Psalm 59:16-17 There is power in His name!

 2 Samuel 22:3

The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

My stronghold and my refuge;

My Savior, You save me from violence.

Joy in the Lord is our strength and His love is unfailing. Trust God to protect you and strengthen  you in His power because all glory and all honor is His. Our enemies are not flesh and blood but are those who have allowed the principalities of darkness to  work through them. In Jesus and with Him as our protector and in the unity of Holy Spirit we are safe from the evil that seeks to destroy us. The shield of our faith protects us from the fiery darts the enemy throws.  Carla

Psalm 59:16-17

16 But I will sing of Your power;

Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;

For You have been my defense

And refuge in the day of my trouble.

17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;

For God is my defense,

My God of mercy. (NKJV)

The words of these verses capture the positive thrust of this psalm. David sings with joyful abandon of his relationship with God, despite the presence of wicked persons. There are two verbs translated I will sing; together they capture the idea that singing in the name of the Lord is a wonderful act of faith (Exodus 15:2). The NKJV Study Bible

The chesed love that the psalmist hoped for is now the object of his praise. Earlier, the psalmist stated his intent to watch for God (Psalm 59:9). Now he sings praise to God, confident that He will punish his enemies. Faithlife Study Bible

The definition of chesed love is “steadfast love”; “faithfulness”; “loyalty”; “mercy”; “kindness”

Psalm 59:9–10

I will wait for You, O You his Strength;

For God is my defense.

My God of mercy shall come to meet me;

God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.

Psalm 5:3

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;

In the morning I will direct it to You,

And I will look up.

Psalm 88:13

But to You I have cried out, O LORD,

And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

Psalm.101:1

I will sing of mercy and justice; 

To You, O LORD, I will sing praises

Congressman John Lewis is one of my heroes.

And today (July 17) marks the sixth anniversary of his transition from this earthly life to the communion of saints. Each year, we say “thank you” to John Lewis.

I like Andrew Young’s take. John Lewis “didn't convince you by his arguments. He convinced you by his life… He believed what we talk about, and he lived it every day of his life. And he didn't have a violent streak in his body. And he was always forgiving, always loving, always understanding. And he never made you feel guilty. But he made you feel responsible.”

I’m always curious about how people (how we) choose the paradigm to write, tell stories, preach and live. What’s the invitation today?

From my life journey, here’s what I know; if the story makes me feel small (shame) or fearful or angry (where there are always others to blame and dismiss), then we’re not telling (or hearing, or embracing) a redemptive and liberating story.

Today is a good day to pause. And tell stories that let us remember the gift of epiphanies.
And to let the light of mercy and compassion be rekindled.
They remind me that… Grace wins. Hope wins. Compassion wins.
In a world where cruelty is real and taking a toll, I know it's something I could use.

“In so many ways, John’s life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it’s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.” Barack Obama 

Sabbath Moments

Ephesians 6:10-20…Love wins!

 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 

Joy in the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ is our strength. Jesus did do what we could not. There is power in His name and in His righteousness we can stand before our Holy God. Our fight is not with people but with the powers of evil that work to destroy the world that God created. Armed with the Gospel of peace we  stand strong in our faith, the gift of the Father, which protects us against evil. Jesus has won the battle! Trust in Holy Spirit to guide us home. Carla

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (NKJV)

This practical passage is one of the most famous and richly rewarding in all of the NT. Paul probably had plenty of time to contemplate the parts of a Roman soldier’s armor. After all, he was constantly guarded during his house arrest in Rome.

Be strong may also be translated “be made strong.” The passive voice would suggest that we cannot do it ourselves.

The whole armor of God is the believer’s protection against evil and the Evil One. Paul presented the extended metaphor of the battle dress roughly according to the order in which the various pieces were put on. Wiles of the devil are Satan’s subtle tricks to defeat Christians in spiritual warfare. The evil day is taken by some to refer to the end times when the Evil One will launch a ferocious campaign against Christ and His army. A more common view is that any great spiritual contest in a believer’s life could be in view here.

Verses 14–17 present the six pieces of spiritual armor. Four are mentioned specifically and the belt and shoes are implied. Soldiers girded themselves with a belt, from which hung strips of leather to protect the lower body. 

Truth is considered crucial by Paul (4:15, 25), because a dishonest Christian cannot hope to withstand the father of lies himself. The truth referred to here is integrity, a life of practical truthfulness and honesty. 

The breastplate of Roman times went completely around the body, so that the back of a warrior was also protected. The breastplate was made of hard leather or metal. The righteousness that the breastplate represents is not the righteousness of Christ, which all believers possess, but the practical, righteous character and deeds of believers.

A Roman soldier’s feet were shod with hard, studded shoes. Paul used this image to represent the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all may mean that the shield of faith is to be used against everything. It may also mean that the shield is to cover the whole armor. A Roman soldier’s shield typically measured two and a half feet by four feet. The Christian’s shield offers protection against all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Flaming arrows could not penetrate the fireproof shield of the ancient Roman soldier, nor can the assaults of Satan penetrate to the believer who places his or her faith in God.

The helmet of salvation is likened to the intricately designed Roman helmet which protected the soldier’s head and also made him look taller and more impressive. 

The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor. This weapon is not necessarily the Bible as a whole, but the specific word that needs to be spoken in a specific situation. To have the precise word ready, a person must know the Bible intimately.

Without prayer, all the armor in the world would be of no use. General prayers and specific petitions in the Spirit are to be made for all believers and at all occasions. Perseverance and patience in prayer are essential.

The apostle Paul was not ashamed to ask other believers to pray that he would have the courage to proclaim the gospel. Even as a prisoner, Paul still wanted to be a faithful witness for the Lord.

Paul was an ambassador in chains in Rome for the gospel of Christ. His prayer was that he might speak boldly, as an ambassador for the King of kings ought to speak. The NKJV Study Bible

In the letter’s final teaching section, Paul instructs believers to stand against the evil forces at work in the world. This discussion has three parts: a description of the nature of the battle (Ephesians 6:10–13), a call to resist the powers by putting on the armor of God (verses 14–17), and a reminder to pray and be alert (verses 18–20). 

The sword of the Spirit is the  weapon that helps believers proclaim the gospel message, to act on God’s behalf, and combat attacks from the devil (Ephesians 6:11–12). Faithlife Study Bible

Isaiah 59:17

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,

And a helmet of salvation on His head;

He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,

And was clad with zeal as a cloak.

Colossians 4:2–4

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains…

Isaiah 11:5

Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,

And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,“Your God reigns!”

Growing up, Christianity was about creed. About professing. (It’s similar to wanting the right answers to test questions.) And we were—and sadly still are—too eager to point out those who stood on the outside of the box we made, meaning the wrong side.
In a national magazine, an ad for the Humane Society minced no words. Above an adorable puppy and kitten, the ad read, “It’s who owns them that makes them important.”
Yes. Returned to ourselves.
In other words, to assume the “answer to every question is compassion”, is not about creed. This is about who or what owns us.

Mother Teresa once told a roomful of lepers how much God loved them. She told them that they are "a gift to the rest of us."
Interrupting her, an old leper raises his hand, and she calls on him. "Could you repeat that again?" he asks. "It did me good. So, would you mind; just saying it again."
Yes please. Just say it again.
We easily forget, don't we... the cathartic power of grace?
The power to shine the light on shame and fear and paranoia.
To invite us to bear the beams of love.
To invite us to be the kind of person we want to be.
We forget the power and life-giving restoration and repair from simple gestures of compassion.
Here’s the deal: Today, let us remember who we are.
And let us remember, compassion is real.

“Compassion is at the heart of every little thing we do. It is the dearest quality we possess. Yet all too often it can be cast aside with consequences too tragic to speak of. To lose our compassion, we lose what it is to be human.” (Anon)

So, yes, compassion makes a difference. Sabbath Moments

Colossians 3:12-14 Love wins!

 1 Corinthians 13:1–13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing…

The love of God given to us in Christ Jesus covered a multitude of the sins of mankind. Should we not love others  the same?  Love God above all and love others in the same manner that He loves us. Without His love as our base we are just making noise. Carla

Colossians 3:12-14

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as •Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (NKJV)

Since all of God’s fullness resides in Christ, every spiritual reality is found in Christ. In Him, we lack nothing. The Greek word theotētos for Godhead is used only here in the NT and designates the totality of God’s nature and person. All the fullness of the Godhead “dwells” or “permanently resides” in the body of Jesus, the God-man. The NKJV Study Bible.

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people (Deuteronomy14:2; Romans9:4–5). However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ (Colossians3:11), Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people. Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another (Luke 7:47). Faithlife Study Bible

Ephesians 4:2–3

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Corinthians 6:6

by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 

Philippians 2:1

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Let us never forget, we do not lose our capacity to care. To make space. To be present.

To bless and be blessed.

Because here's the deal: Blessing is not separate from fraught or broken lives.  On the contrary; we pass this blessing on to one another, even from splintered and imperfect selves. (It makes sense to me that the word salvation, from the Latin "salve," means a balm, or ointment to heal.)

Because division and cynicism too easily grip us, we “miss” one another... meaning we miss opportunities to see, to hear, to love, to touch and to bless. But here's the part that befuddles me. So often when we do touch (or are blessed)—and it does happen very often—we don’t see it. Ahhh, but when we do see it (even when we are broken)... it is the very kiss of God.

I confess: It’s so easy to close my eyes, and emotionally take a pass, because I know how to do that. And I can let gloom get the best of me because I know how to do that too. But this isn’t the time for any one of us to be trapped by fear and judgment, demonization and division, or to be unsettled by cruelty.

Grace wins. Hope wins. Compassion wins.

This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. What we do, and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple. Sabbath Moments

Revelation 5:8-10 Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord over all!

 Revelation 1:5–6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia to my Lord my God. For He so loved the world that He sent his only begotten Son that through Him the world could be saved (John 3:16-17) Carla

Revelation 5:8-10 

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,

And to open its seals;

For You were slain,

And have redeemed us to God by Your blood

Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,

10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;

And we shall reign on the earth.” (NKJV)

Revelation 14:1–4

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps…

Psalm 141:2

Let my prayer be set before You as incense,

The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Revelation 5:6

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 

Revelation 8:3–4

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

A prayer for a new day

Gracious God,

Thank you for the gift of today.

Refresh me. Invite me to discover your presence

In each person that I meet

And every event that I encounter.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen

When to ponder and when to share.

In moments of challenge and decision

Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,

Gift me with simple joy.

When my day goes well, may I rejoice.

When it grows difficult, surprise me with

New possibilities.

When life is overwhelming, call me to

Sabbath moments

To restore your Peace and Harmony.

May my living today reveal your Goodness.

Amen.

Pat Bergen, C.S.J. via Jesuit Resource