Today, pay attention to everything you buy or consume. Do research on just five of those items and go as deep as you can to trace where it comes from. For instance, if you buy a shirt and you see it is made by Gap in Vietnam, find out as much as possible about the garment industry in Vietnam. Hold whatever it is you bought and pray for those who made it. Pray for forgiveness for the injustices that came... Read more
Today is a day filled with news, with analysis, with wondering at what the election will mean. But this news isn’t of great consequence in the midst of the much more important news of the Gospel. Today instead of spending too much time obsessing with the news of the day, read the news that really matters–pick one of the Gospels and read from it. What does the news of Christ’s coming, Christ’s love, Christ’s death and resurrection mean? What difference... Read more
No, it is not voting. Vote if you like, but Christians need to keep such actions in perspective and not get caught up in pseudo-salvations. We have a duty, as theologian Stanley Hauerwas recently said, not to take voting too seriously. Instead as an act of allegiance and reorientation take part in communion with other Christians. Throughout the country churches are holding communion to mark our true identity as Christ’s people. Find a Eucharist near you here: http://electiondaycommunion.org/participating-congregations/ Read more
I spy is a great game for long road trips; one of the best ways to occupy kids before the advent of the back seat DVD player. Today, play a kind of divine “I spy…” Look for signs of God around you. It could be a moment of grace, a person calling for you to live into Christ, a moment of beauty. Write down each moment and if possible play along with someone else who can help point you toward... Read more
Sabbath rest comes from delighting in work well done. There is no real Sabbath without real work. Today recall the work that brought you to this day of rest and thank God for both the ability to work and the ability to rest. Read more
A simple prayer is a short word or phrase such as “Lord Christ, have mercy” or “Bless you.” Today fill your hours with these simple prayers. Say them as you pass others and say them when you are alone. Bless others and praise God throughout the day. Read more
Go to a dark place tonight and look up at the stars. Feel the vastness of the universe of which we are only a spark. How do you feel? Significant? Insignificant? We are both. Read more
Quiet is a hard thing to find; not only because noise is hard to get away from but because we so often have noise in our hearts even when we get away from sound. Today work toward the simple goal of finding 20 minutes to sit in complete silence, silence of heart, mind, and space. Just as noise cancelling headphones create a “white noise” to create quiet in a world where its hard to find, you may have to create... Read more
Have you ever noticed that there are two creation stories? Scholars believe that both were written at different times and then brought together in a latter collection. The differences between the two is primarily their emphasis, but both are focused on teaching us about God, the creation, humankind and how we all relate to one another. Read and reflect on Genesis 1 and 2, find the two creation stories and reflect on what they say about our role in the... Read more
The “Prayer of St. Francis” is a powerful reorientation of our souls toward God’s kingdom and values. This week work to memorize this prayer and as you do reflect on what it would mean to truly live into what is being prayed. A Prayer of St. Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there... Read more
Word + Flesh
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