Reading: Luke 12:49-56
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Reflection Divisions are a reality in our world today. No doubt about it. You turn on the news and some kind of horrific thing has occurred yet again. Deaths, shootings, riots, political unrest and war rage about us on a daily basis now. So we turn off the news and hopefully turn to our Bibles for some good news, and then we see today’s reading. Jesus says, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” It seems we cannot escape division and unrest of some sort, on some level in our lives. We have to live here on this earth, together with many people we disagree with or find fault with, and it is not always easy. Even those who are most near and dear to us will hurt us or let us down. In those times we turn to Jesus. We turn to prayer, and we pray for those who we are in conflict with. We pray for a better tomorrow and pray that healing can begin. All the while, we trust in God. While people on this earth will deceive us, betray us, and let us down, we know where we stand with God. We are baptized, beloved children of a God who is always there for us. Trusting in the steadfast love of our savior, we continue to find grace and acceptance through all of life’s struggles. --Amy Shuck Prayer Heavenly Father, as we struggle with divisions and hurts that run very deeply, may we always turn to you for guidance and grace, and trusting in your mercy, we pray for those who persecute us or speak out against us. May we come to you always and know that you hear us and understand us. Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
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 |