Day 153 On the Kingdom of God Luke 17: 20-21

Guided Reflection:   

For the Jews of Jesus’ day, the coming Kingdom was something everyone

anticipated – but did not really expect to happen on that day.  The messiah would come… so when folks asked Jesus his thoughts on the subject, he surprised them by saying it is not a future contemplation, but a present reality!  And, it is not that kind of physical kingdom, but a spiritual one.  Do you look to the future for God to come into your life, or do you see that God is here ..right now?

Guided Prayer:

“Ever present God, help me drop my fantasy of you in my future and help me come to face the reality that you are an ever present help in times of trouble, my present source and my present strength.  I do not have to wait for heaven; you are with me right now.  Thank you.  Amen” 

Day 152 Jesus Heals 10 Lepers Luke 17: 11-19

Guided reflection:  

This is the perfect Thanksgiving Day gospel lesson.  Lepers were outcasts and not

allowed near others lest they infect innocent people.  These l0 outcasts begged Jesus to heal them… and he did!  They went rushing back to the priest to have their ban lifted… and one stopped… turned around… and ran to Jesus.  “THANK YOU for healing me and changing my life!” and Jesus not only healed him, but restored what the leprosy had eaten away.   Funny, yesterday Jesus said we were to do things without thanks… but when we offer genuine, grateful thanks, Jesus opens even more to us.  Have you stopped to thank God for your blessings?  

Guided Prayer:

Today, make an inventory of your grateful heart.  Stop and offer thanks to God for each.  Then consider how God has shown love to you through the lives of others – who cooked your breakfast?   Who delivered your paper… your mail?  Who waited on you at lunch?  Who sacrificed so you could eat today?  May this list be your grateful prayer. 

Day 151 A Servant’s wages Luke 17:7-10

Guided reflection:   

This story is hard for us to comprehend because we do not treat people as

Servants; but in Jesus’ day, a servant put the needs of his master before his own needs… and thanks was not necessary.  I think Jesus wants us to face the “it’s all about me – look at me, I am being so faithful – wonderful me” mentality.  Have you ever been ticked that you worked at a mission project and no one gave you thanks?  Did you do it for Jesus or to get recognition? We do not need rewards for doing what is expected of us.  We are faithful because we have offered ourselves to be God’s humble servants.   Jesus is not focusing on God’s response, but ours. 

Guided prayer:

“Well, Lord, it does feel good to know we are being the hands and feet of Jesus… but help me be willing to be faithful even if it does not feel good… even if no one says ‘thanks’.  Loving God, show me where I think I am doing things for you but really, it is all about me.  Forgive my self centeredness.  Amen.” 

Day 150 The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

Guided reflection:

Is this a story of lack of compassion; of regret; of missed opportunities?   Is this a story of the hereafter and our “just rewards”… do we get what is coming to us?    Is this a story to jolt us into making sure we care for those around us while we have the chance?  Or, could this also be a story whose punch line is about why Jesus came… from the other side, the Father’s heart, to come and dwell among us, so, if we will listen, we would know the way to eternal life?  Will we be smart enough to listen?   Where are you the rich man… where like Lazarus?

Guided prayer:

Open my eyes to see opportunities around me to show your love.  If I have a time to be like Lazarus, may I find comfort in your arms.  But help me be willing to listen and pay attention, lest I find myself with no more opportunities.  Help me know that this is not a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing.  May I make the most of every opportunity!  Amen!” 

Day 149 The Hypocrisy of the Pharisees Luke 16:14-15

Guided reflection:

Yesterday’s reading continues with the Pharisees’ response.  They laughed and scoffed.  But Jesus looked at them and said: “Oh, you make sure you look good to everyone else, but God knows your hearts.  You are way off base on what is important in God’s eyes!”   What about you?  Do you think you have everyone fooled? God knows.  Is there a place where you need to get honest with God?

Guided prayer:

“O God, why do we have to get so honest… can’t I just keep making everyone happy… what they don’t know won’t hurt them, will it?  What will it mean to “come clean’ with you?  There may be places where I am not ready to do your will yet… but don’t give up on me.  Amen.” 

Day 148 The Unjust Steward Luke 16: 1-13

Guided reflection:

To be honest, this is one of those parables that seem to go against what I believe!  It seems that Jesus is making the hero of the story out of a wasteful steward because he used his position to rewrite the boss’s ledger and make for himself some nice friends!    But as I read vs 10, I see that Jesus is saying that this would be smart in this world’s standards, but Jesus wants servants who are faithful in little things so they do not have to make up schemes to cover their tails!  If you are faithful in little, then God can trust you with much.  You can’t look out for your own interests AND look out for God’s interests at the same time – choose one.  Right now, which master are you serving?

Guided Prayer:

“Well, Lord, I want to be faithful in little things so you can trust me with the bigger things in life, but I also want to cover my tail!   Help me stop worrying about that and help me focus on just being faithful to live each day as you would have me live it.  Are there any places you want me to be more faithful?   Amen” 

Day 147 The Prodigal Son Luke 15: 11-32

Guided reflection:

This, of course, is one of the most beautiful stories in all of scripture.  When have you been the prodigal?   What happened that made you come to your senses?   Do you know that the loving father (God) was, and is, and always shall be looking down the road in case you are ready to come home?  Have you ever been the father – the one who showed mercy to someone who did not deserve it?  Are you looking down the road for someone to “come home”?   Are you the elder brother in any place in your life? 

Guided prayer:

“Father, “daddy”, I’m home!  Thank you for having the light on when it seemed so dark in my world.  Thank you for not giving up on me.  Forgive my foolish ways… and forgive my jealous ways as well.  Thank you for your unconditional love.  Amen” 

Day 146 A Parable of a Great Dinner party Luke 14:15-24 (Matt 22: 1-10)

Guided reflection:    

Since Jesus used parables to either teach us of God’s love or to show us ourselves, this parable does both.  Of course, our loving God is the host of the party and has taken great pains to prepare good things for us.  But, when we are invited, we allow other distractions to keep us from coming, paying attention, and responding to the lavishness of God’s love.  Trivial things keep our attention and we miss out on the wonderful opportunities God has for us!  But that does not deter God…God just goes after anyone who might be open to his invitation.   If Jesus were going to tell this parable in church on Sunday, what would he list as our trivial pursuits?  What is your excuse today?

Guided Prayer:

“O God, it is hard to comprehend that you want to lavish your love on me – but even more difficult to comprehend is that I can become so distracted that I miss out on so much!  I open my eyes, my ears, and my heart to you today.  Where are you throwing a party today that I should not miss?  Amen”

Day 145 Humility Luke 145

Guided reflection:

Jesus gives his slant on going to parties!  Every time I am a guest speaker and have to sit on the dais, I am watchful to make sure that I really am to sit there because of this verse I learned in Sunday School!  Jesus’ point is that having a party should not be to puff yourself up and look important and get more party invitations; you should throw a party when you are jubilant and invite those who need a party! Now, remember, from yesterday’s reading, Jesus is at one of those affairs!  I wonder what the host was thinking.  What should we teach out children about this story?

Guided prayer:

“Well, Lord, I am not sure if I throw good parties or not, but I am so humbled to know that I am invited to your banquet table and I do not have to worry about what I wear, or who will be there too, or whom shall I impress… all I have to do is just come, open and ready to receive from you.  Thank you for your love and acceptance of me.  Amen. 

Day 144 Jesus heals a man with Dropsy Luke 14: 1-6

Guided reflection:

Jesus was a guest at the house of a Pharisee.  We do not know if his host was open or hostile, but Jesus was distracted by a man he could see from his seat that had dropsy – today we would call it edema from congestive heart failure – he was swollen with water retention that was life threatening.  It was Sabbath meal they were eating, so Jesus puts it to them straight: “It’s the Sabbath, there is a man who needs my touch, I am right here – what should I do?”  They said nothing.  Was their silence that Jesus had put them in their place… or were they adding one more thing to Jesus list in their black book?  Where is that true in your life?

Guided Prayer:

            “I stand in wonder at the love and compassion of my savior.  O God, I pray, again, show

            me where I am more interested in doing things right, than doing the right things.  Amen”