Devotion July 12, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (July 10, 2022)

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The book of Deuteronomy reminds us that God’s Word is not something so far removed that we cannot get a glimpse of it (Deuteronomy 30:9-14). I am not suggesting we grasp God’s Word in its totality, but enough of God’s Word to lead us in following divine paths. God’s Word is close to us, yet we may seek answers far and wide because we want a second opinion that fits the answer we want. How close is God’s Word to you?

The Christian life is a blessing from which others learn about the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ through Christians (Colossians 1:1-14). May we comprehend God’s love in a deeper way. May we learn more about God’s love for the world and enact God’s grace in the world. We are sent with the message of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ so that others may know of God and God’s grace.

Prayer for the Week (July 10, 2022-July 16, 2022)

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Let us pray that we love God, others, and ourselves: Almighty God, you teach us by your Word that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Grant that we love you with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.                   (NZPB)

                         

Devotion July 6, 2022

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Sunday Reflection (July 3, 2022)

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When someone is caught in a trespass Paul steers “spiritual ones” away from fueling fires that produce harshness and bitterness; rather, he advocates a humility and gentleness that arises from an awareness and recognition that we all can fail (Galatians 6:1-10). A non-spiritual person desires to embarrass the person and tells others how bad this person is. A non-spiritual person parades the failure of another as if the person parading the failure of another is perfect. A non-spiritual person desires punishment and retribution with no thought of restoration.

May we not forget that the goal of reconciliation in humility is restoration and not punishment for punishment’s sake. God’s goal for humanity is restoration and not punishment for punishment’s sake. Like God in Christ, may we show mercy and forgiveness and not become spiritually arrogant.

Prayer for the Week (July 3, 2022-July 9, 2022)

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Let us pray that our lives be a reflection of Christ’s life:  Merciful God, you gave your only Son to be both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly life. May we gladly receive all that he has done for us and follow in his footsteps being led by the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(NZPB)

                         

Devotion June 29, 2022

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Devotion June 28, 2022

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Prayer for the Week (June 26, 2022-July 2, 2022)

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Let us pray to God for the strength to follow Jesus wherever he leads us: Strong and kindhearted Father, in Jesus your Son, you reveal to us that love is a gift from you calling us to give ourselves without hesitation.  Open our ears to his call to commit ourselves with open hearts and hands to follow him in faithful and joyful service.  We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

(Claretian Communications)

                         

Sunday Reflection (June 26, 2022)

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As Christians, when we think of fleshly sins, we usually think of sexual sins, and Paul mentions them, but he also mentions other fleshly sins: Envy, jealousy, and quarrels: Have you considered those as fleshly sins? Our politics is full of such fleshly issues, yet we also experience them on personal levels, which we may call drama, but it is more than that: It is the misuse of our freedom of choice (Galatians 5:1, 13, 19-21). If we are not considerate of others and lack love and compassion, we will bear bad fruit (Galatians 5:16-18 22-26).

Fleshly sins reflect unnecessary conflict and division, but before pointing out the rotten fruit of others, may we examine ourselves and discover our own lack of good fruit which Paul describes as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” We entrust ourselves to God’s faithfulness and the leading of the Holy Spirit and given the opportunity the Holy Spirit will produce good fruit in our lives, yet what do we do with freedom? Freedom in the sense that Galatians gives it is the freedom “to serve others in love” (Galatians 5:13-16).  What fetters prevent you and me from serving others in love?