Devotion
Follow Me
Frances Taylor
Boy, are we just like the people in Jesus' day! We say we will follow Jesus, but we put it off with all kinds of excuses! I need to work; my kids are in sports; I'll do it when I'm older. I don't have time right now for you, Jesus, but the day will come when I will have time. Imagine how that works with our earthly relationships! There's an old song called "Cat's in the Cradle" that talks about a father who doesn't have time for his son while the son is growing up and only realizes what he has done when he retires and the son now has no time for him. The good news is that Jesus will always have time for us no matter how long it takes for us to wake up and make room for him in our lives. But think of what we miss! We can miss years, or in some cases, a lifetime, of knowing that Jesus has our back – he will always be there to help and guide us. His grace will be there to keep us from making some pretty terrible mistakes. All we need to do is follow him. In one of the classes we had this spring, the video instructor explained that the "yoke" that Jesus asks us to take for our own, is not a burdensome piece of wood that keeps us tied to the plow, but rather, a point of view. Jesus asks us to view life as he did – working for justice, in communion with one another, always connected to the God who made us. Yes, it can be difficult at times because the world is always pulling us in all directions, but with the grace of God, we can do it. What has happened when you didn't follow Jesus? I know that in my life, that's when I was on my knees begging God to get me out of the mess I made. In the long run, life is actually easier when we give in, let go of the excuses, and just follow Jesus.
Prayer
Lord, my desire is to follow you, to answer your call, but I am not like the apostles who dropped everything to follow. I often let the cares of my world get in the way. Give me the graces I need to make this year a better one as your disciple. 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 ...
Morning Prayer
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Inspiration
Love one another; it is as simple as that. For if God demands you to honor his creation, this also includes his people. Love is not a science, it is an art that takes constant negotiation, communication, and consideration. But should we become better in this, all the better not only for this world, but also in preparing us for the next -wherein everything resides within the arms of our everlasting and loving Father.
Prayer
Lord, give us your guidance. Through Jesus' actions show us how to commit to your brotherly love and understanding, honoring one another as we break bread upon your holy sacrament and salvation. Help us treat one another as we would like to be treated ourselves, and thereafter, find lasting peace and love in giving thanks to your holy name, O Lord most high, Amen.
Devotion
Pray for Leaders
Frances Taylor
How often do you or I pray for government leaders? Paul doesn't say to pray just for the leaders we like, either. If we do want a tranquil and quiet life, we need all leaders to turn to God and work for justice for all their citizens. It's probably even more important to pray and intercede for those leaders who work against justice, than for those who are already doing the right thing. For those who are already on God's side, we should give thanks to God that they stay in leadership and continue to do God's will. The same goes for city, state, and even church leaders as well as our national and international leaders. Good leaders should be supported and others need to be held to account for their behavior. Obviously different countries have different forms of leadership, but that shouldn't stop us from praying for them. God does listen even if the answer doesn't come as quickly as we might like. In the case of democracies, we sometimes need a bad ...
