Devotion November 29, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (November 27, 2022)

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Origin of Alexandria, an early Christian theologian, was tortured later in life because of his Christian faith. Physically, he was broken, and later he died because of this cruel treatment. He was not a stranger to suffering: When he was young, his father had been martyred because of his faith in Christ. In spite of this, Origin leaves us with these words: “The light of God’s love in Christ is dawning everywhere, thus ending the reign of darkness, sin, and hatred.” We do not have to walk about in darkness, sin, and hatred because God’s Word, Jesus Christ, shows us a better way (Romans 13:11-14). May our proclamation and way of life bear witness to the light of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ. May that light fill your life and shine through you upon those around you (Isaiah 2:1-5).

Prayer for the Week (November 27, 2022-December 3, 2022)

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Let us pray that we bring Christ’s light to others: Lord God, your Son, Jesus Christ, came as God with a human face. Lead us to create with you a love and justice that reflects your light in a dark world, and until that day may the Holy Spirit inspire and guide us to lead everyone to you. Amen.  
Claretian Publications

                         

Sunday Reflection (November 20, 2022)

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Christ the King Sunday is about a seemingly powerless Messiah hanging on the cross; yet these lyrics reveal a mystery: “Love crucified, arose and the grave became a place of hope” (Michael Card). The resurrection established the eternal dynasty when God vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead. The resurrection displays God’s power over hatred and death (Luke 1:67-79; 23:33-38).

Through the resurrection of Jesus God shows us a kingdom not based upon retaliation, smashing the competition, or even militarily defeating the enemy; rather, through Jesus God shows us a kingdom based upon humility, truth, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, love, and compassion. A type of kingdom no one expected – not even today! May our lives, our attitudes, and our actions not betray the kingdom of God.

Prayer for the Week (November 20, 2022-November 26, 2022)

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Let us pray that all God’s people become more like Christ our King: God our Father, lover of people, we recognize our King crowned with thorns and enthroned on a cross. This King is our leader without an army or earthly might. Like him, may we choose love and compassion as our only power and humble service as our only greatness. May this be the way his kingdom grows within us and among us until you lead us unto your lasting joy. We ask you this through Christ our Lord who eternally dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Claretian Publications

                         

Prayer for the Week (November 13, 2022-November 19, 2022)

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Let us pray that we expect God’s future with trust and perseverance: God our Father, we believe that your plans for us are for peace, and not disaster and fear. Keep our eyes open to the coming of Jesus, your Son. May we commit ourselves untiringly to the growth of the kingdom among us by carrying out your plans for peace and compassion. May the Holy Spirit lead us to do what makes our world more like your world. Amen.
Claretian Publications

                         

Sunday Reflection (November 13, 2022)

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The prophet Habakkuk reminds us to not give religious cover to political or societal thieves and robbers at any level (Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-5). The band U2 in “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” to “claim the victory Jesus won.” How do we “claim the victory that Jesus won?”
 
Habakkuk tells us that the righteous live by faithfulness: Faithfulness to God and others, even amid violence and corruption. A life faithful to God and others is not about arrogance, deception, and being proud and boastful about having more than one’s fair share. A life faithful to God and others is about “honesty and doing the right things” (CEB Study Bible).

Prayer for the Week (November 6, 2022-November 12, 2022)

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Let us pray to God that the saints inspire us to follow Christ as they did:  God of hope and Lord of the future, through the saints you inspire us today with new hope in the future. May we realize that justice, peace and love are worth living and dying for, and that one day you will crown your own work in us, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who eternally dwells with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forevermore.  Amen.
Claretian Publications

                         

Prayer for the Week (October 23, 2022-October 29, 2022)

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Let us pray that through us God be manifest: Merciful God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives. make known your divine glory through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
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Sunday Reflection (October 23, 2022)

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Comparing ourselves to others may bring pride in thinking we are better than someone else, or depression in thinking we are worse than someone else. It is better to focus upon who we are and our strengths, capabilities, and weaknesses. God knows those sins which you think no one else knows, and God knows the sins you would do if given the opportunity. God knows us through and through, our good and bad, our strengths and weaknesses.
 
Yet have you ever pointed out to God, or someone else, the bad qualities of someone else while not mentioning your own? If we elevate ourselves by putting someone else down, we are not fooling God. Our Scripture Reading is a story familiar to most of us: The Pharisee and the tax collector who go up to the Temple to pray (Luke 18:90-14). Anytime we are convinced that we are more righteous than others, we become self-righteous. We are all in need of God’s mercy! If God is merciful with me, I suspect God is merciful with others. God is far more interested in being gracious than calculating our degree of righteousness.