Lectionary readings for the week of August 6th:
2 Sam. 18:5-9, 15, 31-33
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 130 (read everyday)
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51
We've been following the lectionary this summer and here are this week's readings:
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13
Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15
Psalm 51:1-12
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
Read and reflect on one each day and as the week progresses start to note the theme(s) that run through the passages.
Lectionary Readings for This Week:
2 Samuel 7:1-14
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
“What if I tell them who they are? What if I take away any element of fear in condemnation, judgment, or rejection? What if I tell them I love them, will always love them? That I love them right now, no matter what they’ve done, as much as I love my only Son? That there’s nothing they can do to make my love go away?
“What if I tell them there are no lists? What if I tell them I don’t keep a log of past offenses, of how little they pray, how often they’ve let me down, made promises that they don’t keep? What if I tell them they are righteous, with my righteousness, right now? What if I tell them they can stop beating themselves up? That they can stop being so formal, stiff, and jumpy around me. What if I tell them I’m crazy about them? What if I tell them, even if they run to the ends of the earth and do the most horrible, unthinkable things, that when they come back I’d receive them with tears and a party?
“What if I tell them that if I am their Savior, they’re going to heaven no matter what – it’s a done deal? What if I tell them they have a new nature – saints, not saved sinners who should now ‘buck-up and be better if they were any kind of Christians, after all he’s done for you!’ What if I tell them that I actually live in them now? That I’ve put my love, power, and nature inside of them, at their disposal? What if I tell them that they don’t have to put on a mask? That it is ok to be who they are at this moment, with all their junk. That they don’t need to pretend about how close we are, how much they pray or don’t, how much Bible they read or don’t. What if they knew they don’t have to look over their shoulder for fear if things get too good, the other shoe’s gonna drop?
“What if they knew I will never, ever use the word punish in relation to them? What if they knew that when they mess up, I will never get back at them? What if they were convinced that bad circumstances aren’t my way of evening the score for taking advantage of me? What if they knew the basis of our friendship isn’t how little they sin, but how much they let me love them? What if I tell them they can hurt my heart, but that I never hurt theirs? What if I tell them I like Eric Clapton’s music too? What if I tell them I never really like the Christmas hand bell deal with the white gloves? What if I tell them they can open their eyes when they pray and still go to heaven? What if I tell them there is no secret agenda, no trapdoor? What if I tell them it isn’t about their self-effort, but about allowing me to live my life through them?”
True Faced, by John Lynch
Readings
Read Luke 2:1-20
At the time when Jesus was born, shepherds weren’t considered to be very important. They had important work to do, but they weren’t people that others might necessarily invite to their homes. Yet they were invited to meet the baby Jesus.
Who do you know that may feel excluded or left out?
Who do we know who might feel or be alone this Christmas?
Join hands together. Name those who come to mind that on this Christmas Eve are alone and forgotten.
Together, think of a way you can recognize and remember some of the forgotten people.
Together, pray for the forgotten people in your home, your church, or your community.
Readings
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 89:19-26
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38, 1:46-55