Devotion
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask!
Frances Taylor
Today's gospel gives us two very different approaches to getting help. Jairus tells Jesus about his daughter and asks for help. The woman with the hemorrhages has faith that Jesus can heal her but doesn't ask – just touches his cloak. Makes you wonder why. Was she afraid that he would say "no?" We will never know. But, what do these examples tell us? First of all, don't be afraid to ask Jesus for help. He knows our struggles, our dreams, our sorrows. He had them too. There are some who think that God is somehow punishing them when bad things happen but our readings today tell us that this is not true. Yes, some of the things that happen to us are consequences of the decisions we have made, but they are not punishments. If we get into an accident while speeding, or get a ticket for it, it is not God punishing us. We are responsible. If we, or someone we love, gets sick or dies, it is not God's punishing us or them. When a child is born with disabilities, it is not the God punishing the parents. God did not make death nor does he wish for us to suffer. Death and suffering are part of the human condition from the time of Adam and Eve. Many times, Jesus tells us to ask for help, and to persevere in our prayers and petitions. The request line to God will never give us a busy signal and Jesus is waiting for our call.
Prayer
Gracious God, you are always there waiting for our call whenever we need help. Let us be more like Jairus, knowing the Jesus knows our needs and only needs to hear from us. Amen.
Devotion
Misrepresenting God
Frances Taylor
This passage is one I try very hard to take to heart. For over forty years, I have worked to bring the gospel message to children and adults alike. That is what I'm doing as I write this. It is so important that we don't misrepresent God to others. When someone tells me they don't believe in God, I wonder whose image of God they have been taught. When I was a child, it was common to hear that God was some policeman in the sky that was going to punish me for everything I did wrong. The idea of a loving, forgiving God was not taught as the norm. Ministers and other teachers of religion often spoke more of hellfire and damnation. It's no wonder that there are those who claim that God doesn't exist. On the other hand, there are those who taught that God was like Santa Claus, keeping track of our good deeds and rewarding us accordingly, or tracking our misdeeds and punishing us accordingly. Neither of these images of God are accurate. God is loving ...
Morning Prayer
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
Inspiration
Those in ancient Israel, as today and in all lands, who prey upon the poor and vulnerable, who pervert justice against them and deny them their rights, sin against God. His eyes see, his eyelids try the children of men, and nothing is done in secret where he does not know.
Prayer
Give me a heart of compassion, O Lord, for the weak and helpless, for the poverty stricken, for widows and orphans. And give me a righteous indignation against those who oppress them, pervert their justice, or deny their rights. Amen.
