Holiday Monday

For Canadians,  this is known as the Victoria Day Weekend when we celebrate Queen Victoria's Birthday.    Some cities still celebrate by having extravagant Queen Victoria Day celebrations,  other cities do nothing.     Declaring.   An old fashioned word that we don't use very much in our daily speech.     But this weekend,  I was looking at all the beautiful astounding quilts on Amy's Creative Side blog.    This is a request by Amy for Quilters to put their favourite quilts online for other's to see and drool over and admire.    Declaring.   Interesting how all quilters "declare" why they chose their particular quilt to display online.  We boldly go forth and say, "This is my quilt and I love it!"    The quilts are amazing!

As Christians,  how do we declare our love for God?

Monday Retreat......

Prayer:  O Lord,  support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done.  Then, Lord, in Your mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   (John Newman taken from PCC The Book of Common Worship)

Read St. Matthew 16:  13 – 20

Jesus asks the disciples who people say is the Son of Man.  The disciples answer by saying some people think the Son of Man is John the Baptist.  Other people think the Son of Man is Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.  

Then Jesus asks each disciple who they think Jesus is.    Peter answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.  

Jesus responds to Peter by stating that Peter did not get his answer out of books or from a teacher but through thought and prayer,  Peter discovered who Jesus is.

Then Jesus gives Peter a mission to fulfil.

During Confirmation in the Presbyterian Church in Canada,  people stand in front of the congregation and publically declare that Jesus  Christ is their Lord and Saviour.    This public declaration is called a Confession of Faith.   And we each must make this Confession of Faith.

Think back today to when you were Confirmed.   Do you remember what words you used to make a Confession of Faith?  

What mission did God ask you to fulfil?

Prayer:   Help me Lord,  to continually show mercy, peace, and justice this day to others.  But most importantly,  may my actions be Your actions of love to this world in all that I do and say this day.   In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Many blessings!