Wednesday - September 18, 2024

SCRIPTURE Romans 2.17-29 (The Inclusive Bible) Now, if you place your confidence in your religious identity, if you rely on your understanding of God’s teachings and take pride in your relationship with God. WORDS OF HOPE National Cat Day Lions, tigers, and tabby cats?? Today is National Cat Day, and I’m convinced God has a sense of humor. I imagine God winking: “Yes. This is how I intended it to be.” Cats are affectionate, stubborn, dramatic, and ridiculous. They race through apartments, ponder empty walls, then curl into sunlight. Perhaps we need creatures who remind us to laugh and slow down. We buy expensive toys, only for cats to declare a cardboard box the greatest gift imaginable. Apparently, I don’t decorate my apartment; my cat, Nelson does. Maybe there’s theology here. We chase what is impressive, forgetting joy in simple things. Sometimes the cardboard box is enough. I’m convinced God created cats to make sure gravity exists. Pens, cups, phones, anything near an edge becomes an experiment. Newton had an apple. I have Nelson. My orange tuxedo cat believes gravity requires lifelong research. Perhaps cats are secretly liquid. How else can they curl into balls, become loaves, and squeeze into impossible spaces? Nelson tests physics daily and keeps humans humble. Nelson depends on me for food, water, shelter, and affection, but I depend on him for companionship, laughter, and comfort. When he rubs against me, I imagine him saying, “Of all the humans in the world, this one is mine.” Nelson is my unofficial therapist, philosopher, comedian, treat inspector, computer supervisor, guru, and occasional menace. This may be my apartment, but it’s Nelson’s home. I pay the rent. He apparently owns the place. Perhaps cats can teach us to rest. We live in a culture that measures worth by productivity, where sitting still can feel like failure. Meanwhile, a cat sleeps for hours without guilt. Rest is not laziness. Joy is not frivolous. We are human beings, not productivity machines. When Nelson curls beside me and purrs, I remember I can stop, breathe, and simply be. His purr becomes a soundtrack for Sabbath. One of my favorite saints is Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, a seventh-century abbess in what is now Belgium. She devoted herself to prayer, hospitality, and caring for the poor and travelers. Her association with cats developed through later tradition. Her story reminds me holiness isn’t about escaping everyday life; it’s about meeting life with generosity and care. Love is rarely tidy, and grace rarely arrives on schedule. The sacred doesn’t always announce itself with stained glass or choirs. Sometimes it arrives with four paws, whiskers, a loud purr, and a ridiculous sleeping position. Compassion can mean welcoming a stranger, helping a neighbor, or sitting beside an animal. Today, I’m grateful for cats, especially Nelson, my orange tuxedo philosopher. I’m grateful for the laughter, toys, zoomies, gravity experiments, naps, and purrs. Creation reminds us love needs not be grand to be real, and holiness needs not be complicated to be profound. Sometimes holiness has whiskers. Sometimes grace has four paws. Sometimes wisdom comes in an orange-and-white package covered in fur. When Nelson purrs beside me, I imagine God whispering, “See? There is still joy here today.” PRAYER God of all creation, thank you for the cats who teach us to laugh, rest, wonder, and love. Bless the animals who share our lives and comfort us when we need it. Hold close those we have loved and lost, and help us notice the sacredness in every purr, every raised tail, and every moment of companionship. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Reed Kirkman

SCRIPTURE  Matthew 19.16, 21,22 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”…Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”…When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. WORDS OF HOPE Today’s Scripture excerpts are from the Gospel of Matthew relating the story of one of Jesus’ many appearances before a large crowd. A young man in the crowd asks him about the state of his eternal soul, mistakenly thinking that he would have to work his way toward perfection to be secure of his fate. Jesus gives him an answer meant not only for the others in the large crowd to hear, but eventually, words for us to contemplate today. His answer must have made the young man and the crowd uncomfortable, but many of us as well. It was all about money. “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor?” The Young man was wealthy and went away sad. How would you feel? Is this the requirement for following Jesus? In comparison to most of the worlds’ population the majority of America’s population would be considered wealthy; not just the billionaires, but any of us who are not worried about the possibility of even having our next meal, or fearing it could be our last. Jesus knew the minds of his audience and of each individual who came to him for advice or healing. He knew the mind of the young man and what was of the most importance in his life. He didn’t say sell all of your possessions, but the young man heard it that way. The thought of parting from what he held most dear sent him away sad, no longer curious about anything else Jesus might have to say; no longer worrying about his eternal soul. It’s an interesting challenge for each of us. What in our lives is our roadblock to following the examples set by Jesus? What comes to our minds when Jesus’ simple invitation to “follow me” sounds like a monumental task? Do we just lose faith and walk away sad or decide to hang around a while longer and hear what else he has to say? PRAYER Understanding God, help us to remember that often the teachings of Jesus that make us feel uncomfortable are the ones we need to hear the most. DEVOTION AUTHOR Dan Peeler Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE Psalm 102:2 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that people yet unborn may praise the Lord. WORDS OF HOPE Writers of our daily devotionals may choose their own topics, drawing inspiration from the lectionary and various observances. When I saw that today is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage , I thought, surely, I can find something a little more spiritual—and that sounds more like devotional material! But curiosity led me to take a closer look. The purpose of this day of observance is to draw attention to the fragile films, recordings, and digital media that preserve our history, as well as the people who protect them. This reminded me of the twelve stones Israel raised beside the Jordan in Joshua 4. God intended them as a lasting reminder so that when children asked, “What do these stones mean?” their elders could tell how God had brought His people safely through the river. Throughout Scripture, as Psalm 102:2 reminds us, God calls His people to remember His works and share them with future generations. Biblical remembrance is not about living in the past; it strengthens our faith today and teaches those who follow us to trust and obey God. Photographs, recordings, sermons, interviews, and family stories can remind us of God’s faithfulness. Technology preserves voices and images, but their deeper value lies in the stories they tell and the truths they keep alive. CoH Facebook followers likely know Jeanette Bell, whose camera is ever-present at worship, events, and fellowship. By sharing images of welcome, service, connection, and joy, Jeanette creates a ministry of remembrance that reveals God’s grace in ordinary moments Like the twelve stones beside the Jordan, her photographs preserve evidence of God’s faithfulness and invite future generations to ask, “What do these pictures mean?” They can open the door to stories of answered prayer, faithful service, fellowship, and the Lord carrying the congregation through seasons of change. A photograph cannot tell the whole story, but it can become a modern stone of remembrance, prompting us to say, “Look what God has done among us!” Reflecting God’s faithfulness requires neither a pulpit nor a title; sometimes ministry begins simply by paying attention. Cameras and recordings capture moments, but God gives them meaning. A picture shared today may inspire gratitude now and testify to His faithfulness for generations to come. As the Cathedral of Hope celebrates its 56th anniversary, we are reminded of the importance of preserving the memories, stories, and milestones that have shaped our journey of faith. We should do so thoughtfully, honoring the truth and dignity of others while helping future generations see where the Lord has led us. Preserving our stories becomes more than saving information. It becomes a way of passing on the story of God’s faithfulness through ministry, worship, service, and love. That is why World Day for Audiovisual Heritage holds spiritual meaning for us. It reminds us that preserving today’s images, voices, and stories helps future generations remember, celebrate, and praise God for all that God has done and continues to do for us. PRAYER Faithful God, thank You for the many ways You have shown Your goodness among us. Help us remember what You have done and share those stories with those who come after us. Give us wisdom to preserve what is true, grace to honor one another, and eyes to see Your presence in the ordinary moments of life. May every image, voice, and story we share become a testimony to Your faithfulness. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR David Sims, Deacon

SCRIPTURE  Luke 24.38 And He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why are doubts arising in your hearts? WORDS OF HOPE During the turbulent times in which we find ourselves, not knowing what the next rant might be on the internet, usually surrounding the disreputable actions of some Federal official or politician, it's hard to let go of the more civil and comfortable old ways in which things had always been done. We often look with nostalgia at how our lives were at that time. Currently, America's example of that can be summed up in the now-ancient cult phrase, "Make America Great Again". Whether we like it or not, the "way it was" has changed, and the "new stuff," some say the new normal, has often been very disquieting and emotionally challenging. There are citizens in our nation today who even fear for their lives and/or freedom born in that ambiguous phrase. The dilemma of Jesus’ disciples comes to mind. They, too, had suddenly been thrust into their own “new normal.” A few days after Jesus' death, his disciples feared that they as well might be seized or killed, so they met in a locked room. But suddenly, Jesus appeared among them. He had transported himself through a locked door in a way which previously was unknown. They thought he must be a ghost and were terrified. Then Jesus said to them, "Peace be with you". He let them touch the flesh and bones of his transitional body and even ate some of the food at their table. The disciples needed Jesus' help to accommodate to this new state of his presence in their lives, (Luke 24:36-43) and Jesus provided the necessary reassurance! The good news to us today is that Jesus is still with us. And we don’t need to be surprised or terrified like the disciples. As we allow ourselves to be comforted by this reality, we know by faith experience that he will be present with us, to guide and comfort us through the numerous transitions we must make for the good of our nation as we strengthen our spiritual life. PRAYER God of resurrections, thank you that we have this example from Luke reminding us Jesus as our guide, his example of courage and determination, will always be with us through both the challenges and the changes before us and all our neighbors of this world. Amen DEVOTION AUTHOR Donald (Luke) Day Order of St. Francis and St. Clare

SCRIPTURE  1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. WORDS OF HOPE “Faith and Risk” Rev. Dr. Fred Craddock died in 2015 at the age of 86. He was recognized as one of the most respected and popular Christian preachers, theologians, and professors of the 20th century. He once said: “The major themes of the Christian faith—caring, giving, witnessing, trusting, loving, hoping—cannot be understood or lived without risk.” (Craddock, Preaching the New Common Lectionary:Year A, After Pentecost, p 280) Not many churches or Christian organizations have large signs by the front door saying, “Come Join Us and Risk Everything!” We prefer COMFORT. We want to be cared for and loved and prefer a faith that doesn’t cost too much or ask too much of us. Re-read what Craddock said: “The major themes of the Christian faith—caring, giving, witnessing, trusting, loving, hoping—cannot be understood or lived without RISK.” As Jesus followers, we are reminded that Jesus gave all so that God’s sacrificial love might be revealed. No easy discipleship, just a servant heart of compassion and trust with hope. All while living within the boundaries of the Gospel that reaffirms the boundaries of doing for others as we would have them do for us, and loving God [including all of God’s creation] and neighbor as we love ourselves. That is Christ-like faith in a nutshell. That is the heart of Christianity. How do we risk? We witness to the true Hope of the Gospel that calls us to live today like we claim we will live in heaven. We show compassion to a stranger. We welcome an immigrant. We stand up to a bully. We speak out when someone is harming God’s creation. We give, and serve, and share what we have. May we live into the full capacity of our courage so that we might risk, like Jesus, living faithfully every day. PRAYER Grant us the courage, O God, to believe and love enough so that we become a living witness to the love that has changed our life forever—The love of Christ Jesus, who has shown us the way. Amen. DEVOTION AUTHOR Rev. Dr. Gary G. Kindley, LPC Pastoral Psychotherapist DrGK.org