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

Psalm 34:14 Jesus came with shouts of peace, peace to the people on earth!

 Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  

What does God require of me? To seek justice for those who cannot seek it for themselves. To forgive others because He forgave me. To always remain humble in my walk with Him, knowing that I only see  in part that which God sees in whole. (Micah 6:8) 

We are blessed when we actively seek peace, not only for our country, but for the world that God created. We were created to do good  not just be hearers of Scripture. Jesus came to give up His life for ours and He is our example of how we are to live. God wants us to  love Him above all and include Him in all that we do. Jesus says we fulfill all of the rest of commandments when we love other families as much as we do our own. Love is the only thing that we will take with us from this world to the  Kingdom of God.  To God all glory and honor belongs. Carla

Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil and do good;

Seek peace and pursue it. (NKJV)

It is not enough not to do hurt, we must study to be useful, and to live to some purpose; we must seek peace and pursue it; be willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace’ sake. It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry unto God, and it is their constant comfort that he hears them. The righteous are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is more needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from every self-confidence. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage such a one but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Like a wisdom teacher the psalmist tells God’s people that fearing Yahweh involves refraining from speaking evil or deceit—a common theme in Wisdom Literature. It also involves a turning away from evil to good (Proverbs 3:7–8; 8:13; 16:6). Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 37:27

Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell forevermore.

Isaiah 1:16–17

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

Romans 14:19

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Job 28:28

And to man He said,

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

These days I cry easily. And gratefully, I don’t whisk them away—from embarrassment, or an expectation of apology. (“I’m sorry,” we too easily say, when tears well up.)

I am grateful for the tears. They remind me that my heart is still alive and well.

One of my favorite stories for the heart is “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”, by Charlie Mackesy.

The boy sits on a branch and asks the mole: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

The answer: “Kind.”

The boy asks the mole, “What do you think success is?”

The reply: “To love.”

Sometimes we need stories more than food to stay alive. Stories to remind us, what really matters. Stories that invite and allow us, to see with our heart.

And if I were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I would answer, “A soft and gentle heart.”

In a world that feels upside down, I am so grateful for all the ways that hearts are still nurtured and nourished. Through friendship. Kind gestures. Places of sanctuary and healing. Acts of empathy and gentleness. Affirmations of dignity inclusion, and the power of grace. 

The majority of us seem to have an aversion to anything “broken” (especially our own brokenness). Wedded to the notion that those who are different need to be marginalized or “fixed.” Which means that we make premature judgments, naming whatever is wounded or shattered or broken, as wrecked or ruined or threatening, and to be feared; and we miss, we do not see, the flame and the glow of the Glory of God that is within each, and every one of us.

What is it about labels that seduce us? Or do they comfort us?
There is no doubt that fitting life (and people) into boxes is easier.
We are certain we know.
We are certain we are correct.
And it does tidy things up a bit.
But here's the deal: it's too easy to fuel the fire of misunderstanding and intolerance and small-mindedness when I witness all of this through the lens of my own labels. 

I do know that when we label, we exclude, rather than include.
I do know that when we label, we live with scotoma, selective blindness.
And scotoma shuts down our heart, our capacity to care, give, love or welcome.
“You Believe What?”
“What are They doing here?”
“What can I receive from Them?”
“Why should I help Them?”

For starters, Lord knows our world could use a little more tenderness right now.

Here’s the deal: Heroes are ordinary souls who carry the weight of ordinary life. And heroism is born in every act of kindness and compassion and inclusion, no matter how small. Because in a world cynical and afraid, it takes courage to be kind and generous of spirit, and to fight for mercy and justice. That in persistence, we can choose, steady, daily acts of gentleness and kindness and inclusion and healing. One step in front of another.
Feeling marginalized happens for so many in our broken world. And we internally lug labels, feeling confined to a “box”, different or even dismissed. And perhaps there, we can hear the invitation to bravery, to ask for help and get the care we may need.

The mission of the Gospel has not changed. But the stakes have. Because I live in a country that chooses to label, and “reject”, certain people.
What I am learning is this: Perhaps the very people I exclude, are the ones who carry the light—the candle—that will allow me to see. That will allow me to see the Grace of God. And the expansive reach of God's acceptance. To every single one of us. Sabbath Moments

“There's a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of this force when there is suffering, too much pain. Then suddenly the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a call, and answer in extraordinary ways.” From the film "Mother Teresa"

Matthew 19:16-22 To love is divine!

 Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (NKJV)

To love is divine. God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus. When we come to God through His shed blood our sins are forgiven. To those of us who have been forgiven much offering others that same forgiveness is easier. Is it easy to forgive those who have harmed us? No, but all things are possible with Holy Spirit in our lives. We love others because God first loved us. The love of money is at the root of many evils. We are all flawed  and He knows that we are mere humans. Carla

Matthew 19:16-22

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

•Jesus said•, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  (NKJV)

Why do you call Me good may be rephrased as “Why are you asking me concerning what is good?” The only One who can ultimately answer the question about goodness is God. The fact that Jesus went on to answer the question is a quiet claim to deity. This verse 21 does not teach salvation by works (Romans 3:23, 24; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Rather Jesus was proving the error of the man’s claim to have fulfilled God’s law (verse 20). If the young man loved his neighbor to the extent required by the Law of Moses (verse 19; Leviticus 19:18), he would have had no difficulty in giving away his wealth to needy people. The NKJV Study Bible

Eternal life describes life in the kingdom of the Messiah, which starts now but extends forever (John 3:16–17).

Why are you asking me about what is good?  God already had defined what is good when He gave the Israelites the 10 commandments. The one who is good refers to God, the giver of the commandments. Jesus responds with a representative sampling of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:2–17), to which he adds the command about loving one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).

Jesus sees the young man’s attachment to his possessions as a hindrance to faith. He commands the man to rid himself of whatever prevents him from making a total commitment to the kingdom of heaven. Jesus’ instructions suggest that the man has not truly kept the commandments, beginning with the first one—the command to have no other gods except Yahweh (Exodus 20:3). The man’s wealth is his god, and he is unwilling to part with it. Faithlife Study Bible

Exodus 20:12–16

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.“You shall not murder…

Deuteronomy 5:16–20

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.‘You shall not murder…

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD

Luke 10:25–28

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”…

I lived in Southern California and my friend from seminary, Paul Ford, introduced me to St. Andrew’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and retreat center in the high desert.

It became my “go-to” sanctuary for renewal, where I would spend three days a month on retreat. But, let’s just say, unplugging and renewal takes some rewiring.

And speaking of “go-to”—I love re-telling this story, because it grounds me. On my first visit to St. Andrew’s, I met my spiritual director. At lunch we talked, and I told him I would be there for three days, on a “Sabbath Retreat”.

And then, outlined my plans. (You know, you can get a lot done in three days. I had sermons to write, editing on a book, and of course, books to read... I smile still remembering it all.)

We spoke again right after Vespers. And he asked, “How’s your Sabbath Retreat going?”

“I think I failed my Sabbath,” I told him.

He laughed and laughed. A laugh I gratefully carry with me to this day. And it is what spiritual directors are good for, to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

“How did you fail?” he asked.

And I told him that after lunch I went back to my room and laid down, for “just a minute”, and the next thing I knew, it was five p.m.

He laughed, and said, “I’m so glad you slept. You rested. You needed that. And while you slept, you’ll be glad to know you were held in the arms of God’s love.” Sabbath Moments

1 Timothy 6:17-19 We are blessed to be a blessing to others.

1 Titus 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 

All good and perfect gifts come from God. He gives to the just and the unjust it is our choice to choose His way. He gives to us that we may share with those who have need. It is His perfect will that we are blessed to bless others. Carla

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give•, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (NKJV)

Paul has already condemned those who are attempting to become rich through the ministry (verses 6–10). The second group of people Paul addresses in regard to wealth (verse 9) are those who are already wealthy. Paul encourages Timothy to tell the rich not to be high-minded or proud and not to trust in uncertain riches. Only the living God can provide for all of our needs. Those with wealth are commanded to recognize God as the true source of their wealth and to be generous with their riches. The material blessings of God are to be enjoyed and used for the advancement of His Kingdom, not for self-centered living. Storing up may also be translated “treasuring up,” a phrase similar to Jesus’ challenge in Matthew 6:19–21 to lay up treasure in heaven. A believer’s daily obedience to God builds a good foundation for the time to come. The Scriptures teach that a believer’s works will be evaluated to see what his or her life in Christ has produced (1 Corinthians 3:10–15). The NKJV Study Bible

In this present age refers to the present time, with a negative connotation (2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 2:12). Paul reminds Timothy that material wealth is temporary and that believers must not adopt the world’s values concerning wealth. Some false teachers promoted an ascetic lifestyle, denying good things for the sake of what they claimed was holiness (or piety). Paul argues that true godliness leads to gratitude and generosity toward others, not asceticism. The rich must seek to be rich not only in wealth, but in good deeds that benefit others. Faithlife Study Bible

Acts 14:17

Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 

Romans 11:20

Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 

Psalm 62:10

Do not trust in oppression,

Nor vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase,

Do not set your heart on them.

Luke 12:20–21

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Dag Hammarskjold got it right, “God does not die on the day we cease to believe in a personal deity. But we die on the day when our lives cease to be illumined by the steady radiance of wonder renewed daily, the source of which is beyond all reason.”

Grace is an unseen sound that makes you look up, even and especially when life calls for cynicism.

So. In our world of hurry, noise and restlessness, and anger and disparagement, where do we hear the voice of grace?

However (this is important), we make a mistake if we assume that we need to orchestrate grace. And an even greater mistake if we assume we must get dressed up for it. Like prom night. Or study for it, like preparing for some multiple-choice test that has right and wrong answers.
Yes, it feels good to hear the affirmation. But it’s bigger than that.

Grace is the glue for the sanctuary that mends our spirit and soul.

I want to remember that I too have a voice. And that voice is a voice of grace.
A voice of mercy and kindheartedness.
A voice for sanctuary and safety.
A voice for inclusion, there the derisive narrative does not need to carry the day.

Remembering this; whenever we interrupt, and say, “But…” Grace is diminished.

“I do not understand the mystery of grace,” Anne Lamott writes, “only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.”

Grace is the soil for seeds of joy. So that our heart feels alive, even in the pain.
Grace fuels confidence inviting us to enter into our day and life with our whole heart, with no need to shut down or hide or strike out at others out of insecurity.
And joy always spills to others.

Today, let us honor places where we can speak these words—this whisper test—of welcome, “You are safe here. You are someone here. You are enough. You matter here.”

Not forgetting that theology—“Love one another, including the marginalized and even our enemies”—is not just about creed. In each case, there are faces, and names, and stories. Stories that touch this day, in its pain and uncertainty and bafflement.
This I know: today, I needed to hear the voice of Grace. Sabbath Moments