Ordinary Time

Pause

The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.

“The Kingdom of God” from Communaute de Taizé

Listen

Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.

Come back to us, Lord! Please, quick! Have some compassion for your servants! Fill us full every morning with your faithful love so we can rejoice and celebrate our whole life long. Make us happy for the same amount of time that you afflicted us— for the same number of years that we saw only trouble. Let your acts be seen by your servants; let your glory be seen by their children. Let the kindness of the Lord our God be over us. Make the work of our hands last. Make the work of our hands last!

Psalm 90:12-17

Think

I have a friend who makes it a practice to read obituaries. She keeps a collection of those that are unique and passes them along to others. For a time, I avoided obituaries. I shied away from any talk or mention of death. I didn’t want or need the reminder that all our days are numbered.

Today I’m more comfortable with death and reading obituaries. When I read an obituary, I give thanks for the person’s life. I give thanks for the work of their hands and the legacy they’ve left.

What would your obituary say? Would it tell of your love for God and others? Would it tell the world that your hands brought healing and joy into the world? It may not feel like it today but our time on this earth is limited. The world needs God’s story of hope and love. The world needs people using their hands to bring about God’s kingdom. Today, may you be that word of hope for someone.

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller

Pray

God of Truth, I’m humbled by your creation and my place in your world. Use my hands to reach out to someone in need of your love. Amen.

Go

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.

Let the fires of your justice burn.

Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.

from “Canticle of the Turning” by Rory Cooney (1990)