Ordinary Time

Pause

A prayer for peace:

Quiet me, O Lord. Calm my mind. Still my hands. Remove any worries from my heart. I want to give you my full attention. Slow me down so that I can hear your voice and see you at work in my life today. Amen.

Listen

The Lord created me at the beginning of his way, before his deeds long in the past. I was formed in ancient times, at the beginning, before the earth was. When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs flowing with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth; before God made the earth and the fields or the first of the dry land.

Proverbs 8:22-26

Think

When Christians describe God, we speak of a sacred trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — or Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Because of this way of speaking we tend to think that the Creator came first, then Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit.  But “Father, Son, Spirit” is a statement about God’s unity, not about who came first and last.

Today’s Bible reading reminds us that all three “persons” of the trinity were present from the very beginning. The same Spirit-wind that hovered over the face of the waters at Creation (Genesis 1:2) hovered over the disciples on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). And God’s Spirit is not simply timeless but also creative and powerful. The same Spirit who spoke through the prophets, speaks to us — and through us — now.

Creation is in crisis. The climate is changing. Countries are at war, often civil war. Suspicion of anyone who thinks or looks different from us is growing. Pray that God’s Spirit would inspire you to make a difference today.

Jeff Gibelius

Pray

Creating Spirit, we need your creative power to change the course of history. Help me to find solutions to the problems I see around me. Let me feel you guiding my heart, head, and hands today. Amen.

Go

God’s Spirit is with you right now, closer than the air you are breathing. You don’t have to chase after God; simply be with God today. Let God’s Spirit fill you and guide you. Take joy in knowing that God is walking with you, and that you can walk in God’s Spirit.