Mark 12:41-44

“He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.” vss. 41-42

Even when we’re not shopping it can be fun to go to malls or other crowded public places just for the people-watching. The varieties of behaviors and appearances are both amazing and instructive…we can find ourselves feeling amused, perplexed, and sometimes even bothered…all in the space of only a few minutes. Mark tells us that Jesus did the same thing when he visited the temple in Jerusalem. Since it was festival time there were plenty of people there…but what’s most interesting is where he chose to sit. He parked himself in a spot where he could watch the crowd putting money in the treasury…the first century equivalent of an offering plate. Jesus knew that a person’s offering told more about the state of their soul than anything else…and he was not impressed by the large sums given by the rich. In his eyes it was only the widow’s gift of a penny that was the least bit remarkable. She had given all that she had! Times haven’t changed. Whether we like it or not, the way we spend our money is the very best indicator of our spiritual health. A check register will always reveal the priorities of our lives…and nothing is hidden from God.

Thought for the Day: What does my check register reveal about me?

Mark 12:38-40

“They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” vs. 40

Jesus had little regard for the scribes, the legal experts of his day. They were attentive to the details of the written law and the appearances of religion but their hearts were far from God. For them prayers and rituals were simply a way to win favor with people and reinforce their position in the community. We don’t have to go far to find their clones in our world. Our politicians and leaders often adopt an appearance of religion in an effort to win the support of constituents. In moments  of crisis they speak of prayer and faith and they love to appear on platforms with celebrity pastors and evangelists. All too often their pious talk is a cover for their own self-serving agendas. While there are undoubtedly exceptions to these fraudulent behaviors, we’ve learned from experience to take such religiosity with a grain of salt. Jesus advises skepticism in dealing with such folks. They give praises to God with their lips but that’s the extent of it…and they certainly don’t merit our trust. Of course politicians aren’t the only hypocrites on the planet…many of us are skilled at keeping up appearances and using piety to impress our peers. We need regular reminders that God is no fool…and our fraudulent behaviors will eventually be exposed.

Thought for the Day: What do I do to maintain a pious image?

Hebrews 9:24-28

“And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” vss. 27-28

Many early Christians were steeped in the imagery of the sacrificial system and used that language to describe what had happened in Jesus. As the Christ he had suffered and died as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity and had been raised to dwell with God. Soon, those Christians believed, he would appear a second time and make their salvation complete… then they too would experience the fullness of God’s presence. We’re familiar with these images…they’ve become a part of our common faith language. They describe what is known as a linear view of time…there is a beginning and an end to life. Other religions have adopted what might be called a circular or spiral view of existence. We are born and reborn in a cycle that goes on until we finally figure out the secret of divine liberation. Some find that idea of reincarnation comforting…there’s always a second chance, even for the worst of sinners. Followers of Jesus have traditionally rejected such notions. Instead we’ve clung to the good news of redemption…we don’t need second chances. Our salvation does not come from figuring out secrets…it comes by grace through faith. We’re born, we die, and then comes new life…and it’s all a gift.

Thought for the Day: Why is reincarnation such an appealing idea?

Psalm 146:6-10

“The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” vs. 9

The psalmist expresses his convictions and those of his faith community with a bold assertion, “Happy are those…whose hope is in the Lord their God!” His words have particular relevance for us in this age of political turmoil, ambiguous faith commitments, and rampant materialism. He implies that only God can give the serenity and peace that we crave, that only God can be trusted to bring us blessings. And who is this Lord that he recommends without reservation? Again he tells us plainly. It’s the God who brought all things into existence, the Creator God who made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. He follows this up with a description of God’s work in our world and it’s here that the faithful receive their marching orders. Our God cares not a whit for the rich and the powerful…God’s concern is with the lowly: the hungry, the prisoners, the strangers, the orphans and the widows. The implication is impossible to escape. If these are the priorities of our God, the One in whom we trust, ought not these persons also be the focus of our concerns? Experience has taught us the truth of these ancient words. Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord and who continue to do the work of the Lord on our hurting planet! As we stand with the poor we are blessed!

Thought for the Day: How have I been blessed by helping the poor?

Psalm 146:1-4

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” vss. 3-4

Well, the election is over and most people are breathing a sigh of relief and hoping that there will at least be some respite from the ugly campaigning that has been fragmenting our country. Some are happy…their people and party have won some tight races. Others are sad…their candidates and party have suffered defeat. The psalmist would say, “Why get so hot and bothered about politicians? We can never put our trust in princes…they’re only mortal. On the day they die their plans perish and they’re soon forgotten.” And whether we like to admit it or not, the psalmist has a point. While it’s important for us as citizens to be knowledgeable about propositions and candidates and participate in the process, ultimately only God is worthy of our trust and commitment. As life continues there’ll be more campaigns, more elections, politicians will come and go, and all of the bombast will have minimal effect on our happiness or contentment. What really counts is the love we show to our God and to our neighbor. When we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly in the Lord, lives are changed and goodness triumphs…and the effects of those actions will last forever.

Thought for the Day: How am I feeling about the election?

1 Kings 17:13-16

“She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days.” vs. 15

It’s easy to say, “Don’t worry, God will provide,” but it’s a lot harder to live that way. We all know that sometimes people in our world starve to death…sometimes people fall into bankruptcy and never recover. That’s just the way it is, so while we may have some degree of confidence in our economic position, most of us are never quite bold enough to say that we never worry about finances. That’s understandable…but what doesn’t make sense is our obsession with money when we’re among the richest people in the world! There are some who could support thousands of people with what they have in their portfolios…and still they crave more. The truth is that most of us have plenty enough for ourselves and even more to share. We’ve been so blessed with material wealth that it’s embarrassing! How good it is when we can be at peace with what we have and not go into shock every time the stock market falls. It’s even better when generosity becomes second nature and we are willing to part with our gains for the sake of others. Sometimes we even find that there’s more pleasure in giving money away than in accumulating it. Divorced from our material obsessions we can bask in the simple joys of being alive in this spectacular universe.

Thought for the Day: How much do I need to avoid financial anxiety?

1 Kings 17:6-12

“As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’”

The people of Israel had a whole series of Elijah stories that they told and then preserved in writing. They wanted their descendants to know about this incredible prophet who dared to speak truth to power in the days of Ahab and Jezebel. In one of those stories Elijah goes to a poor widow and asks for a drink of water…and when she complies, he ups the ante, asking for something to eat as well. We gasp at his effrontery…and then realize he’s exposing a great truth about hospitality: the greatest generosity is always seen among those who have the least to share. Often visitors to places where material prosperity is lacking have reported the same thing. Their hosts will shower them with gifts of food and drink even to the point of depriving themselves. The contrast with attitudes in our affluent society is stunning. We who live in the richest country on earth do all we can to preserve our excess. When the poor come to our door we blame them for their poverty and turn them away without a second thought. How dare they think that we might be willing to share? How wonderful it is to see believers who have been infused by a spirit of generosity…who buck the trends of materialism! In them we glimpse God’s vision for a world in which sharing is the norm, and not the exception!

Thought for the Day: What restrictions do I place on my generosity?

John 11:38-40

“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’”

Martha had already established that she was a believer…she knew that Jesus was the messiah, the Son of God…but she also had solid credentials as a skeptic. When they got to the tomb she makes sure that Jesus knows that her brother was really dead, that he’d been in the tomb for four days and there was no hope he could be restored to health. But that doesn’t stop Jesus and he lets her know that those who believed could expect to see the glory of God…even if they were skeptics! For many believers Jesus’s words are the best news ever…because there’s a whole bunch of us who are brothers and sisters of Martha. We’re as skeptical about matters of life and death as she ever was! We’re committed to Jesus and acknowledge him as Christ, but we also know that dead is dead and once death comes there’s not a thing that can be done beyond the usual funeral service. That’s just the way it is in our world…and we’d be fools to expect anything else. And Jesus says to us, “Just wait…you believers are going to see the glory of God.” Think of it! Our skepticism can’t keep God from giving new life. Whether we understand it or not, when death finally comes, our name will be called and God will free us from the bondage of the grave.

Thought for the Day: Why is belief stronger than logic?

John 11:32-37

“But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’” vs. 37

When dread disease comes to someone in our network of acquaintances, out of love and concern, we offer prayers for the miracle of healing. And sometimes there is a cure…and the joy is intense. But other times, too often it seems, there isn’t a healing. We all know what that feels like…and tears flow freely…it’s what we do when death comes near. It’s in those moments that our skeptic friends might be thinking, (a couple might actually say it), “How come Jesus didn’t answer your prayers and provide a miraculous healing?” It’s a good question, one that we’re hard-pressed to answer in any satisfactory way. The truth is that we don’t know why some are healed and others aren’t…healing is always mysterious. What we do know is that the tears are natural and good…it’s what Jesus did when Lazarus died. And we also know from Jesus that the weeping isn’t the end of the story. The final chapter is yet to come…and we’ve been assured that there is going to be a joyful ending. It’s that good news that sustains us in our moments of sadness…the tears are only temporary, an honest reflection of pain and loss. Beyond them comes the morning and the arrival of joy. For all of us there is a time to live and a time to die…and then a time to live again. Thanks be to God!

Thought for the Day: When has weeping been most intense for me?

Revelations 21:4-6a

“he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” vs. 4

We all know people who have, for one reason or another, absorbed more than their share of pain and sorrow in the course of their lives. Marriages fail, illness stalks, families disappoint, and one sad day is followed by another. And sometimes all this is accompanied by depression and spiritual malaise. For such persons life is much more of a burden than it is a joy and some even begin to look toward death as a compelling option. We might wish that life was not like this…that everyone would be guaranteed a lifetime of good health, pleasure, and success. But we know that isn’t the case…not everyone gets the same benefits or breaks from life and suffering is not spread equally among us. But for people of faith there remains one great truth: when death does come for us, as it undoubtedly will, it’s not the end of the story. We know that in Christ death has been overcome and new life awaits. Tears will be wiped away from sad eyes…and the cloud of depression will be lifted. There will be no more mourning and crying and pain and as we enter the shelter of the divine we will experience perfect peace. What joy it brings to know that life is more than what meets the eye…and the best is yet to come!

Thought for the Day: What happens for those who die by suicide?