Mark 1:23-26 – Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice came out of him.

Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath and in synagogues became a source of his problems among the religious leaders of his day. But Jesus makes it clear here and in other scriptures that our places of worship should be healing spaces as well.

Prayer: Almighty God, help us be healing presences to people at all times. AMEN.

1 Corinthians 8:8-9, 13 – “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak…Therefore, if food is the cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

“Do no harm,” is part of the oath of new physicians, and this scripture seems to be saying the same thing to us in our dealings with each other on matters of faith.

Prayer: Merciful God, help us nurture the faith of those who come before us today. AMEN.

1 Corinthians 8:4, 6-7 – Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.”…yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

Paul asks us to PROCEED WITH CAUTION in our dealings with one another. He implores us to consider the shoes in which our brothers and sisters have walked.

Prayer: Merciful God, help us remember that we do not know the full story of those who come before us today. AMEN.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

This is a little gem of a passage. First, it says to me that we have to be careful in our dealings with each other on matters of faith because our own knowledge is incomplete. Second, it says that having incomplete knowledge is alright because by loving God, God knows us.

Prayer: God of mystery, we have so many questions yet you love us anyway. Thank you for your faith in us. AMEN.

We are approaching the fourth Sunday of Epiphany. The lectionary texts include Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and Mark 1:21-28.

Psalm 111:1 – Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

The texts this week concern our responsibility for one another as we travel along our own faith journey. We are reminded of our interdependence on one another and the duty that comes with that knowledge.

Prayer: Gracious God, keep us mindful of one another today and throughout this week. AMEN.

Mark 1:19-20 – As Jesus went a little farther, he saw James, son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

If my father and I were in business together, I doubt I could just leave him simply because a man asked me to follow him. With that said, this scripture does call us to question all the obstacles we place between ourselves and our relationship with God. It calls us to examine our priorities.

Prayer: Understanding God, it is so easy for us to erect barriers which keep us from a full relationship with you…money, jobs and friends are just a few. Help us keep our eyes focused on you in all we do. AMEN.

Mark 1:16-18 – As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fisherman. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Why did Jesus choose so many fishermen to be his first disciples? I think he did this because most fishermen share patience as a virtue. Our walk with God is a life-long walk that includes ups, downs, and detours in addition to those wonderful moments of spiritual insight. We must be as patient as fine fishermen in our walk with God.

Prayer: Patient God, we want immediate feedback and immediate gratification. Give us patient spirits today and every day. AMEN.

Jonah 3:4-5, 10 – Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth…When God saw what they did, how they had turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

“I want a do-over!” I would shout as a kid. Of course, I would make this request over a missed basketball goal or the third swing of a bat which failed to hit the ball. The people of Nineveh repented, and God granted them a do-over. Forgiving one another, I think, is one of the hardest things asked of us as people of faith. Yet, God is infinitely ready to offer forgiveness, and we are asked to do likewise.

Prayer: Gracious God, help us be forgiving people especially at those times when it is hardest. AMEN.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 – I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice, as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Much of our world remains at war. Many of our neighbors and friends are struggling to survive. The economies of countries around the world teeter on the edge of collapse. Our country remains divided along too many lines. Our prayer for today is, “Help us God.”

Prayer: Gracious and loving God, help us be the instruments of peace and change you want us to be. AMEN.

The third week of Epiphany offers us the following scriptures: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 and Mark 1:14-20.

Psalm 62:5-7 – For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

When I would play cowboys as a child, the best and safest hiding place was behind a rock. No bullets, not even from our imaginary guns, could penetrate rock. And the gift of having God as our rock? No need to hide anymore.

Prayer: Almighty God, you are our shield, defender and the ever-present force in our lives. For this and much more, we thank you. AMEN.