Prayer: Walk with us Lord, wherever we are in life. Find us if we are hiding. May we know your love always. Amen
Reading: Genesis 3: 8-15 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: It’s a goal for many. 10,000 steps a day. That’s a lot of steps. Ordinary life has us walking but sometimes to reach that 10,000 steps, one has to take an extra trip around the block even just before bedtime. The goal has also encouraged us to take walks in parks, on trails, with friends, quietly alone. Walking is often a time to talk or think. Things may be going well; or not so well. Things did not go well in the garden for Adam and Eve. Things don’t always go well for us either. Yet, God is with us wherever we are and we, saved by grace, have God’s love always. For 10,000 steps and more. --Ruth Gates
0 Comments
Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Uniting God, when we insist upon walls to divide us based on our differences, you tear them down to provide a better way. Remind us that with the unity of Jesus as our cornerstone, we have the sure foundation we need as your people. This we pray through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: We’ve gotten good at defining ourselves by our differences over the years. I mean, like, really good. We depict ourselves based on where we come from as opposed to where they were from. We make snap judgments based on the language we know as compared to the one we hear them speaking to family. We assume a lot about each other based on how we think they voted instead of how we know they ought to have. We make evaluations based on whom they love in the face of our own insulated comfort zones. Over and over again we define ourselves based on the divisions between us, rather than on what we hold in common. We double down and insist on building walls along those lines of difference that will do a better job of keeping us separate from each other, rather than drawing us together. We prefer to keep our circles safe and well-insulated from the people with different appearances, ideologies, or orientations. Then waltzes in Paul and his letter to the Ephesians. As he is writing to a community of “mixed company,” he points out to them that the ways they are trying to divide themselves from one another -- the walls they are trying to put up along their differences -- they’re totally bunk! He reminds them that they, too, were once found wanting by the same sort of divisions they are now trying to maintain! But rather than simply point out where they’ve got the wrong picture, Paul instead offers them the helpful new footing to step back out into their world. In Christ Jesus, he reminds them, the dividing walls have been torn down and those counted as separate are now found as one with Christ as the cornerstone! This is the reconciliation for the world -- this is the more helpful way of definition. With Jesus as the source of our definition, we quickly find that in him, in the one who gathers all people into the love of God, we have plenty more in common to go on than we once thought. We have more to unite us into a future together than our walls implied. So let’s start living like Jesus has already torn down the walls we keep building. ~ Justin Lingenfelter Prayer: May our faith be strengthened by our questions and may we live in the good news of Jesus Christ each day. Amen.
Reading: John 3: 1-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: There is so much going on in this passage. You have been drawn to the obvious verse, number 16, which is probably the most quoted Bible verse in scripture. But don’t dwell just on that verse. Look at all that is happening. Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night to ask some questions. And, because of his questioning, I’m betting his faith is strengthened. Jesus reminds Nicodemus why Jesus came to earth and why God sent Him. Also, don’t gloss over the last verse: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” As we celebrate the Trinity this week, let us dwell on the good news of the Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Be our guide as we try to understand you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reading: Romans 8: 12-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This Sunday is Trinity Sunday as we think about the Three in One- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This passage really ties together the idea of the Trinity. We cry out to the Father, we are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, and we are reminded of the guidance of the Spirit. How do you describe the Trinity? It is a question I ask in staff interviews. The Trinity is hard to explain, but if an applicant can describe it in easy-to-understand terms, they are most likely to explain hard concepts to kids. As we talk about the Trinity this Sunday, keep a look out in your life for the ways you intersect with the creator, redeemer, and sustainer. --Chad Hershberger We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 24, 2018.
Prayer: As we go through storms in life, thank you for the strength and peace you bless us with. Amen Reading: Psalm 29 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Psalm 29 describes the Lord in a stormy way - thunder, mighty waters, breaking cedars, flashing flames, shaking the wilderness, whirling the oaks and stripping the forest bare. And in his temple all say, "Glory!" (v. 9) Yes, we are to worship the LORD in holy splendor. (v. 2) In the stormy times of life, watching things go from calm to all whipped about, it may be hard to remember to worship. But it's like everytime there is a thunderstorm, if I can, I listen for its coming, watch through its heavy winds and downpour and wait until it tapers away. Feeling strength in the storm and peace in its passing. God sits above all this and we worship and say, "Glory!". Our hope is the strength he gives and the peace he blesses us with. -- Ruth Gates Prayer: Holy Father, help us see your creation and take care of it. Holy Jesus, may we live in the good of the work you have done for us on the cross. Holy Spirit, come and send us in mission as we say, “Here I Am.” Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday. It is the only church year celebration based on a doctrine- the idea that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We commemorate this belief that God is three in one. It’s my understanding that this particular scripture is read on this day because scholars believe Isaiah was referring to the trinity when he wrote, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.” When I read this passage to write this devotional writing, it occurred to me that the end of this passage is all about mission. “Send me!” is our cry when God asks us to do something. On this Trinity Sunday, think about how you serve the triune God. We are servants of our creator, redeemer, and sustainer. How will tell others of that mission and show that mission in this world? --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Empowering God, in Jesus you revealed your mission of life and love for your people. In Christ’s departure, remind us that we have been equipped by your Spirit to continue sharing in that mission throughout the world. Embolden us to step into your story of good news for the world through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Reading: Acts 1:1-8 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Who doesn’t get excited about a good sequel? When a story captures you with their characters and world building, sometimes all you want is to steep in it a little bit longer. Whether its film, books, or even a good video game, there are plenty of stories that warrant greater exploration. Some of the best cultural milestones have spawned from the sequels to great hits. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Godfather, heck! Even Shrek garners warranted screen time with multiple subsequent iterations! Sequels give us the chance to get back into the story and explore more of what the creative worlds have to offer while exploring new developments and plot twists along the way. When we reach the book of Acts, then, we do well to remember that this is actually a great sequel! After Luke has told us all about the deeds, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus in his first book, now he is following up with a well-warranted sequel! Here, we as the audience will get to bear witness to what will happen next; what will this Jesus’ ministry look like ahead? Where will God’s mission take him? What will happen with the disciples in the story? The only catch, we quickly learn, is that this sequel is heading in new directions. Here at the start of Acts we learn that Jesus as our main protagonist is taking his exit to give way to other characters. In his departure, though, he equips his followers with the Spirit they will need to carry on. To be certain, the sequel of Acts will also be filled with healing and power and preaching and teaching, just as that first Gospel was; this time, though, it will be those Jesus leaves behind and equips who will carry out the story. As we look to Pentecost this weekend, then, we are reminded that this sequel story is ours as well. As Jesus takes his physical exit to give space for the disciples to carry on his work, so too does he leave it up to us to keep on living this sequel. Just as the disciples await the arrival of the Spirit to empower their mission, we have been equipped to engage in Jesus’ continued legacy. Now it’s our turn to step into the frame and carry on the healing, liberation, and proclamation that Jesus began for the sake of the world! So, let’s get to it. ~ Justin Lingenfelter Prayer: Eternal God, walk with us now and always, fill our hearts with your grace and protect us from the evils of the world. Amen
Reading: John 15: 26-27, 16: 4b-15 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Sometimes I honestly feel like I need a personal assistant. Well then, imagine Jesus? Jesus explained his work would not be complete until he returned to God the Father. Then he would send the Spirit after his resurrection and the work of the Spirit would begin. Perhaps in our way of thinking…a personal assistant. Obviously, that is oversimplified and very few of us have a personal assistant. But we do have the Holy Spirit to walk with us, fill our hearts with grace and protect us. What else do we need? --Ruth Gates Prayer: Eternal God, thank you for sending us your spirit. Help us to listen to it and follow your will. Be with us today. Amen. (from the Moravian Daily Text – May 23, 2021)
Reading: Romans 8: 22-27 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I am glad the Spirit intercedes when I do not know how or what to pray. I am even more glad to know the Spirit intercedes according to the will of God. Perhaps I should be listening, too. What would I hear to do? I have been listening to a particular song quite a bit lately. It speaks of a voice calling to take the step and say, “Hello.” While I was always one to smile as I passed a person, I have realized smiles are hard to see under a mask. I now say, “Hello” now along with smiling. I may not always know how or what to pray. I may not always know God’s will. But I do know saying, “Hello” has brought to me and to others, smiles that can be seen even under masks. Perhaps that song was the Spirit interceding. “Hello!” --Ruth Gates We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on June 1, 2017.
Prayer: Lord, help me to enjoy creation today. Reading: Psalm 104:24-34 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Here we go again— “When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.” Just recently in these devotions we experienced God’s spirit resting on the folks in the desert. Here is it again in what amounts to another creation story. When God spends forth creative spirit all the critters of the earth are blessed. Even the Leviathan which God formed just for the sport of it. That always makes me chuckle. God does things just for the heck of it!! But that’s not the main point. God’s creative spirit hovers over and through all the world in which we live. And gives life to everything. The other day I was on the way to physical therapy on a back road and I had to stop because there was a male ring neck pheasant and two hens meandering across the road. Just taking their time, not concerned a bit that I was watching them. So, here’s one for you: Why do the pheasants cross the road? Because God’s spirit renews life and there was food on the bank on the other side of the road. And so Jim could experience God’s spirit in the beauty of the pheasants. God’s spirit renews the face of the earth. Enjoy!! --Jim Bricker Prayer: Spirit of God, come to us and make yourself know. Guide us and sustain us. Amen.
Reading: Acts 2: 1-21 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost. It is the day when the Holy Spirit arrives on earth and the church is born. People will wear red to church and sanctuaries will be adorned with geraniums. When reading the story of the first Pentecost, we see that people were confused. People were speaking in different languages. It was unexpected. Because they couldn’t explain it, they proclaimed that people were drunk. Peter stood up and said, “Wait a minute. This is what we knew was coming.” And he related how scripture predicted this. Peter was the voice of reason. He reminded everyone that they indeed knew what was happening. And he led people to believe in Jesus. Be like Peter. Be the voice of reason. Share the good news with others! --Chad Hershberger Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: [Read, then come back and spend a few quiet minutes letting Jesus pray for you!] Reading: John 17:6-19 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I read an article today that highlighted how 85% of available property rentals in the US are already booked for this coming summer. Apparently after a year of stay-at-home practices, Americans are ready to finally get away! It’s like everyone hit play on The Go-Go’s, because it seems like we’re rocking to “vacation, all we ever wanted//vacation, had to get away.” We know the feeling well, don’t we? We know that sensation of just needing to “get away” from time to time. It’s often when the going gets roughest that we are hit with the feeling of just wanting to set it aside and escape for a while. We’d rather set all of the things causing stress and frustration on the backburner and take up some time away. This past year has certainly been no exception to that feeling; in fact, the data suggests it’s only been exacerbated! As Christians, then, it’s sometimes tempting to treat our practices, especially our Sunday morning worship, as the sort of getaway we long for. It’s tempting to think that when we gather as communities of faith it’s in order to get away from the problems of the world. We sometimes expect our Sunday mornings to be like a Sandals escape to fill us with enough feel-good energy that we can keep our heads above water until the next weekend rolls around. Unfortunately, though, this clearly isn’t what Jesus has in mind. As he prepares his disciples for his own departure here in John’s Gospel, he makes clear to them that they still very much have a place within the world. They still have work to do -- hard work -- that will require a great deal from them ahead. They will still very much be in the world, even if they’d rather simply get away. Which is precisely why it’s so important to hear how Jesus supports those he sends into the world. He does not leave them unequipped or unaccompanied. Recognizing the difficulty of remaining tethered to the world that can so often weigh us down, Jesus commits himself to the work of praying for his disciples-turned-friends. He prays for their encouragement and support. He prays for their accompaniment by the God who will work to protect them and move with them throughout that world. When it feels like the going’s getting unbearably rough and you’re tempted to plan your escape, remember that Jesus is praying for you too. Hang in there! ~ Justin Lingenfelter Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill me to the brim. Bubble out of me in happy exultation for God’s gifts. May I show my thanks and share my joy freely. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 47 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther’s GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I can just imagine the camp counselors hamming up this Psalm, pantomiming trumpet blats while stomping out a hand-clapping hoedown around the campfire! I even picture a counselor wrapped in checkered tablecloth, peers parading behind in mock royal homage. Can you tell how much I miss Family Camp?! Silliness aside, the flamboyant praise called for by this psalmist fits the celebratory feeling we might all have when we think of what God has done for humanity. There is a sense of revival and pure joy. Why not take this moment to get out and be glad in God? Clap! Sing! Maybe grab a partner and swing around. Laugh at a pun. Climb a mountain and shout loud, echoing praises. Give thanks in rhyming prayer. Really worship God with abandon. …and then maybe, go to camp? --Heather LeBlanc We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on May 9, 2018.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the message of eternal life in Christ. Amen Reading: I John 5: 9-13 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The writer's purpose at the end of our text today seems to be to make sure readers know they have eternal life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (I John 5: 13) So that you may know... What messages do you want to make sure others know? Sometimes my message is You are loveable and capable. Sometimes my message is Enjoy this day! Reminders of being loved, doing things through Christ who gives strength and rejoicing in the day the Lord has made. What messages do you tell yourself so that you may know...? -- Ruth Gates Prayer: We delight in you, Lord. Plant us by steams of water. May we grow in giving your love to others. Amen
Reading: Psalm 1 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The river’s wide…..the water deep; I’ve miles to go before I sleep. That’s my own adaptation of two poems. I’ve been on two rivers. The Delaware River in the Delaware Water Gap National Park and the Ohio River in the city of St. Louis. On one I saw God’s handiwork in creation. On the other I saw man’s creations of concrete and steel. As we travel the river of life, there is much to see and much to do. Psalm 1 reminds us those who delight in the Lord are like trees planted by streams of water. They yield fruit. What river of life do you find yourself on? What do you see? What will you give? --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Guide us in our decisions, Lord, and show us your will which is love. Amen
Reading: Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: The remaining eleven apostles had a decision to make. Jesus had chosen twelve apostles and they were now down one. Who would they choose to replace Judas Iscariot? An important decision indeed. One that they wanted to be sure was right. You would not think that casting lots is a very reliable way to decide. Sounds a lot like flipping a coin to me. In the process of casting lots marked stones or twigs were thrown or drawn to determine an answer to a question. The apostles probably cast lots to be sure the decision was God’s and not theirs. Yet back up just a bit. They already knew the person should be someone familiar with Jesus and his (their) ministry. Good start. And before casting, they prayed, “Lord, show us.” Decisions, decisions. We make them all the time. Some of more importance than others. We know can pray, “Lord, show us.” We also already know we are to love God and love others. Casting lots? Love is the answer. --Ruth Gates Today, we look at a Day 5 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “From Generation to Generation.”
Prayer: Redeeming God, you overcome all differences and divisions to welcome those we want to call outsiders into your fold. Remind us that we too were once estranged from you but have been brought nearby your love in Christ Jesus. By your Spirit, guide us into the ways of welcoming those whom we would rather ignore, dismiss, or degrade into our way of life in you. This we pray through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: What did he just call her?! I’m sorry, rewind for a minute; did Jesus just call her a dog? That can’t be right, can it? Surely Jesus wouldn’t use such a derogatory term to refer to this woman looking for aid. I’m re-reading the story now -- hold on. Ok so, it’s actually worse. Here we have this woman looking for help on behalf of her daughter who has apparently been afflicted by some sort of evil possession. She approaches Jesus and the disciples, imploring them for mercy, but Jesus just ignores her? Then he only seems to address her because the disciples want him to send her away, which it seems like he does! “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he says. He might as well have summed it up by saying “you’re not my problem.” But he doesn’t even stop there. When the woman finally stoops in front of him pleading “Lord, help me,” Jesus returns with a veritable gut-punch: “it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Oof! It’s really difficult hearing such unkind words on the lips of this Savior. Reading it, we might be more than a little taken aback by what this Jesus is saying. I mean, sure, as a Canaanite this woman was an outsider, but does that really warrant the slur of calling her a dog (a derogatory term not uncommonly used to refer to outsiders among the people of Jesus’ time)? It’s a tough scene that’s given to us. On the face of it, this Jesus looks incredibly callous and downright insulting. Some have tried to write the episode off by saying that this was all a setup; Jesus was only saying these things so that he could show something more powerful. Regardless, though, whether you think Jesus was genuinely using the insulting language of his time or simply play-acting to make a point, it’s difficult to stomach these words on Jesus’ lips. Which is precisely why the outcome is so important. Because despite being ignored, despite being dismissed, despite being insulted and degraded, the Canaanite woman nevertheless persisted. She implores Jesus one last time, in a recognition that even the crumbs would be enough to sustain her. And there, everything changes. After moving through the messy articulations of human biases (especially those existing between the good Jewish folks around Jesus and the Canaanite outsiders), Jesus finally recognizes her faith and human dignity as worthy of attention and a place in God’s unfolding drama. May this be a reminder then. May Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman remind us that no one, even those we want to ignore, dismiss, or revile with dirty language, no one is beyond the bounds of God’s life-giving love and power. May this give us cause to stay our tongues when such language comes primed and ready to be wielded against those we count as “outside” our normal spheres. May it give us hope for the moments we ourselves are cast away with ugly dismissals. May it give us hope that God’s redemption is greater than the worst we have to offer. ~ Justin Lingenfelter Prayer: God of all, we praise you and adore you. We thank you that you have given us a friend in Jesus. Help us listen to him and obey the command to love one another so we may bear much fruit. Amen
Reading: John 15: 9-17 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: As I was reading the text for today a lot of things really stood out to me. The theme of loving one another is huge. Also joy and bearing fruit were two things I noticed. The other thread of the text that I also liked was that Jesus is calling the disciples friends. To me, being called a friend is a huge thing. People on equal footing that care for each other. The other huge thing in this text is that Jesus reminds them that he chose them. We are all chosen by God. We are loved and cared for and we are to abide in that love. We are also to help spread that love by loving one another. Then lastly, we are still in the season of Easter and in the Bible text we hear that, “no one has greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We know that Jesus did that for us. We are truly grateful and in that we rejoice. --Charlene Rineer Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for adopting us as your own. Help us to live in the good of your love. Amen.
Reading: 1 John 5: 1-6 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I’ve often read this passage and thought about God as our parent. We are told God loves us like our parents do. I always was intrigued by that description and knew from my parents’ modeling what that meant. However, since I became a parent, it takes on a whole new meaning. I really get it now. God would do anything for me, just like I would do anything for my son and daughter. I want the best for them and love them unconditionally. I want them to be who they are and will love them no matter what that looks like. What a comfort to know that God looks at each of us, God’s children, that way! --Chad Hershberger Prayer: Praise to you, Lord, with the music of our hearts whatever that may be. Let all the earth praise you. Thank you for your many blessings. Amen.
Reading: Psalm 98 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: “The hills are alive with the sound of music.” Who has not heard or sung those words? My dad loved sitting on a hillside by the railroad tracks watching and listening to the mighty steam engines rumble by. Their wheels clickety-clacking down the track was music to his ears. He also had an organist friend who could play Widor’s Tocatta No. 5 and dad marveled every time Harold played it. Music of many sorts. How about a foghorn or the buoy bells on a foggy night? Certainly, a joyful noise to be heard and music to the ears of sailors on a stormy sea. We can all make a joyful noise. Sing, whistle, laugh. Share thoughtful words of compassion. Lift up glorious praise or bow down with a simple, humble thank you in gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed on us. --Alice Yeakel Prayer: Dear God, you welcome all with your gift of the Holy Spirit. May we invite others with love. Amen Reading: Acts 10: 44-48 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: I have a half hour to write this GROW Time. It is 7:30 in the morning, the sun is shining and I simply couldn’t hold back from inviting my neighbor friends over to sit on the front porch for coffee and catching up. After that, it will be on to a day of errands, work, dinner and choir. But, for an hour or so, my friends and I will be together to talk, care and laugh. It only took an invitation - a text sent 10 minutes ago with the casual welcome of “I will still be in my pajama pants, too.” Peter was speaking to the Gentiles when the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard him; poured out even to the Gentiles. Then, who could hold back them being baptized in the name of Jesus? They invited Peter to stay longer and he took the time. The Spirit will be on my porch, too, even as we meet in our pajamas with mugs warming our hands. Who can hold back such an invitation? Chances are we’ll talk longer than expected. Welcome the Spirit. Invite others. Take the time. --Ruth Gates |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |