Tag: The Spirit

1 Chronicles 24: Minutiae
1 Chronicles 24: Minutiae

Saturday, November 23, 2024

The High Priest Zadok
When we discover that we focus on the minutiae of life rather than its living, we know that we have stepped over a line. When we begin to split hairs and argue the details, we know that we have gone a bit too far. When we become fascinated by the rules and parameters rather than the Spirit, we must take a step back and evaluate. Today we have an opportunity to reflect on the minutiae and the living of our lives.

“Historically, this organizational system [of priestly duties] was developed only after the return from Babylon and not in David’s day. Two motivations led to its development. The first is a practical matter: the increased number of priests required a rotation of priestly duties. Second, this ordering of the priesthood may have been an attempt to resolve a squabble between the line of Abiathar, banned from the priesthood by Solomon (1 Kings 2:26), and the line of Zadok, represented by those priests returning from exile . . . [in which] both are linked with Aaron through his two sons”. (Mays 323)

Giotto: Abiathar
In this example of revisionism we see the ancient struggle with minutiae which remains with us today. We fuss about who sits where and who wears what and who knows whom rather than focus on overcoming our fears and living our life to our fullest potential. We have seen this before; we understand the truth of these words. Deep within we know that must put aside our fretting over details and forget about any hierarchy we construct to turn instead to God’s generous goodness and high goals. Rather than lust after a name or position in society, rather than amass possessions to leave to our heirs, we must respond to God’s call.

Our true example is Jesus Christ, not the most popular person we know. And our true goal is to love as God loves us, not to love for the sake of gaining something. With all of this in mind, we remember those who squabble over petty gains, we remind ourselves that our vocation must be more than minutiae, and we ask for God’s blessing in all we do.

Mays, James L., ed. HARPERCOLLINS BIBLE COMMENTARY. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1988. 323. Print.

First written on November 15, 2010, re-written and posted today as a Favorite.

For more on Zadok or Abiathar click on the images above or go to: http://www.realmagick.com/zadok-high-priest-zadok-in-the-bible/ and http://spectrummagazine.org/node/2759
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November 23, 2024

material versus spiritual, revisionism, status, The Spirit
Psalm 16: Seek Confidence
Psalm 16: Seek Confidence

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Trust

When we begin to trust God, we grow in confidence. When we grow in confidence, we are better able to trust God.

You, Lord, are all I have,
    and you give me all I need;
    my future is in your hands.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
    how good they are!

This is a beautiful prayer of Trust in God’s love for us – for his safekeeping of us. I like the metaphor of the Cup. It may refer to our daily drinking from the chalice of Christ’s sacrifice for us; or it may refer to our own willingness to offer our lives back to God as a blessing in the Cup of Our Lives.

God says: You have every reason to doubt my existence; but know that I move in you as the Spirit of goodness, justice, truth and mercy.

And so I am thankful and glad,
    and I feel completely secure,
because you protect me from the power of death.
I have served you faithfully,
    and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

God says: You have every reason to believe in me. I have created a world in which you have freedom of choice and the promise of my strength and guidance.

I praise the Lord, because God guides me,
    and in the night my conscience warns me.
I am always aware of the Lord’s presence;
    God is near, and nothing can shake me.

God says: When you read these verses today, rely on my deep and constant love for you.

You will show me the path that leads to life;
    your presence fills me with joy
    and brings me pleasure forever.

God says: Each time you recite these verses, my Spirit rises in you as it calls you to join me in the great mystery I have planned for us.

Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    all the good things I have come from you.”

God says: You have every reason to doubt me. You have every reason to believe in me. Today I call on the Spirit within you. Today I call you to place your trust in me. Today I ask you choose to grow and live in my love, mercy and confidence.

Image from: http://www.pulse.ng/communities/religion/daily-devotion-august-4-2016-trust-god-for-he-has-an-amazing-plan-for-your-life-id5340775.html

Adapted from a reflection written on July 1, 2007.
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November 3, 2024

God, God’s goodness, God’s justice, God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s plan, God’s truth, The Cup, The Spirit, trust
Proverbs 12: If You Love Learning
Proverbs 12: If You Love Learning

Thursday, July 18, 2024

The school in which I teach has a front portico with seven columns as a direct, overt message that we seek knowledge. (See Proverbs 9.) The school motto is: Veritatem prosequimur – Pursue truth. For an institution of learning, the image of Wisdom building her house is apt. Today we explore several verses from Chapter 12 as we reflect on the value of taking advice.

If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—
    how shortsighted to refuse correction!

Acceptance of a valid critique is a sign of strength rather than weakness.

You can’t find firm footing in a swamp,
    but life rooted in God stands firm.

Building our spiritual house on Christ is a sign of our confidence in The Word.

The words of the wicked kill;
    the speech of the upright saves.

The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
    the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

Sharing The Word with others is an invitation to the Spirit.

Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
    the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

Living The Word brings us fortitude rather than fear.

Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
    peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

No evil can overwhelm a good person,
    but the wicked have their hands full of it.

Living as Jesus teaches is a sign of courage rather than submission.

Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;
    talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

Sharing The Word in the Spirit is a sign that the Kingdom of God is here. The Kingdom of God is now.

When we compare other translations of these verses, we find that a love of learning is essential for workers in the Kingdom.

Image from: https://knowledge.insead.edu/blog/insead-blog/entrepreneurs-must-balance-specialisation-with-general-knowledge-5591
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July 18, 2024

advice, courage, fortitude, strength, the kingdom, The Spirit, The Word
1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part III Thursday, May 11, 2017
1 Peter 3:8-22: Salvific Suffering – Part III

The Sadducees

Friday, May 10, 2024

What do we fear . . . and why?

We reflect on the story of the early apostles (Acts 5) as they remain faithful to Christ while suffering and rejoicing with equal energy and passion. When we open ourselves to God’s generosity, we come away refreshed and encouraged with the news that when we respond to the call to do God’s work, we know that we quickly find God in the obstacles that surround us. We know that we are Rocks in company with Peter; we know that we can serve as foundations of the living temple; we see that we are able confront corrupt authority; we can rejoice in our suffering to bringing truth and light to the world.

When we reflect on this story, we understand that a small group of the faithful, through the power and love of the risen Christ, successfully challenges the old guard. We realize that the Sadducees are afraid to order a sentence of death on these Jesus-followers because they fear the people will revolt. They fear the power of the Spirit.

There is irony in this story. Those who inflict fear on others eventually experience fear themselves. This we see the power of the Spirit unfold, rising from fear to bring us peace. This,we begin to understand, is the gift of salvific suffering.

And so today we ask ourselves, what do we fear, and why?

Tomorrow, how do we suffer with Christ?

Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.

Image from: http://goossengrapevine.blogspot.com/2006/07/encounters-with-sadducees.html
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May 10, 2024

Acts 5, fear, fidelity, power, Sadducees, The Spirit
Matthew 7:7-8: So Very Good
Matthew 7:7-8: So Very Good

Monday, December 11, 2023

This week we explore how to put our love on the line just as the Creator does by abiding with us, just as Jesus does as he shows us The Way, and just as the Spirit does as she comforts and remains in us.

In Genesis 1:31 we are told that God looks at Adam and Eve in the garden of creation and declares that it was good, so very good! It was evening, it was morning – Day Six.

Matthew bring to us the words of our brother, Jesus: Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. (MSG)

If we are to lay our love on the line, we must be direct with God. If we are to have solid and honest relationships, we must be open with our loved ones. If we are to establish bridges with our enemies, we must be straightforward, authentic, and open to the wisdom of the Spirit. If we are to put our love on the line . . . we know quite well what we are to do.

When we compare other translations of these verses, we find that God shows us how The Way. We know that we will need to remain in constant communication with our Creator, Brother and Spirit if we are to know just how and where to go. And we will come to understand that it is good, so very good.

Image from: http://printsofgrace.blogspot.com/2013/07/ask-seek-knock.html
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December 11, 2023

Genesis 1:31, The Spirit, The Way
Mark 7:36-37: Our Words
Mark 7:36-37: Our Words

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

He’s done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless.

God has gifted us with the gift of words. Today we reflect on the purpose of this gift and the use of our own words in our daily lives.

“Watch your words diligently. Words have such great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in my image. You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.

“Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak . . . If [people around you] are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your joy will amaze you”. (Young 126)

In her wonderful devotional, JESUS CALLING, Sarah Young bases daily reflections on scripture. She brings us wisdom that we might want to use in a modern climate of insults and one-liner sound bites are meant for broadcast news. Jesus comes to as THE WORD of the loving presence that created us in an image of goodness and compassion. When we take in the words that flood around us it is so frequently difficult to distinguish truth from lie; but what is easier to distinguish is ego versus selflessness, greed versus generosity, false fruit versus abundant fruit. When we are confused about whose words we are to believe or reject, Young presents us with a distillation of God’s message: we must rely on the Spirit for guidance, we must depend on Jesus as an example, and we must trust in the Creator who has created us in God’s image in and for love alone.

Tomorrow, healing the paralyzed man.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2004. Print.

Image from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-words-reyaz-mohemmad/?trk=mp-reader-card

JESUS CALLING image from: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=KsPNZ_EY1BgC&source=productsearch&utm_source=HA_Desktop_US&utm_medium=SEM&utm_campaign=PLA&pcampaignid=MKTAD0930BO1&gl=US&gclid=CNj9qrvFpc4CFUGFNwodH9QC2w&gclsrc=ds
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August 16, 2023

God is love, Jesus Calling, Sarah Young, The Spirit, The Word
Mark 12:13-17: A Prayer for Paying Taxes and Tithes
Mark 12:13-17: A Prayer for Paying Taxes and Tithes

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don’t pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

Jesus is The Word of God, the light in the darkness, the rescuer of souls. In our conversations with Jesus, we might well ask the same question: must I pay attention to the institutions and systems put in place by humankind?

He knew it was a trick question, and said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it.” They handed him one.

Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Man, the bringer of good news and redemption. In our prayer with God, we might well hear the same question: why do you complicate your life and what is it you are really asking of me?

“This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”

“Caesar,” they said.

Jesus said, “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is God’s.”

The Spirit lives in each of us, even those of us who appear to ignore the presence of the healing, living God. In our interactions with all of creation, we hear the same commandment. Love me as you love yourself, love your neighbor and even your enemies as yourself, and live in my presence always. This is all I ask of you.

Their mouths hung open, speechless.

In our interactions with God the creator, God the Son and God the Spirit we hear a consistent message, we are in this world but not of it; we are made in God’s image and we are children of God; we made in and for love, love to be shared and not harbored, love that takes risks and does not shelter its own comfort, love that endures and withstands. When our mouths hang open at such outrageous hope, we pray.

Loving and forgiving God, we bring our little and big problems to you. Help us to see that you are all we need; give us patience and hope.

Generous and compassionate God, we bring our worries and anxieties to you. Guide us in understanding that you know and see all; send us your mercy and grace.

Courageous and outrageous God, we bring our fears and doubts to you. Heal us of our pettiness and deceit; bless us with fidelity and peace.

Timeless and limitless God, we bring our questions and confusion to you. Grant us your serenity and peace; transform us in your wisdom and love.

We hear Jesus’ words to render our taxes and tithes with common sense and generosity. Let us give over all that is of this world to this world, let us keep our eyes on Christ as our example of how we are to manage this world, and let us keep our hearts and minds always in the hands of God.

Amen.

Image from: http://thyblackman.com/2016/04/12/money-tithes-vs-taxes/
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August 8, 2023

hope, living between two places, The Spirit
Job 8: Taking the Dare – Part III
Job 8: Taking the Dare – Part III

Friday, May 19, 2023

Job and his Friends

God’s trust in humanity is so enduring that the Creator takes the dare from Satan. How might we return this amazing trust? God the parent guides and protects us every waking moment and every sleeping hour. We need not eradicate all of the evil in the world; we need only keep our eyes on Christ and do as he asks; we need only open ourselves to the miracles of the Spirit and follow.

God’s hope in us is so strong that Christ returns for us. How might we learn from this strength? Christ reconciles and guides us. And so must we heal and shepherd others. We need only bloom where we are planted, reap the harvest that God has sown.

God’s love for us is so infinite that the Spirit resides eternally in us. How might we return this love? By tending to the marginalized, the broken-hearted and the bereft, by entering into transformation, and inviting others to join us.

In the marvelous story of Job, his friend Bildad cannot believe that Job suffers innocently. He cannot fathom why God allows misfortune to befall one of the ardent faithful. “Does God mess up?” he asks. “Does God Almighty ever get things backward?” He encourages Job not to hang his life from one thin thread, not to hitch his fate to a spider web. Bildad sees Job’s misfortune as punishment, and so might we if we do not read closely. After consideration we understand that Job suffers precisely because God trusts him, believes in him, and loves him. God restores all that Job loses and more, and this is a gesture that Satan cannot understand in his narrow, stingy world. God trusts that Job will not turn away in desperation or fatigue, and this is an attitude that Satan cannot countenance from his pathetic, narrow perspective. God allows Job to choose between hope and desperation, and this is a love that Satan cannot comprehend with his tragic, empty heart.

If God is so willing to take Satan’s dare, so willing to trust humanity with the enormity of God’s infinite goodness and mercy, might we then be willing to follow Jesus? Might we be willing to open ourselves fully to the Spirit?

Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Job_and_his_friends.jpg
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May 19, 2023

Bildad, hope, Jesus, love, Satan, strength, The Spirit, trust
John 1:1-5: The Word
John 1:1-5: The Word

Thursday, May 4, 2023

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

I am always inspired by this beautiful anthem, and no wonder. It says all there is to say.

He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

God created us to be with him. God loves us deeply, dearly, passionately, intimately. God speaks to us, but we sometimes have difficulty understanding the words .

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

And so God sent The Word, His Word, The Only Word, to move, and live, and suffer and rejoice among us. And when this Living Word left us, God’s Spirit returned to dwell with us forever, to help us to understand the words that God speaks to us constantly.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

We are driven into the desert to meet the tempter. And the Word is there. We confront ourselves each day. And the Word is also there. We are free to choose to listen for and comprehend the Word given to us through Jesus, spoken to us by the Spirit. We are free to join our God and together make all things new, to experience God’s saving and loving Word.

Image from: https://www.dreamstime.com/open-bible-dark-light-falls-sacred-image182328585

Adapted from a Favorite written on April 1, 2008.
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May 4, 2023

Jesus, renewal, The Spirit