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Monday, October 19, 2020
“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” —John 8:36
In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt laid out four essential freedoms that he argued should be universal: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. No doubt we all agree that these are important goals. And no doubt we all lament that we’ve yet to see these freedoms be guaranteed to every person in this broken world.
But even those of us who are more or less free to speak and worship, free from want and fear, experience bondage. In John 8, Jesus says that “everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Not only that, he says that “a slave has no permanent place in the family.” So we, who are sinners, are not only in bondage but also without permanent family.
Or we would be, if it were not for Jesus’ intervention. Jesus, the Son of the Living God, has invited us into his own life, has claimed us with his own identity. So we are forgiven and set free from sin and joined to the family of God. The freedom of Jesus is true freedom, lasting freedom, freedom from the ultimate enemies of sin and death and destruction. You have been made freed by the Son, and you are free indeed.
Friday, October 16, 2020
Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.
“He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” —Psalm 121:4
Are you a worrier? I tend to be. Even though Jesus reminded us not to worry (“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life …” [Matthew 6:25]), I find it difficult sometimes not to worry. I worry about my son’s health with his diabetes. I worry about the COVID-19 virus. I worry about many of the things I see happening in our world, especially the hatred, the violence, and the division.
So whenever I feel worried, I find Psalm 121 to be a comfort. It reminds me that no matter what is going on around me, and especially the things I have no control over, God is always with me. We may need to sleep, but God doesn’t. God is there, day and night, each day and every day. God is my protector and keeper. God listens to me and comforts me. God knows my very heart and everything that concerns me. Thank you, Lord!
“I lift my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:1-2
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
“Then Peter said: I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” Acts 10: 34-35
No matter how old I get, the first time I enter someone’s home it’s always a little awkward. Is this a shoes on or shoes off house? If I give the person my coat, will it go into a nearby closet which is easy to access when I’m ready to go or will it be taken into a room that resides in a part of the house that I may or may not see (especially raising the stakes when it’s a large gathering and I’m ready to make a polite exit)? Are other people already there? Do I know them? Do they look happy to see me or indifferent? How I’m welcomed goes a long way in knowing that someone is happy to have me around.
Today’s verse takes place right after the passage where Peter has a vision from God that makes it clear that, through the resurrection, adhering to strict Jewish laws that determine what is clean and unclean is no longer necessary. In effect, for each person who wants to come and know God, the door is open and God is waiting to warmly greet each person who walks through it. Today, may each one of us look for when God can use us to invite someone inside.
