Ordinary Time 
Pause
It happens to us every day. Every hour. We have to respond. We have to respond to the car that cuts us off on the road. Respond to the text that just arrived. Respond to the person who is calling our name.
Some of our responses are automatic, and we don’t even think about it. Some are conditioned by our experiences. For some, we have time to breathe and think and pray.
And in the midst, God continues to call… How are we prepared to respond?
Listen
Human beings are nothing but a breath. Human beings are nothing but lies. They don’t even register on a scale; taken all together they are lighter than a breath!
Don’t trust in violence; don’t set false hopes in robbery.
When wealth bears fruit, don’t set your heart on it.
God has spoken one thing— make it two things— that I myself have heard: that strength belongs to God, and faithful love comes from you, my Lord— and that you will repay everyone according to their deeds.
Psalm 62:9-12
Think
Every day of our lives, we are given the chance to respond. Sometimes we are called to slow down, take a breath, say a prayer, and then respond. Other times, we need to respond in the moment that the call comes. And sometimes, we miss the chance to respond. We sleep through the call. That’s part of being human.
In Psalm 62, the psalmist reminds us that regardless of how we respond, the power belongs to God. God’s love is faithful and steadfast. While our responses may waver, while we may worry or doubt, while we may say “no” when we should say “yes”… God is always faithful. Always.
Edward Goode
Pray
God, thank you that you never stop calling regardless of our answer. Thank you for the love and the power that stays with us through all things. Thank you! Amen.
Go
Stop.
Take a few breaths. Take a few more.
Listen.
Wait.
Pray.
Respond.
