Ordinary Time

Pause

Choosing to unplug, even for a few minutes, can be scary. What if we miss the latest tweet, post, or pic? We don’t want to be left behind in the fast-paced world of our always plugged-in friends.

As much as we like being connected to an entire world at our fingertips, it’s important to step away sometimes. Because the spiritual life is about connecting to something deeper within.

Now’s the time! Take the next few moments to reconnect, refocus, and relax. God is eager to spend time with you.

Listen

See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are! Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.

Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure. Every person who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion. You know that he appeared to take away sins, and there is no sin in him. Every person who remains in relationship to him does not sin. Any person who sins has not seen him or known him.

Little children, make sure no one deceives you. The person who practices righteousness is righteous, in the same way that Jesus is righteous.

1 John 3:1-7

Think

“Every person who remains in relationship to him does not sin. Any person who sins has not seen him or known him.”

To be human is to sin, right? How can we ever hope to be a true child of God if we must live without sinning?

To understand this passage we must first understand what John means when he talks of sin. For John, sin isn’t a list of little things that aren’t supposed to do. Sin is much larger than that. You see, being God’s children means we recognize that we are loved fully and completely by God. And when we know God’s love in our hearts, we can do nothing more than live a life full of love for others. Therefore, all that we say and do is in love. So, when we act out of hatred, cruelty, or hostility — the opposites of love — we are acting in sin.

Remain in relationship to God. Abide in God. Know God and know love. Share God’s love. Change the world!

John McCrosky

Pray

God of love, you have claimed me as your child. Cleanse my heart of everything but your love so that I can abide in you. Give me the courage to show your love, kindness, and hospitality with everyone I meet today. Amen.

Go

When we encounter Christ, we are changed. Our faith, our hopes, our actions. Nothing is left the same.

What would happen if all we did and said reflected this transformative work that the living God is doing in us? What further changes would take place in our own hearts and in the world around us?

Go now, being bold enough to hope in this change.