someone else?

We all have done something or said something that we cannot seem to forgive of ourselves. I wonder if it is possible to forgive ourselves even if we cannot forget. Maybe we aren’t intended to forget anyway. Maybe remembering helps us to avoid repeating the harm. Can we fully accept the forgiveness of God while failing to forgive ourselves or others? What steps might you take in your life to become more forgiving of yourself and more forgiving of others?

Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s undying love and unending forgiveness. Commit yourself to becoming a person who models that same forgiveness in your own life.

Read 2 Kings 5:1-14.

Naaman, who has had great military success and has garnered the respect of his king, is desperate to be healed of his leprosy. He receives word from his wife’s servant that the cure would be found with the prophet of Israel. Notice that Naaman doesn’t go to the prophet. Instead, he goes to the king of Israel. Clearly, he believes only someone of such high standing can be trusted with his care. After the king rejects his request, Naaman arrives at the door of the prophet Elisha, who gives instructions through a messenger. Rather than being grateful for an easy, painless cure, Naaman is insulted that Elisha didn’t show him what he believed to be the respect he deserved. If it hadn’t been for the encouragement of his trusted servants, Naaman’s pride would have prevented his healing.

We don’t often think about pride as an impediment, let alone a sin. Pride often prevents us from admitting we are wrong, from offering sincere apologies, or from asking for help. As in Naaman’s case, sometimes pride shows up as ingratitude. Can you think of times when pride has undermined your closeness to God or to others? Have there been times when pride has prevented you from asking for or accepting help? In what ways does pride affect the way you see yourself or others? What is the difference between pride and confidence? Is there such a thing as healthy pride?

In prayer, ask God to show you where pride is showing up as sin in your life and for help in addressing the issue.

Read Luke 9:51-62.

The second half of this reading speaks to Jesus’ insistence that discipleship isn’t always easy. It comes after his disciples get caught up in their response to the Samaritan village’s refusal to receive Jesus. In the same way we often do when someone we love has been hurt, they go straight to judgment and vengeance. We not only go there when people we hold near and dear are threatened, but also when we feel our ideas and beliefs are being attacked. Jesus, who apparently had expected a hospitable reception, rebukes James and John when they try to make the village pay for their refusal of him. He simply walks past and goes to the next village.

What does this show us about a human response vs. Jesus’ response to perceived harm or resistance? Maybe this is an example of the difficult path of discipleship. The easy response is to react to negative encounters with judgment and retribution. The harder path is to try to find understanding, to look for the root of the resistance, to wish the person well, and to move on. Can you think of a situation when you wished fire would rain down on someone and consume them (or maybe a less dramatic wish for harm)? Did those thoughts help in resolving the issue? What might have been a better and more helpful response? How does Jesus’ response in this situation give guidance to you as a follower?

In prayer, consider someone you have a problem with and offer a prayer of blessing over them. Leave it at that.