Ordinary Time

Pause

The shepherd reminds us of simpler times and slower lives. Embrace the life of a shepherd today – living more simply, moving more slowly.

Stop and have a conversation you normally don’t have time for. At some point today, sit quietly with no screen for as long as you can.

Rest now in God’s goodness.

Listen

Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

I said to him, “Sir, you know.”

Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. They won’t hunger or thirst anymore. No sun or scorching heat will beat down on them, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:13-17

Think

Revelation is full of of prophecies of things to come. But I believe that God’s Kingdom is both yet to be and already here. Jesus says in Luke, the Kingdom of God is “already among you.” (Luke 17:21)

So instead of looking toward the future when there won’t be hunger, thirst, or pain, what if we focused on doing what we can to end hunger now? What if we took it as our calling to share water with the thirsty and to care for those who are sad? Even as our world heats up, what if we worked for policy change that reduces our greenhouse gas emissions for a day when the scorching heat doesn’t beat down?

Jesus alleviated suffering everywhere he went and invites us to “go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37) So I invite you to a faith life where we don’t only express our Christianity as a glorious eternal life to come, but where we work now to end pain and suffering with those we encounter, and with those around the globe through support to global mission causes.

David Burroughs

Pray

God of the hungry and thirsty, God of the sick and sad, I want to join with you in healing and feeding and working for justice as you lead. Give me your vision so that I might notice those I will encounter this week who need help – and give me the courage to step toward them, offering what I have. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Go

As you leave this quiet space, moving on to what this day will bring, take the faith that God is with you, the trust that God is leading you, and the peace that comes from Holy contentment.