Mon, Jun 22: “You have rocked the country and split it open; repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering…you have given us stupefying wine…Give us aid against the foe, for worthless is the help of men” (Ps 60) (adapted from Come and See, 6/24/18).   The image of a country being split open is painfully real, but it’s not God who has set it on edge. It is us, and the cracks are wider than before. Who is the foe we are fighting? It would be easy to point to the leaders of countries around the world that seek to divide us, but as Aleksandr Solzhenitsin wrote: “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us…But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” Provision: Pray for unity. In this time of turmoil, I need to pray even more, to calm my anger and for the courage to stand up peacefully against evil. Let’s not allow the stupefying wine of media or worthless men to weaken our resolve to remain civil when civility is essential. Join me today in prayer that God will help us repair the cracks that divide us so we may work for peace for all peoples and for Mother Earth.

Tue, Jun 23: Hezekiah took the letter [from Sennacherib, king of Assyria] and read it; then he went up to the temple of the LORD, and spreading it out before him, he prayed in the Lord's presence (2Kgs 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36). I was taken by the image of Hezekiah’s prayer. While God listens to the most silent prayer of our hearts, somehow the physicality of an object, a picture, a letter spread out before the one praying makes it so real. Provision: Make prayer real. I remember my mom used to put small pictures or words of intention in her missal she brought to mass. I am moved by prayer services that feature pictures of those for whom we pray. But we can do this in our own personal prayer time too. Think about “spreading out before you,” an image or an object that you want to pray for today. As you offer your prayer to God, imagine the Spirit releasing these prayers from your heart and going right to the person or cause for which you pray. Wed, Jun 24: ““…you knit me in my mother’s womb” (Ps 139) (adapted from Come and See, 6/21/15).
I love the image of God as a knitter, working calmly and carefully with a slow, steady rhythm, paying close attention to detail. While we come into this world with everything we need to be faithful, we are far from finished products. There is still much knitting—and likely some unraveling and reknitting—to be done. Provision: Allow yourself to be fashioned by God.  God, the divine knitter, remains patient and calm. Allow yourself to remain in God’s gentle, skillful hands.

Thu, Jun 25: “Everyone who listens to my words and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock” (Mt 7:21-29) (adapted from Come and See, 6/21/15).   There’s a monastery off the coast of Normandy in France called Mont Saint-Michel. (https://www.abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr/en/). Built in the 8^th century, this incredible structure is a testament to Jesus’ words today. When I visited the site years ago, I was awed by the thought of what it took to build it. What toil, sweat, and suffering was required of those who labored to create Saint-Michel (which is surrounded by mudflats and quicksand). Provision: Be willing to put in the work!  It takes effort to build on rock. And it takes time. So much time that we may never see the final product. But God sees the effort we put in to build a life solidly on God’s Word…a life that can continue giving and inspiring for years after we have moved on. Spend time today considering the foundation on which you are building.

Fri, Jun 26: But some of the country’s poor (were) left behind as vinedressers and farmers (2 Kgs 25:1-12). I’ve been reading articles recently about farmers who are preparing for their crops go to waste due to the lack of laborers in the fields, a result of the rampant deportation of immigrants whose only “crime” is being undocumented. The farmers  are also impacted by economic hardships caused by the greed of those in power. Provision: “Where your treasure is, there also will be your time.” There’s an invitation in the NYT this month

Sat, Jun 27: “A centurion approached him. "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him" (Mt 8:5-17) (adapted from Come and See, 6/25/17).  One aspect of this story that might get overlooked is Jesus’ willingness to go the centurion’s home. The centurion is a Roman and even though we learn in Luke’s version he’s a really good guy, he is still a Gentile. Jews are forbidden to enter Gentiles’ houses. But it seems Jesus dismisses this taboo out of hand, willing to go to the servant’s bedside. Provision: To what places and situations am I willing to go? How far will I go to lend a healing hand?

COME & SEE ARCHIVE

• 12th Week OT •
• 11th Week OT •
• Corpus Christi •
• Most Holy Trinity •
• Pentecost •
• 7th Sunday Easter •
• Dear Preachers •