Peter was speaking to a crowd of people who had not understood or recognized who Jesus was. Now they do. They ask, "What can we do now?"
Who needs to read today's scripture--the Peters among us or the crowds who didn't get it before?
It's far easier than we would want it to be to imagine religious people whose lives are being lived largely without any acknowledgement or recognition of Christ.
Peter denied knowing Christ and did so explicitly. He was afraid. Many later Christians don't voice any explicit denial, but their allegiance to Christ's teachings might be pretty hard to discern.
Who needs to read today's scripture?
Some of Christ's teachings may be easier for us to fit into our daily lives than others. Most of us can go through the day without committing acts of violence or stealing anything, for example. Harder though is giving up selfishness or fear.
Who needs to be asking the question, "What can we do now?"
Peter said, "The promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away."
We need to tell this story so others can hear, and we need to listen to this story so we can live the lives that Christ intends for us. We may be far away in calendar years from Peter's questioners, but do we really need to be far away in recognizing the need for repentance?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Daily Prayer, Thursday, May 5, 2011
Morning
O Lord, you are always beside us. You do not abandon us. We continue to give you thanks.
Invitatory Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
We praise you in your sanctuary;
We praise you in your mighty firmament!
We praise you for you mighty deeds;
We praise you for your exceeding greatness!
....
Psalms 39, 40
Daily Lectionary Reading, Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Lectio Divina
Midday Psalm 119:68-77
Prayer for Today:
Lord of Life, submitting to death, you conquered the grave.
By being lifted on a cross you draw all peoples to you.
By being raised from the dead you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin.
Throughout these fifty days of Easter we proclaim the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. Amen.
(James F. White, UMBOW 394).
For all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity. Amen.
Evening
Psalm 69
O Lord, you are always beside us. You do not abandon us. We continue to give you thanks.
Invitatory Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!
We praise you in your sanctuary;
We praise you in your mighty firmament!
We praise you for you mighty deeds;
We praise you for your exceeding greatness!
....
Psalms 39, 40
Daily Lectionary Reading, Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Lectio Divina
For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far ways, everyone whom God calls to him (Acts 2:39).
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people (Psalm 116:14).
Midday Psalm 119:68-77
Prayer for Today:
Lord of Life, submitting to death, you conquered the grave.
By being lifted on a cross you draw all peoples to you.
By being raised from the dead you restored to humanity all that we had lost through sin.
Throughout these fifty days of Easter we proclaim the marvelous mystery of death and resurrection. Amen.
(James F. White, UMBOW 394).
For all praise is yours, now and throughout eternity. Amen.
Evening
Psalm 69
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Some Things You Have to Tell Somebody, a Reflection on Luke 24:32-35
As soon as they recognize him, they can understand something that has already happened, something that they hadn't noticed at the time but now makes sense to them--"Were not our hearts burning within while he was talking to us about the Bible?"
It's night, they've had a long walk, it's after supper, and they decide to go back to Jerusalem right then, not the next day.
The recognition of the Lord has to be shared, and shared immediately.
In Jerusalem, they learned that the Lord had also appeared to Simon.
Note the repeat about how he had been made know to them in the breaking of the bread. We usually interpret this to be related to Holy Communion, but we may also want to think about we recognize Christ in our midst when we share those ordinary meals as well.
It's night, they've had a long walk, it's after supper, and they decide to go back to Jerusalem right then, not the next day.
The recognition of the Lord has to be shared, and shared immediately.
In Jerusalem, they learned that the Lord had also appeared to Simon.
Note the repeat about how he had been made know to them in the breaking of the bread. We usually interpret this to be related to Holy Communion, but we may also want to think about we recognize Christ in our midst when we share those ordinary meals as well.
Daily Prayer, Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Morning
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 100
Psalm 37
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:32-35
Lectio Divina
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35).
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people (Psalm 16:14).
Prayer for Today:
Forgive us our foolishness and resurrect our spirits so that we may see you in the breaking of bread, so that we may see you in our neighbors, and so that we may see you in the events of history and the events of each day (Prayers of the People, Richard Einerson).
Midday Psalm 119:57-67
Evening
Psalms 62, 63, 68
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, who made us, is God.
....
God's steadfast love endures for ever;
God's faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 37
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:32-35
Lectio Divina
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35).
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people (Psalm 16:14).
Prayer for Today:
Forgive us our foolishness and resurrect our spirits so that we may see you in the breaking of bread, so that we may see you in our neighbors, and so that we may see you in the events of history and the events of each day (Prayers of the People, Richard Einerson).
Midday Psalm 119:57-67
Evening
Psalms 62, 63, 68
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Recognition of Christ, a Reflection on Luke 24:25-31
Although the one that they had hoped would rescue them had himself been executed, although they had not been able to see for themselves the angels that some of the women had said had told them that he was not alive, they still allow a stranger to walk along with them, to talk with them. They even listen to a sermon from him. Then, since the day is almost over, they invite him to stay with them.
Loss. Disappointment. Frustration. Yet, an offer of hospitality.
And at the table, when he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with them, they recognized him.
Loss, disappointment, and frustration did not end with those first Christians.
And, as we celebrate Holy Communion, we can recognize him.
Loss. Disappointment. Frustration. Yet, an offer of hospitality.
And at the table, when he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with them, they recognized him.
Loss, disappointment, and frustration did not end with those first Christians.
And, as we celebrate Holy Communion, we can recognize him.
Daily Prayer, Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Morning
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 84
Psalm 36
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:28-31
Lectio Divina
Prayer for Today:
Open our eyes so that we may see you in the breaking of bread, so that we may we see you in our neighbors, and so that we may see you in the events that are happening around us each day. Amen. (from Prayers of the People, Richard Einerson.
Midday Psalm 119:49-56
Evening
Psalms 11, 14, 15, 16
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 84
Psalm 36
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:28-31
Lectio Divina
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30).
Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray, save my life!" (Psalm 16:4).
Prayer for Today:
Open our eyes so that we may see you in the breaking of bread, so that we may we see you in our neighbors, and so that we may see you in the events that are happening around us each day. Amen. (from Prayers of the People, Richard Einerson.
Midday Psalm 119:49-56
Evening
Psalms 11, 14, 15, 16
Monday, May 2, 2011
On the Road to Emmaus, a Reflection on Luke 24:13-24
Not everyone catches on right away. Jesus was right there with them. And they didn't recognize him. They knew about the resurrection. They were even surprised that their travel companion didn't seem to.
They may not have been able to recognize Jesus right away, but they are ready to talk about him to strangers who show interest.
They tell of what they had been expecting and what they had been told.
They tell this stranger about Jesus, how he was a prophet and the one who had been sent to redeem them; yet he had been handed over by the religious authorities to the Romans who had consequently condemned him to death and crucified him.
The story got stranger. Some of the women in their group had told them that when they had gone to visit his tomb, a vision of angels had said he was still alive. Hearing this, some in the group went to the tomb and confirmed that the body was missing, but they didn't see Jesus.
And, on the road to Damascus, they don't recognize him yet.
They may not have been able to recognize Jesus right away, but they are ready to talk about him to strangers who show interest.
They tell of what they had been expecting and what they had been told.
They tell this stranger about Jesus, how he was a prophet and the one who had been sent to redeem them; yet he had been handed over by the religious authorities to the Romans who had consequently condemned him to death and crucified him.
The story got stranger. Some of the women in their group had told them that when they had gone to visit his tomb, a vision of angels had said he was still alive. Hearing this, some in the group went to the tomb and confirmed that the body was missing, but they didn't see Jesus.
And, on the road to Damascus, they don't recognize him yet.
Daily Prayer, Monday, May 2, 2011
Morning
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 95
O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise!
Psalm 34
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:13-24
Lectio Divina
Prayer for Today
O Lord, how many times have you been right there with us and we didn't even recognize you? Amen.
Midday Psalm 119:41-48
Evening
Psalms 46, 48, 49
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
Invitatory Psalm 95
O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God's presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise!
Psalm 34
Daily Lectionary Reading, Luke 24:13-24
Lectio Divina
Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him (Luke 24:24).
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish (Psalm 16:1-3).
Prayer for Today
O Lord, how many times have you been right there with us and we didn't even recognize you? Amen.
Midday Psalm 119:41-48
Evening
Psalms 46, 48, 49
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Outcome of Your Faith, a Reflection on 1 Peter 1:8-9
Well, yes, we are separated from those Christians by a couple of thousand years, but we may forget that very few of them had personal contact with Jesus during his ministry. Peter was writing to people who had not eaten a meal with Jesus, or had a conversation with him, or even met him.
He said, "Even though you haven't seen him and don't see him now, you believe in him."
And this belief is bringing them great benefit, indescribable and glorious joy.
The outcome of their faith is the salvation of their souls.
But what he meant by the word "soul" is not exactly how we how come to define it.
The Greek word, psyche, translated as soul means self, human being, or one's inmost being. The soul is not just a part of the person, it is the person.
Despite how we often misunderstand what Peter is giving them assurance of, he is not restricting the benefits to a ticket to heaven after they die. He's saying, "You are receiving the outcome of your faith now."
He said, "Even though you haven't seen him and don't see him now, you believe in him."
And this belief is bringing them great benefit, indescribable and glorious joy.
The outcome of their faith is the salvation of their souls.
But what he meant by the word "soul" is not exactly how we how come to define it.
The Greek word, psyche, translated as soul means self, human being, or one's inmost being. The soul is not just a part of the person, it is the person.
Despite how we often misunderstand what Peter is giving them assurance of, he is not restricting the benefits to a ticket to heaven after they die. He's saying, "You are receiving the outcome of your faith now."
Daily Prayer, Sunday, May 1, 2011
Morning
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
O Lord, you have comforted your people,
and will have compassion on your suffering ones.
(from UMBOW 379)
Invitatory Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;
for God has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in God's holy place?
....
Psalms 32, 33
Daily Lectionary Reading, 1 Peter 1:8-9
Lectio Divina
Prayer for Today:
Elusive God,
companion on the way,
you walk behind, beside, beyond;
you catch us unawares.
Beak through the disillusionment and despair
clouding our vision,
that, with wide-eyed wonder,
we may find our way
and journey on
as messengers of your good news. Amen.
RCL Prayers, Fortress Press.
Evening
Psalms 44, 45
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
O Lord, you have comforted your people,
and will have compassion on your suffering ones.
(from UMBOW 379)
Invitatory Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein;
for God has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in God's holy place?
....
Psalms 32, 33
Daily Lectionary Reading, 1 Peter 1:8-9
Lectio Divina
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9).
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fulness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
Prayer for Today:
Elusive God,
companion on the way,
you walk behind, beside, beyond;
you catch us unawares.
Beak through the disillusionment and despair
clouding our vision,
that, with wide-eyed wonder,
we may find our way
and journey on
as messengers of your good news. Amen.
RCL Prayers, Fortress Press.
Evening
Psalms 44, 45
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