Ordinary Time

Pause

Today is a busy day. It is full of things that must get done and people that must be seen. With the help of God, I can be peace in every encounter. With the help of God I can be a holy presence in every conversation.  With the help of God I can place the thumbprint of the divine on every assignment. With God’s help I will be the best version of myself today.

Offer space in a busy day for the God who has already gone before you into it, and trust in the help that will come.

Listen

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light. He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

Psalm 78:1-4; 12-16

Think

It must interesting, but difficult, to be a politician. In order to get elected, so much of what you have to do is sell the idea of yourself to the other people. During election season, every situation, every topic of conversation, everything has to be about convincing people to like you and vote for YOU! In a lot of ways, this kind of self promotion may be necessary in the world of politics…but what about in the kingdom of God?

I wonder when I talk if I sound more like a politician or the psalmist. Do I brag about my own accomplishments, finding direct and indirect ways to hint at how smart, athletic, or important I am? Perhaps even worse, do I cast myself in the role of helper, healer, and hero when I know deep down to whom the thanks and glory should go? The Psalmist declares with certainty that it was God who gave rescue to the Hebrews during their escape from Egypt, and it was God who gave them a way when no way could be found. It was God who quenched their thirst in a place where water did not flow. The Hebrews had many victories to celebrate, but in the telling of their story they want us to know that God alone is the Victor!

Lucas Dorion

Pray

Rescuing God, cause us to remember the full truth of our story today. May we be as faithfully honest with the thanks and glory that we owe to you as the Psalmist. With humility may we declare your goodness with our words and with our actions today.

Go

Go now into the world confident that you are not alone, and at peace knowing that God will be with you wherever you find yourself this day.