Tuesday - Lent 5

Hello all!  Old Son and I have been down with the flu for the last couple of days hence why there has been no  blogs.   When one gets sick it is amazing how one has to slow life down.   Events and committments still get accomplished but oh so much slower :)    But hurrah for e-mail.  Our Museum is planning a Vimy Night fundraiser celebration on Saturday 31 March 2012.  Amazing how e-mail is excellent in sharing last minute ideas!   And receiving last minute RSVPs.   :)  

Devotional:

Give Your grace to all Your people, and to us met together in Your presence.  May we hear and receive Your Word with purity of heart and true obedience, to serve You all the days of our life.  Remember Your love O Lord.  We bless Your Holy name for all Your servants who have passed from this life in faith and in obedience.  We pray for grace to follow their examples and to share with them in Your Kingdom.  Remember Your love,  O Lord.  (Taize “Praise in All Our Days”  Mowbray  1981).

Read:  St. Matthew 10: 24 – 28

Humm.  These verses contain teachings of Jesus that make us go, “Huh?”    A student is not above his teacher?   Nor a servant above his master?  The head of the house is called Beelzebub?   Huh???

Frequently when we go “Humm” or “Huh”  with trying to interpret the Scriptures,  it is a good idea to read a couple of different translations.   Scholars have dug into the Scriptures and translated from the Greek.  Sometimes a Greek word has many means and just a tiny shift in that translated word makes the understanding of Scripture come alive.  

The Message translates this passage as “A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher.  A labourer doesn’t make more money than his boss.  Be content – pleased, even – when you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get.  If they call me, the Master, “Dungface”, what can the workers expect?   Don’t be intimidated.  Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are.  So don’t hesitate to go public now.  Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies.  There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being.  Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life – body and soul – in his hands”. 

Be content.    Don’t be intimidated.    Don’t be bluffed into silence.  If you hear of something wrong,  speak up!     God holds your entire life in his hands.  

 Good words of instruction from Jesus as the disciples go forth into the Harvest.      Jesus is saying here that they will be discouraged and they will be bullied and their belief will be questioned.  BUT!   God is with them and holds their entire life in his hands.  

Go forth this day knowing the God is with you and holds your entire life – body and soul – in his hands.

Prayer:  Creator,  Sustainer, and Redeemer,  may we go forth this day knowing that You are with us.  It is You who holds our entire lives – body and mind  and soul – in Your hands.  We give our thanks to You.  Amen.