Devotion
Gimme gimme gimme!
David Jacobs
When I was about 5 years old, I stole for the first time. I was with my family at a museum in a different city. I saw a kaleidoscope and was in awe of the amazing shapes, colors, and patterns that I saw in it. I knew that I had to have it, and went to ask my mom. She told me that we already had one at home and that I could play with it as soon as we got back. There was one big problem with her logic: I wanted it now! So, I stuck it in my pocket and out the door I went.
I wasn't the cleverest thief, because as soon as we got out of the door, I pulled the kaleidoscope out and start using it. My mom obviously saw me with it, scolded me and made me take the walk of shame back to the store. Although she intended to teach me a lesson, and I suppose that she did, the shopkeeper was generous and felt pity for the cute thief, and gave it to me for free. In this instance crime paid off...but really I think it was the morals that my mother instilled in me that the shopkeeper appreciated.
Greed is perhaps the deadliest sin in today's world. The consumer culture that we live in teaches us that we can never have enough. The teachings of Christ suggest otherwise.
Prayer
If we are able to be healthy and take care of the ones that we care about, what more do we need? Worldly possessions will fade, as will our bodies themselves. To be truly rich is to be spiritually fulfilled, and although wealth may make us many friends (Proverbs 19), there is only one friend that we truly need: our Father, who lives in Heaven. Amen.
Night Prayer
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Inspiration
When a king rules with fairness and justice, his kingdom will flourish. If the same king accepts gifts or bribes, his kingdom will fall. We've all observed a person in a leadership position who acted wrongfully. Perhaps a boss did not discipline employees fairly, or a political leader accepted kickbacks for legislation decisions. These corrupt actions lead to their demise. Scripture advises leaders to maintain justice with fair decision-making. As leaders, we must reflect on the mercy and grace God shows to us and lead others in the same fashion.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for coaching us in our leadership endeavors. We have faith in Your Words and will lead Your people accordingly. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotion
The Widow of Naim
Frances Taylor
This story of Jesus' raising the son of the widow of Naim gives us some information that lets us know just how important it was for this widow. At that time, women had no way to earn a living. They were property of their parents until they became property of their husbands, and actually moved into the home of the husband. Now that this widow's son had died, she had no one to take care of her. The compassion that Jesus showed meant life to that widow. I'm sure the leaders weren't too happy that the power of God to raise someone from the dead rested in Jesus. There must also have been those who were saying, "Why her and not me?" We all will die and we will all lose someone we love including those of us who have and will lose children. We can easily read this passage and question. It can be difficult to understand God's plan for us, even though we keep trying. It is better to concentrate on the positive than the negative. A priest I once knew lost ...
