Wednesday – July 20, 2022
Hardy Haberman
John 6:48-51
Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
WORDS OF HOPE
I have always considered bread to be one of the most amazing inventions of humankind. I suspect somewhere, someone long ago was cooking gruel and spilled some of it on one of the rocks of their hearth. As it baked it became a solid substance and they peeled it away and tasted it and the world was never the same.
At an archeological dig in Jordan, bits of bread were found that date over 14,000 years old. This predates the beginnings of cultivation of grains by 4,000 years! A tribe of hunter-gatherers found enough grain and other ingredients, processed them into some kind of flour and baked bread. It was a long process and perhaps was something reserved for special occasions, yet the primordial breadcrumbs found show a variety of ingredients and even spices used in the making of this bread.
Because bread is so central to civilization and such a staple of everyday life it is no wonder Jesus uses bread as a central metaphor in his teachings. People understood the work and time needed to bake bread. The long and sometimes arduous processes needed to grow the grain, grind it into flour and bake it.
I believe Jesus is not offering a quick easy meal that will give us eternal life, but a recipe in his teachings that will bake his message into each of us.
PRAYER
May we let Christ into our lives to help us grind our grain exceedingly fine and give us the tools to bake a bread that will last eternally.
Amen
DEVOTION AUTHOR
Hardy Haberman
Need More Inspiration? Read our Daily Devotions
SCRIPTURE James 4. 11-12 Brothers and sisters do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who can save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? WORDS OF HOPE Today the daily lectionary reading is about judging each other. It is written by James, who is widely believed to be one of Jesus’ brothers. He would certainly have been familiar with the results of gossip and slander. This is a classic passage on the subject in the first century, a tumultuous time for the faith community. The church first started compiling these daily Bible readings in the 7th century, but has human nature changed since that time? What would they know about human nature today? After a quick look at social media lately, I would say they knew quite a lot. I don’t know if people in those days made self-improvement lists like we often see on Facebook but refraining from constantly judging one another should be high on most of our lists. The writer of the Book of James gets to the point right away, calling our constant judgment of one another slander, which has become an expected behavior pattern among politicians and news commentators. Whether our behavior is focused politically or not, judgment of our neighbors has become a common practice in our society and James reminds us that judging against our sisters and brothers is judging against the law itself. To what law is he referring? Many scholars believe it is his own brother’s law that he sees being broken. What was Jesus’ only commandment to us? -To love one another…and in doing so, to love God and ourselves. We often read social media posts routinely containing highly inflammatory remarks, turning private disputes into a public broadcasts and personal name-calling into published slander. The situations could easily become expensive and time-wasting court cases simply because of forgetting the simply stated law to love one another. Obviously, human nature has not changed since the first century, but the internet has afforded us the opportunity to spread our slanders much quicker. It’s easy to judge the evils of social media, but the evil lies in its misuse. Resolving not to judge, on or offline, is a much more productive use of our time, which can be better spent reflecting on the law of James’ brother. PRAYER Thank you for the gifts of the technology that can be the blessings or the curses on our lives. May we be guided by your love that always dwells within us. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare
SCRIPTURE Ephesians 1. 12-14 …in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. WORDS OF HOPE Can you recall standing on the playground, lined up with all the other kids from your class, waiting for some “appointed” captain to pick their teams? It didn’t even matter what game we were going to play, most stood anxiously as the choosing began. I know I was mumbling under my breath “pick me, pick me” because no one wanted to be an afterthought or picked last. The good news, we are not an afterthought in the mind of God who says, “I guess you will have to do, you’re not my first choice, but there you go…” Instead, it is the exact opposite. Before the beginning of the world God chose us to be in relationship. And every act of God since then is to remind us we were “predestined ” to be adopted as children, to be welcomed into Gods family. We are part of the purposes, the plans of God, and we can feel joyful, confident and blessed knowing we were chosen because we are loved. As the church song says: “Count your blessings name them one by one and you will be amazed at what the Lord has done.” Paul counts his blessings and rejoices knowing he was chosen by God, adopted into the whole family, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just by being born, we are all uniquely stamped with fingerprints that no else ever has been nor ever will be given. PRAYER God of all creation, as we count our blessings and name them out loud giving you the glory, let us remember to share our joy with ALL humankind. In Jesus name, Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donna Jackson
SCRIPTURE Psalm 94: 1-3 Lord, you God of vengeance, you God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; give to the proud what they deserve! O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? WORDS OF HOPE The Psalms are song lyrics. They were meant to be sung I believe and as such they often express the frustration and anguish of the composer. In this case it is frustration, and one whose words I could echo almost on a daily basis. Seems the wicked are indeed exult, parading their misdeeds and boasting and blustery. It is nothing new, apparently, since these words are thousands of years old. The good news is that most people who deal in spinning evil end up being caught in their own web. The psalmist would consider that Divine retribution, since their vision of God was very much black and white. My view of the Divine is much less one of a vengeful God who rules by might, but a loving power that persuades through example. Sometimes that persuasion takes longer than I would like, but that timetable is not under my control. PRAYER God of love and serenity, grant me patience and grace, that I may carry your love forth by example and not succumb to vengeful acts. DEVOTION AUTHOR Hardy Haberman
READING "Many proposals have been made to us to adopt your laws, your religion, your manners and your customs. We would be better pleased with beholding the good effects of these doctrines in your own practices, than with hearing you talk about them". ~Old Tassel, Chief of the Tsalagi (Cherokee) WORDS OF HOPE Today is the Trail of Tears Remembrance Day. If you don't recall from the history class somewhere, the Trail of Tears was at a time when the United States forcibly removed the Native American Cherokee peoples from their homeland in the southeastern part of the United States. They were moved from Georgia and other parts of the South to reservations in Oklahoma. This was prompted by Americans who wanted land and the discovery of gold in Georgia. The quote above sums up for me the entirety of Christian Nationalism from the viewpoint of its victims. The early 19th century was the birthplace of Manifest Destiny, the belief that descendants of European Christians, mostly Protestant, assuredly white, were given the right by God to spread their superior culture, religion, and way of life from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They further believed that the indigenous tribes they encountered would be better served (as would their own economy) by adopting the ways of the immigrant Europeans. Clearly Chief Tassel has been exposed to this concept. And the interesting thing to me is not that he objects to the culture, or the religion, or the way of life. His objection comes from someone trying to impose those things on him and his people when they themselves do not evidence that they live with any of those things either. Basically, he says we don’t see where they’re doing you any good; so why would we expect these things to do us any good? Bringing in this concept forward, we need to stop and think about two things. We live at a time when many people are trying to force upon us certain things that they feel are necessary for all of us to be “saved”. And yet many of those folks do not live in a manner that shows that they follow those things. To me the most available example is the large number of people who insist that the 10 Commandments, be part of our education system when they barely follow any one of them with any diligence or faith. But the other thing we need to stop and consider whether we, and believe me when I say we includes me, live up to the lifestyle that we profess. We say we are followers of Christ. We need to be sure that we live into what it is we say. Or like Chief Tassel, the people we are trying to introduce to a Christ-like life who question our sincerity. So as you go through your day think of the words of Saint Francis who is reputed to have said “preach often, sometimes use words”. PRAYER God of all people, help me be an example of Your love. Give me the grace to be an example of the Christ in this world so that others might see You in all I do. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Weber Baker Order of Saint Francis and Saint Clare
SCRIPTURE Genesis 17: 4-5 As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. READING What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene 2 WORDS OF HOPE A few months ago, Kasandra and I saw the musical & Juliet. It’s a vibrant pop musical that reimagines Shakespeare's tragic heroine Juliet choosing to live after Romeo's death, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The musical keeps the sentiment of ‘a rose by any other name’, but it expands on this idea to show that, in reality, names and societal labels do have power and can significantly influence identity, relationships, and outcomes. Names are not superficial but deeply embedded in our society and are difficult to overcome. Perhaps the bravest person I know is my non-binary child Orion. In a culture where trans people are vilified and their identity has been officially rejected by the State, they shine like a star. They continue their Library Science studies, run a produce department at a grocery store, care for their cat Toothless, and love people unconditionally. They embrace themselves and care deeply for others. Yes, I am an extremely proud papa. There’s a Biblical embracing of name changes as being sacred. The name changes often accompany transitions in identity and calling. This aligns powerfully with queer experiences of gender and identity affirmation. Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah. Jesus renames Simon to be Peter. Saul becomes Paul. These moments resonate with people who have wrestled with their identity and emerged with new, truer names — not as rejection of the past, but as holy affirmation of who they are becoming. From a queer biblical lens, changing your name is a sacred act of becoming, affirming the divine image within. Mirroring biblical transformations, changing one’s name becomes a testimony of resilience and truth. It says: “I have wrestled, I have survived, I have seen God, and I will be who I will be.” Last month, my niece Abigael wrote this in her Facebook feed: Tomorrow morning, I'm participating in the Rite of Blessing a New Identity at St. John's. The transformation that God has done in me since moving to Minnesota 6 years is too amazing to put in words. I am so grateful for the parts each of you have played in my life. The Holy Spirit is wild and free, but when you chase after Her with your whole self, all fear and falseness fall away, and all that remains is love. In that transformation of name and identity, in that affirmation of becoming, the rose might smell even sweeter. PRAYER Blessed are You, Source of Becoming, who calls us by our true names, even before we speak them aloud. Like Jacob becoming Israel, like Sarai becoming Sarah, like You, O God, who said, “I will be who I will be” — we rise into our name with courage, with pride, and with You beside me. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Thomas Riggs
SCRIPTURE The Revelation of John 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. God will dwell with them; they will be God’s people, and God will be with them and be their God; God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” WORDS OF HOPE The End or the Beginning? What is going on in your life now? Do you see yourself at a particular place, stage or phase of your life? Is it a time of beginnings? Beginnings can happen repeatedly. Beginnings occur whether we are young or old or in the middle of something or some time. Even the word “begin” starts with the word “beg” which evokes a plea or asks for something that is not yet. Beginnings are opportunities. Beginnings are opportunities to start something, give something, receive something, create something, invite something or someone into being. Notably, the word beginning is often associated with the word “new,” which evokes a freshness and youthful energy that brings anticipation of what is yet to be. Anyone can turn the page and write the words, “The End.” It takes intention, creativity, and effort to turn the page and write a new chapter. Beyond that, it requires sacrifice and the desire to bring positive change in the world to make that chapter not just another chapter, but one that becomes a legacy. When a faith community that had been established generations ago found itself dwindling down to only a handful of people, a choice had to be made. The congregation could do nothing until the last remnant of folks died or were no longer able to sustain what they collectively had. They could choose to close and write the words, “The End,” on their history. Instead, they chose to rethink their ending to make it a legacy, not merely for their own benefit but potentially for generations to come. They gifted their large and aging building to a much larger congregation in need of space with which to launch a satellite community. This larger church had the financial resources to make the necessary repairs and refurbishments the building so desperately needed. Just over a year later, from the ashes of a declining congregation, rose an inviting new home for new generations of people seeking to establish spiritual roots and holy connections. Followers of Jesus are called to embody hope, to practice resurrection of spirit and community, to live out redemptive Grace that sees new beginnings in endings and works to make it happen. We can do it with our own lives. We can do it collectively as a group or community, small or large. Transformation starts with divine connection. It is guided and sustained by the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit. Transformation moves forward by the compelling faith that love and perseverance can outlast despair. PRAYER Come, Holy Spirit, and freshen our lives with new beginnings and the vision, faith, hope, love and connections to make it so. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Gary Kindley Pastoral Psychotherapist drgk.org