You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

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With Advent only four weeks away, we are fast approaching the end of this lectionary cycle. The scripture selections for this week include: 1 Samuel 1:4-20 and 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Hebrews 10:11-14, (15-18), 19-25 and Mark 13:1-8. Alternate selections include Daniel 12:1-3 and Psalm 16.

From 1 Samuel 1:4-7 – On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to [his wife] Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went year by year; as often as [Hannah] went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

The passage continues to describe the depth of anguish Hannah feels toward her inability to conceive. Her despair is only magnified by the words of her “rival.” Our words can be powerful sources of comfort to one another, but uncaring or insensitive use of language can also cause grave harm.

Prayer:

Understanding God, help us to always talk to one another in ways which encourage and support. AMEN.

From Mark 12:42-44 – A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then [Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

This has been an interesting week in the scriptures where we are challenged to a radical trust in God – placing God first, especially in our most vulnerable moments. May each of us find the strength to stand firm in our trust of you if we are called to such trials.

Prayer:

Gracious God, you are our strength. Help us sense your unending presence in our lives so that we might be the faithful disciples you would have us be. AMEN.

From Psalm 146:5, 7-8 – Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God…who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry, the LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

I will be spending a good part of my day today thinking about this connection between faith and health, the interrelationship of our bodies and our spirits. These verses make it clear that healing ministry is every bit as fundamental to faithful living as is caring for the poor, the oppressed and the hungry.

Prayer:

Creator God, thank you for the gift of these wonderful bodies. Help us learn to care for them as we seek to achieve our highest level of wellness. AMEN.

Elijah has asked a widow to give him a piece of bread. We pick up with 1 Kings 17:12, 14 – But [the widow] said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Elijah instructs the widow to not be afraid and to make a small cake for him in addition to something for her and her son saying, “For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.”

I can only imagine the pain this widow must have felt as she was gathering those few sticks to prepare her final meal for her son. It is precisely at this moment that she is offered the chance to make a leap of faith, to have hope amidst her hopelessness. In our times of greatest need, may we hear God as clearly as she did.

Prayer:

Gracious God who gives us hope, give us ears that hear your voice gently guiding us throughout the day. AMEN.

From Psalm 127:1 – Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

Put God first! Sounds simple enough. Yet putting God first means being willing to take chances. Putting God first isn’t always covered by corporate liability insurance. Putting God first won’t always make your family and friends happy. Yet putting God first is what people of faith are called to do each and every day.

Prayer:

Understanding God, we want to do what is right, yet we know we often fall short of the mark. Bless our efforts and forgive our mistakes. AMEN.

There are some great passages for us this week including: Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28 and Mark 12:38-44. Alternate selections include 1 Kings 17:8-16 and Psalm 146.

From Ruth 14:13, 16-17 – So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the LORD made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave [the child] a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

I had a chance to see my grandsons this weekend. Every time I see them I wonder what is ahead for them. Will they live lives in which they feel richly blessed? Will they maintain the essential joy as adults they have as children? Reading this passage made me think of the unknown potential that resides inside each child. Obed, resting on his grandmother’s chest and depending on others to care for him, will grow up to be King David’s grandfather.

Prayer:

Loving God, we offer a special word of thanks for children, and we ask that you help us be a blessing to any child who comes before us today. AMEN.

Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse.

My wife holding one of our grandchildren.

From Mark 12:31 – “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

When I was being convinced I needed a Facebook account, a co-worker compared the Facebook experience to the street on which I live. Much might be happening in individual homes, but few people on the block pay attention. It is a sad but true commentary that many of us live as islands within our neighborhoods. People of faith are called to radical hospitality, radical love for neighbors, not indifference.

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us be the neighbors you would have us be. AMEN.

From Mark 12:28-30 – One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that [Jesus] answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’”

Jesus is referring to a passage in Deuteronomy 6. Verses 6-9 in Deuteronomy tell us what we are to do with this commandment: Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Prayer:

Almighty God, help us to be mindful of your never-ending presence in our lives. AMEN.