Friday, March 13th
How often are we like the tenants in this parable, longing to keep the produce of God’s vineyard for ourselves instead of returning to God all that is rightfully his? What fruit are we producing for God? In what areas are we hoarding things from God, telling God that he cannot speak into this one particular aspect of our lives? Today I talk about all these things and challenge us to allow God to be the God of all of aspects of our lives.
Thursday, March 12th
I’ve always looked at this parable as a parable about salvation, but I noticed today that Jesus says nothing about faith or living a righteous life. No, Lazarus is with Abraham in heaven because he’s poor and being comforted, and the rich man is in Hades suffering, seemingly, because he’s rich. And I realize, compared to so much of the world, I’m rich. If you have a roof over your head and don’t worry about where your next meal is coming from, then compared to so much of the world, you are too. What do we do with this parable, and how do we live out lives of faith, when God so clearly loves the poor, and we have resources we could be using to help the poor, but likely are not.
Wednesday, March 11th
Greatness in the kingdom of God is defined not by lording things over people but by being a servant. Jesus himself demonstrated this through the vulnerability he displayed in his willingness to go to Jerusalem and face the chief priests, the Gentiles, and eventually the cross itself. We too are called to be not only servants but to be willing to be vulnerable so that we may be more authentic followers of Jesus.
Tuesday, March 10th
Jesus said to do everything the Pharisees taught, for they were right in what they taught, but not to imitate them, because they did not practice what they preached. People naturally want to be appreciated and some even like to be noticed. But in the spiritual life, what is important is not for others to think we’re anything, but instead, in humility, merely to seek to be faithful and to focus more on walking the walk than talking the talk. And then we leave any acclaim and honor to God to give, rather than seeking to elevate ourselves.
Monday, March 9th
My boys often try to imitate me, as is natural for fathers and sons at their age, but this ties in with the point Jesus makes in the lesson today, that we should strive to be like our father in heaven. Merciful, as our father is merciful. Forgiving. Just. For in the end, we will receive back to us what we give, so let us sow seeds of love, grace, and mercy.
Sunday, March 8th
Many times it can be so easy to get wrapped up in all the ways we’re supposed to talk and we’re supposed to do that it can be hard simply to listen and to be, resting sure that God loves us not because of what we could say or what we could do, but because of who we are as his beloved children. Today, looking at the transfiguration, I explore how it is we can listen to God and learn to rest in our identity as God’s children.
Saturday, March 7th
It’s easy to love those who love us, but Jesus says everyone does that, so there’s no real merit in it. The challenging thing, and the spiritual thing, is to learn to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.
Friday, March 6th
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus mentioned various Old Testament laws and then went a step further, in order to get to the heart behind them. Not only are we not to murder, he says, but even anger can be a problem, to the point that if we know someone is holding a grudge against us, Jesus says it is our responsibility to go to the wounded party (even if we don’t agree!), in order to seek reconciliation. Today, let us take these words seriously and seek to be reconciled with those with whom we are angry, as well as those that we know are angry with us.
Thursday, March 5th
We have this amazing promise from Jesus, that those who seek God will find him. And we can be confident of this because God has initiated that relationship with us, first seeking us. No matter what we do, God, as our loving father, intends good for us and loves us thoroughly.
Wednesday, March 4th
Do we seek God because of what we hope God will give us or do we seek God because we love him? Often in the beginning, we seek God for the blessings we receive. But as we mature, it’s important to learn to adore God for who God is, because we love God, more than seeking God out of a desire for selfish gain.