Ordinary Time

Pause

Holy Spirit, come breathe on me.

Awaken me to your presence.

Steady me in your truth.

Holy Spirit, come breathe on me.

Listen

Nicodemus said, “How are these things possible?”

Jesus answered, "You are a teacher of Israel and you don’t know these things? I assure you that we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you don’t receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Human One. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so must the Human One be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

John 3:9-17

Think

Two words: Taylor Swift. No two words can elicit such a strong reaction of either support or disdain. Say what you will about her, there’s one fact we can agree on: she is an artist who writes and sings about love. It’s a popular topic, love. Wars have been fought because of it, or a lack of it. It transcends gender, race, and creed. This thing called love has many dimensions, and despite all the love songs out there, there is no concrete, thorough way to describe it.

Or perhaps there is. God is love. In fact, for God so loved the world, that God gave each and every one of us the gift of Jesus, our confidant and friend. For God so loved the world, that God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, our ever-present Counselor. For God so loved the world, that we can live a life of blessing, purpose, and eternity. For God so loved the world, that we are called to love one another. Thank God for this thing called love.

Aram Bae

Pray

God of love and eternity, I thank you for the ways you love me, especially when I feel far away from you. Thank you for your love in my life. Help me to love those around me so that they too can experience the goodness and joy that is found only in you. Amen.

Go

Spirit of the living God, be alive and real in my life.

Spirit of a loving God, be near and true to your word.

Spirit of a just God, be honored in what I say and do.