Ordinary Time

Pause

Things can get better, things must get better, and things will get better.

In the craziness and uncertainties of the world around us, we have this hope that things are not how they will always be. It is an active hope — a hope that recognizes that we have a part to play.

Christ is empowering us to make a difference. Yes, even you.

Listen

I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up; you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me. Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from the grave, brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.

You who are faithful to the Lord, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!

Psalm 30:1-5

Think

Life can sometimes stink! Seriously! In the opening sentence of the first chapter of The Road Less Traveled, Scott Peck wrote that “Life is difficult.” It’s true: life is difficult and can be very frustrating. Our loved ones get sick, and sometimes they die; friends let us down; our parents get divorced; people suffer all kinds of abuse and injustice. Yeah, sometimes life just stinks.

And yet, as Christians, people who follow Christ and try to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, we have hope that things can get better.

This hope is an active hope that is rooted in our Christ-like love for one another. When we honestly love one another as Christ has loved us, we bring hope to this troubled world, and our message is clear. With Christ in us, we can make things better.

James Blay

Pray

God, guide me today as I live in this troubled world. Help me to find ways that I can show Christ-like love to those I encounter today, and by that love to tell the world that hope is alive. Amen.

Go

With hope as your guide, guiding your thoughts, words, and deeds, go out into the world and bring hope to all whom you encounter.