Friday - February 28, 2025

Rev Dr. Neil G Thomas

SCRIPTURE


1 Thessalonians 4.13-18

New International Version


Friends, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. Accordingly, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of Christ, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For Christ will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet in the air. And so we will be with God forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.


WORDS OF HOPE


Believers Who Have Died


These writings of those to the early church in Thessalonia are designed to encourage the believers to have hope in the future and to what will come of those who have died. It seeks to reassure them that they will be resurrected, and we will be reunited with them in heaven.


Since being called as Senior Pastor here at Cathedral of Hope I have had the honor of officiating at many funerals, memorials and celebrations of life. Each time I have this opportunity to minister in this way, I am struck with the awesome responsibility of being available to those who are left behind, those who mourn and grieve. This sense of deep loss is shared in the community, and we have the unique opportunity to remember them, as well as to embrace the giftedness of how each person leaves their mark.


I have a belief that their spirit lives on as we not only remember them but come to understand how their life has helped to shape ours. I can think of so many who, in my time here have helped me become a better person and their spirit lives on in me.


Of course, the writers, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, point here to a time when Christ will come again and take those who have been faithful ahead and into heaven, reunited, to be with God. This belief in the end times now seems important. There was hope, a belief that Christ would return in their lifetime and, as time was passing it was essential that they not give up hope but remain faithful. The biblical text is not crystal clear on all the details, but it offers the bold hope that all those in Christ — living and dead — will be there on the day when he will come again in glory and then dwell with him forever.


For many Christians this “reward” is a motive for “doing good” and ensures their place in heaven. While this might be a worthy hope, I have come to believe that, regardless of what happens in any future glory, my motive for living in the presence of Christ is centered in the here and now and not in any future promise of heaven.


As we enter the season of Lent, we do so with an invitation to slow down and notice the world around us. Lent is marked by a season of fasting, purifying ourselves as we prepare for Easter. Here at Cathedral of Hope we will be invited into a different kind of fast. It is a fast designed to feed our true hungers, embracing simplicity, a fuller presence in the moment.


I believe that we are hungry for a better world NOW and our faith directs us in the ways of justice – to change the world today, knowing that this creates a better world in the future. To co-create a new earth that is like the one that we hope for in heaven.


As we enter the season of Lent and, at the same time our Muslim friends enter the season of Ramadan, which is also marked with fasting. May our shared prayer be focused on creating a better world, marked by the values of our faith. May we become more empathic, less self-centered, and more grateful to God for the world around us, and the blessings bestowed upon us. May we find an increased sense of peace and happiness and enthuse these gifts into our personal lives, impacting those around us and ultimately, the world.


Whenever I conclude a memorial service, I reflect on how their life has changed me. May we be so blessed when our time comes, that others will know how our life has changed them.


PRAYER


God of Lent, as we take time to fast and pray, reflect, and prepare for the great feast of Easter, may we find spiritual food for our journey that will lead us to be a part of the re-making of our world in the here and now as well as in the future. Amen


DEVOTION AUTHOR


Rev Dr. Neil G Thomas

Senior Pastor

Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ

Pronouns: he/his/him


Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions

Friday - August 1, 2025

By Dan Peeler • August 1, 2025
SCRIPTURE Acts 17. 5-7 But the Temple religious leaders were jealous, and…attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring [Paul and his companions] out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king; Jesus.” WORDS OF HOPE Whenever you meet someone new who has the same name as someone you admire, does an image of that earlier person immediately come to mind? In this narrative from Acts 17, we meet a person with an unusual name for the Bible: Jason. This was certainly not an unusual name in the first century world of the Apostle Paul, but it was inspired by a Greek, not a Hebrew hero. Jason’s fame centered on the quest for the Golden Fleece and afterward many Greek babies shared that name. But the Jason of this Acts story was referred to by Paul as his "countryman" which meant fellow Jew, and he lived up to his Greek "hero’s quest " name through his actions on behalf of the infant Christian community.  Jason was an early follower of "the Way" of Jesus, since that is how the early church defined themselves. He demonstrated his faith by providing shelter and protection for Paul and his companions in their mission travels and by suffering the torture and fines of the oppressive Roman Empire. He was a victim of a culture of state-religion rule, the law recognizing only Caesar as both Emperor and God. This biblical Jason's heroic defiance was reminiscent of his Greek namesake's unwavering faith to his deity, in his case, the goddess Hera. The Jason of Acts never lost his faith, both in this story and in other mentions within the letters of Paul. Early extra-biblical writings continued to follow Jason’s mission, as he underwent continued harassment and imprisonment by Rome, but finally ended his career by becoming a powerful Bishop of the infant church. I have known several Jasons in my life and each of them has shared the same sort of goals and determination as their Greek and Hebrew namesakes. Though there is nothing magical about our names, a review of their origins can be a source of inspiration. We are usually named after admirable people. I was of course named after the Prophet Daniel. What was the origin of your name? Even if our namesake is not one we might admire, we always have the opportunity every day to make ours a name future generations will remember. PRAYER God, of many names, may our own names, either by birth or ones we have chosen, forever honor you. Thank you for Jesus, the name we most admire, and whose way we will always follow. In Your Spirit, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Thursday - July 31, 2025

By Donna Jackson • July 31, 2025
SCRIPTURE Romans 11: 33-34 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" WORDS OF HOPE  This beautiful and profound scripture truly outlines the depth of God. It’s overwhelming and exciting to think how God, the creator of ALL has access to and possesses absolutely everything. It is amazing to consider that outside of our love, faith and devotion, nothing is ever expected. God is a vast mystery to our human minds which are always trying to figure out what makes the universe work so well. I remember looking through a telescope at the Milky Way, walking along the edge of the Grand Canyon and seeing a comet for the first time. Each of those held me in awe of the wonder and majesty of how God now possesses and always will, everything. Absolutely nothing is beyond God! Maybe Paul's point in this passage simply reveals that God is truly amazing! So rather than trying to understand "why" or “how” God works, we could simply stand in wonder at the "depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God...His paths are beyond tracing out." Since trying to figure God out is impossible, maybe it would be better to just relax. Give thanks and appreciate what God has done and will always do. God’s wealth is unfathomable, unreachable and beyond human understanding. No matter how far down into God’s wealth or into God’s wisdom or into God’s knowledge you go, you never get above or beneath God. God’s riches, wisdom and knowledge are so far beyond our grasp that we can’t give or tell God anything new. No wonder we are often mystified, perplexed, and amazed by this amazing God of grace. It’s uplifting to know that God doesn’t actually owe us anything but instead, freely gives us everything! PRAYER Creator God of amazing wonder, we give you thanks and praise for the majestic beauty of life and most of all, for the gift of Jesus Christ in whose holy name we pray. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donna Jackson

Wednesday - July 30, 2025

By Charlie C. Rose • July 30, 2025
SCRIPTURE  Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people. WORDS OF HOPE Do you remember when the word 'woke" started being used? I don't know the exact date. At first, it seemed innocent enough, maybe even positive. Its origin was in the black community and meant “informed” or “aware”. It didn't take long for it to become a pejorative term, as insults to progressive thinking. Supposedly clever memes popped up reviling it. Other, progressive memes appeared too. "Being WOKE is a natural state of being kind and considerate people" one meme says. All of us think differently about the life and purpose of Jesus. I love the idea that we are welcome at Jesus’ table, which allows for the colorful tapestry of people who are all invited to break bread and be part of the loving God. Was Jesus woke? The radical Jesus was anything but conventional. He was the first to point out hypocrisy in the church, while making the unpopular claim he and God are one and the same. I've come to view this as Jesus' own metaphor for humanity; that we are all the expression of the living Creator, whatever you might think that is. Are we part of natural evolution? Do we have a divine purpose? This brings us back to our discussion of “Woke”. Are you woke? Here is a list of 10 symptoms of what somebody cleverly called "woke mind virus”: 1. You read books and don't burn them. 2. You embrace science. 3. You are willing to change your mind when new information becomes available. 4. You understand most issues aren't black and white. 5. You believe in true equality for all people. 6. You like to share. 7. You embrace cooperation. 8. You respect others' rights. 9. You believe culture and the arts have value. 10. You care for the planet and all of its life. To me these are “Jesus-virtues”. Have you given any thought about which of these you embrace? The reality is whether you consciously practice all or none of these things, the list can be used to divide us; another of those “us and them” lists. The single question I ask myself is what is my divine purpose? PRAYER Creator of All, woke or not, help us to understand love, compassion, cooperation, and empathy which happen to be exactly the values that Jesus taught, and that the first of these is love. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Charlie C. Rose Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Monday - July 28, 20225

By Donald (Luke) Day • July 28, 2025
READING  "Let me preach to you without preaching, not by words alone but by my life example; by the captivating force and sympathetic influence" [of Christ's presence in my life]. John Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) WORDS OF HOPE The words in Cardinal Newman’s prayer are often thought to be attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. I'm not sure that he actually spoke them, but I am certain that he lived them. As a young Baptist boy, I was urged to memorize many Bible verses, including a string of verses from Paul's letter to the Romans (the Roman Road to Salvation). I was supposed to use these as a preaching tool in witness to others. The whole effort was nerve-racking and often caused me to shy away from any opportunity to witness about Christ's love. Not emphasized was the last half of the above prayer line... "not by words alone; but by the captivating force and the sympathetic influence of what" Christ is in me. It is our active example of loving care which best preaches Christ’s nature and its offer as a comforting source to others. Remember that God's welcoming hand of forgiveness, love and care usually begins at the end of the sleeve of your shirt or blouse. We reflect it; we present it, and when received by others, God does the healing work. If there specific portions of this sentence of prayer which had extra meaning to you, it’s probably God's Spirit talking to you about your life’s need for a more vibrant spiritual life. Sometimes we can meditate on one sentence of prayer and concentrate on that as a point for spiritual growth. Think about these things and be aware of divine urging. The result can be an ascension of the soul. PRAYER Dear Jesus, help me to spread your sweet fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may be only a radiance of your life. Shine through me, and be so in me, that every soul with whom I come into contact may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see not me but only you Jesus and give you glory. Stay within me and then I will begin to shine as you shine; so, to share as to be a light to others, and that light will be all from you. It will be you shining on others through me. Let me preach you without preaching, not by words alone, but by my life example; by the captivating force and sympathetic influence of what I am which is the evident fullness of love my heart and life bears for you." Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Friday - July 25, 2025

By Dan Peeler • July 25, 2025
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 6.13-17 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness… With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. WORDS OF HOPE Decades ago, I remember my grandmother sitting at her ancient Singer sewing machine, finishing one of the hundreds of little shirts she routinely made for a local Baptist Orphan’s Home, while quoting today’s reading from Ephesians to me. She loved the colorful symbolism and knew the word pictures would remind me of the brave Round Table knights and Sherwood Forest rebels whose adventures inspired my imagination in those days. Lancelot and Robin Hood never failed to douse the flaming arrows of the evil ones. She was also quick to remind me that the list of weapons was symbolic and what Paul was talking about was the power of the Word of God. She mentioned the Apostle Paul in a familiar tone, as if she had gone to high school with him. Observing her silver-gray hair, pulled back into a bun, I thought she probably had. Now, being about the same age she was then, I know she wasn’t that old after all, but her wisdom was. One example of her eternal wisdom was another observation she made about this passage. “You don’t have to go too far from home to watch out for those flaming arrows.” She was referring to her ongoing religious debates with her sister, my Aunt Nora, about how a good Christian should behave. Nora was our Presbyterian church’s self-appointed expert on proper religious tradition. (She was also the church gossip.) I overheard one of these sessions from another room once. I remember Nora lecturing my grandmother about not always standing up with the rest of the congregation during appointed times of the worship service. “I’m old, Nora,” was my grandmother’s only comment. “I don’t care how old you are,” Aunt Nora retaliated. “A good Christian always stands up!” My grandmother thought it over briefly and then casually replied. “Then why do you stand up?” I left the other room to avoid being discovered doubled over with laughter. Today, my grandmother’s words are still with me. There are more flaming arrows flying now than I can ever remember, filling the air, the airwaves, and social media with hateful words and accusations as to who a true Christian really is, but more frequently who isn’t. It takes the whole armor of God and sometimes even an old Singer sewing machine to remember the difference. PRAYER Thank you for the power of your words and the generations of your followers who have lived their lives by them. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR  Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

Thursday - July 24, 2025

By Dr. Pat Saxon • July 24, 2025
READING  “… [T]he light of compassion brings people out of hiding, out of unease and fear. The light that invites courage and renewal and resilience. That is light worth spilling. And it is the light of Grace.” Terry Hershey WORDS OF HOPE The air was dense with moisture and the pines vibrant with new growth as Sage and I set out on our early morning walk. Since Sage is a super-sniffer, ambling was our pace, and I delighted in lingering for birdsong, the sound of waves lapping the shore, and the touch of a cool breeze on my skin. It was a sweet morning already, but when we rounded the path not far from the house, a sight stunned me into silence. About 10 or 12 of our local deer lay in a semi-circular shape around my neighbor’s yard, having slept there during the night. When they sensed our presence, some lifted their heads, but did not bolt or run. Nor did Sage bark, though her attention quickened. An Edward Hick’s “Peaceable Kingdom” in miniature, the scene might well have been accompanied by Handle’s “Sheep May Safely Graze.” But there was something even more touching about this particular scene in this particular place. My neighbor’s husband had died unexpectedly a few years ago from an aggressive brain cancer, and her own cancer had recently returned. Her doctors said there was nothing more to be done. My heart felt an aching tenderness that these beautiful does had come where they were needed, and I hoped that they offered some healing through their trust and gentleness. The next morning Sage roused me while I was still lazing in bed. I reached over, stroked her fur, and received a bounty of morning kisses. Then I rolled out of bed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and got ready to take her for our ritual walk. She followed the scents of night creatures—possum, raccoon, deer, cats and dogs mostly-- and soon we approached our neighbor’s property. The deer were gathered round again—but this time standing, alert, waiting for their share of deer corn that Cheryl was tossing to them. Because we both had our dogs with us—hers a tiny Yorkie off its leash—we hailed each other in country greetings and I proceeded on my walk. I thought of Jesus’ direction to Peter in the book of John: Feed my sheep, and smiled an inward blessing for her nurture of these soulful creatures. The morning we left the lake Cheryl was at her post again, casting corn to the hungry herd. With the drive ahead and a less than restful sleep, I almost just waved and moved on, but as so often happens now, my GPS homes in on compassionate connection. I turned toward her and we talked of our dogs and her family who had come from California to visit, some of whom were still there. Gently but directly, we approached the subject of her cancer and whether the medications were keeping the pain under control. “I will hold you in prayer,” I said. “See you next time.” At this time in my life, these moments of pure presence, these moments of radical tenderness move me more than I can say. They are part of an ongoing transformation of the heart that is at once mystery and wonder, yet another touch of Grace for which gratitude and service to others are the most fitting responses. PRAYER So much is still rough cut and unpolished in me, O God, but your mercy and grace have fashioned this tender-heartedness that reaches out toward others as trees do the sun. And for that I give you thanks and praise. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dr. Pat Saxon
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