Fruit of the Spirit a daily devotional for Lent 2017

St. Paul's United Church of Christ 101 Worthington Road

Exton PA 19341

When people look at a Christian, what should they see? What virtues should proceed from the movement of the Spirit within the heart of a disciple? Or, to put it more simply, how can we describe a person whose life is shaped by the word of God? Paul offers this answer in his letter to the church in Galatia:

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (5:22-23)

Nine fruits birthed from one vine. Nine virtues growing in one ground. This Lent, I invite you to join the congregation of St. Paul's UCC in meditating on these nine fruits as we journey toward the cross together. May this be a time for us to reorient ourselves to the things that matter most, and to the God from whom all blessings flow. A blessed Lenten season to one and all! Jonathan +

MARCH 1—ASH WEDNESDAY

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

–John 15:4-5

! Here's a random fact about biblical food vocabulary. The word 'vegetable' appears only six times in the entire Bible. (Children and picky grown-ups should take note that 'broccoli' is entirely absent from the good book.) 'Fruit,' on the other hand, is amply represented, with more than 300 mentions. The apple gets a bad rap from the get-go, but let's not forget that God's first commandment to human beings, long before the Big Ten, was to "Be fruitful and multiply!" Be fruitful! This is about procreation, and more than procreation. Fruitfulness, the prophets teach us, is related to righteousness and peace. At one point, when Isaiah sang of his hope that the people of God would be renewed and redeemed, he imagined a day when "a spirit from on high is poured out on us, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest . . . [t]hen justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust for ever." (Isaiah 32:15-17) When Jesus teaches the disciples that their relationship with him will enable them to lead fruitful lives, he draws on the vision of Isaiah and other Hebrew prophets. This is not about having a ministry that is 'successful' or prosperous in material terms. This is about a life that gives birth to compassion, a life that illuminates the loving purposes of God so that others may see God's light and be glad in it. To what end? So that the world, blessed by the good news of the kingdom of heaven, may be graced with righteousness, peace, quietness, and trust for ever. Here Jesus reminds the disciples of the very first commandment. What are humans for? To bear fruit! But there's more. Jesus wants us to know that we do not do this work alone. God does not loom over us with a clipboard; God is neither our supervisor nor our taskmaster. Quite the contrary, God pours his own Spirit into our lives, making a divine dwelling place within us, so that he might do his work in us and through us. Through Christ, we share an organic spiritual unity with the Creator. We might take a moment to marvel at this, not only that God is closer to us than we imagined, but also that whenever we do bear fruit, it is because God himself is accomplishing his work in us. Holy God, help me to abide in Christ each day, that with my heart and mind set on his peace, with my soul renewed by his presence, I might live fruitfully and faithfully. Help me to become nothing in myself so that I might do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

–Jonathan Hauze

THURSDAY MARCH 2

Let all that you do be done in love.

–1 Corinthians 16:14

! The Bible has a lot of great stories and lessons, but if I had to pick one verse that sums up Jesus’ teaching it would be this one. What else do we need to know? But it is not always easy to approach everything is life’s journey with love, especially the difficult, annoying parts (insert pet peeve here). That is when it is helpful to think about the why of this lesson. Why should we do everything in love? Is it so that we can say we are making the world a better place, or because it’s the “right” thing to do? Is it a rule we should follow because God told us so? Those ideas probably won’t help us when times get tough, and they may even cause us to fail and feel bad about ourselves. What we really need to know is that the reason we can “Let all we do be done in love” is because we are loved by God and filled by God’s love. In Sunday school a few weeks ago we read a passage from Matthew that teaches us how God loves all of us, just like the sun shines and the rains fall over all the earth. We are all abundantly blessed by God’s unconditional love. It rises every day. It washes over all the earth. If we can begin to appreciate the abundance of God’s love, it becomes easier for us to just pass it around! Dear God, as sure as the sun will rise another day let me be confident of your abundant love so that I may be able to share it with others in everything that I do. Amen.

–Mayme Baumann

FRIDAY MARCH 3

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.

–1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Among the many aspects of Christianity that Friedrich Nietzsche targeted in his writings, the subject of love was singled out for scorn in a particularly stinging way:

"The most subtle artifice that distinguishes Christianity from other religions is a word: it speaks of love . . There is something so ambiguous and suggestive about the word love, something that speaks to memory and to hope, that even the lowest intelligence and the coldest heart still feel something of the glimmer of this word . . . for those countless ones who miss love, whether from their parents or their children or their beloved, and especially for people with sublimated sexuality, Christianity has always been a find." (from Mixed Opinions and Maxims, 1879, trans. Walter Kaufmann)

Ouch! Knowing that Nietzsche was the son of a Lutheran pastor, in a time and place when Protestant pastors were not known to be warm and fuzzy gents, I can't help thinking that this critique has a lot to do with the coldness of his upbringing. Whatever the reason, I appreciate the critique—this is a big reason why I like to read Nietzsche—because it helps me to be very clear about the real meaning of Christian love. Yes, we are the religion that places love above all things. We dare to declare that "God is love." But what does this mean? When Jesus teaches us to love our neighbors and our enemies, is this an expression of vague sentimentalism? Does it even have anything to do with our feelings? Paul gives us clarity. The love he describes, the love that follows the contours of Christ's life and teaching, is anything but vague or sentimental. This love is about action. This love does not feel things; it does things. This love leads us into service. It humbles us, and places us before our neighbor in a spirit of generosity and grace. It calls us to become ministers of all people, not just those what we feel inclined to like, but every person with whom we share this world. This takes us into a realm of the Christian faith that was even more offensive to Nietzsche—and is still offensive to a world that worships power—than the emphasis of love. Christ invites us to take the path of servanthood, not the path of mastery. He invites us to lose our lives (our selves, our egos, our pride) so that we might come to know the true, new life that belongs to all who are born of the Spirit. Christian love is so much more than a word . . . it is a way of life. God of love, help me to understand the ways of your love, and to hear your voice when you call me to yield, to kneel, to give. Guide me by your own Spirit, that Paul's love song may describe not only my aspirations but also my actions.

–Jonathan Hauze

SATURDAY MARCH 4

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

–Colossians 3:14

! It's hard to imagine "perfect harmony". Gripes, grudges, fear, frustration seem to have a strong hold on our hearts and minds. Even with those I dearly love, I find we can be out of step and not in "perfect harmony". It is easy to look at my partner as he suggests our children play one more round of a game before bed, and feel zero harmony. We love each other deeply, but in our human interactions I struggle to feel harmony. However, when I step back and reflect on our connection to each other and to the natural world; to rhythm of sunsets, the change of the seasons, to our commitment to being good stewards of the earth and raising children to share these values I realize that our love is bigger than any gripe, grudge, fear or frustration. I believe, with Jesus as a guide, I can find this love and compassion for everyone. Not just for my partner; but for my neighbor, my coworker, and my friend with different beliefs and values. A love that asks nothing in return, but brings about harmony through its steadfastness. The poet Hafiz wrote:

Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, "You owe me." Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the whole sky. The beauty of the earth is an inspiration for love and the harmony that loves brings. Dear God, let us love others as the sun loves the earth. Let us love as Jesus loves. Amen.

–Lauren Alexandro

SUNDAY MARCH 5

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear;

for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.

–1 John 4:18

! We cannot have perfect love and fear at the same time because perfect love has no fear. This verse made me stop and think. Nate’s Topical Bible: "If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." (1 John 4:12, 16-21) Thank you, God, for your perfect love and guidance with it. In your name, we pray. Amen.

–Marg Perina

MONDAY MARCH 6

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.

–Galatians 5:13 !

In November of 1520, the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther published an essay entitled "On the Freedom of the Christian." He opened with a bold statement: "A Christian is an utterly free man, lord of all, subject to none." Now that's an idea an American can really get behind. But wait, that's not all. Luther followed that statement with an equally bold—and seemingly contradictory—statement: "A Christian is an utterly dutiful man, servant of all, subject to all." Luther wasn't trying to be funny or nonsensical. Quite the contrary, he was dealing with a very serious question about the Christian's engagement with the world—and her responsibility to her neighbors. Christians are, as Paul writes, "called to freedom." Having been loved by the God of resurrection, there is now no earthly power—or heavenly power, for that matter—that can bind our souls and separate us from his divine love. There is no longer any earthly authority that has the power to determine our eternal life with God. But our freedom in Christ is not simply a "freedom from . . ." It is a "freedom for . . ." Despite the contemporary understanding of "personal freedom," God does not free us so that we can simply serve our own ends. The love of Christ joins us to others. It places us in relationship with others and calls upon us to build up the body in love. Paul suggests that this relationship is so vital that it makes us interdependent: "if one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." With freedom therefore comes responsibility, as we are challenged to ask not only what we have a right to do but more importantly what we should do for the sake of the body of Christ. If you have trouble thinking about the church in this way, let me offer a different example. I think that this is an apt description of the kind of selfless spirit on which every good marriage depends. I am perfectly free at any time to tell Liza what I think about this or that. There's no law prohibiting me from complaining to her every time I feel annoyed about something. I am free do act as I will. (And suffer the consequences!) But I am also bound to her by my love. I have promised to serve her. When I do this well, it is a joy—and not only my joy. As Wendell Berry wrote in a poem to his wife: "What wonder have you done to me? / In binding love you set me free." Teach me the meaning of freedom, and the meaning of love, O God, so that I may come into the joy of your presence here and now, in the relationships I share and the responsibilities I bear.

–Jonathan Hauze

TUESDAY MARCH 7

My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.

–James 1:2-4 !

There is a wonderful scene in the last book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, when Gandalf the wizard has arrived with Pippin the hobbit in the capital city of Gondor. The wizard has come on a grave errand. War is coming, and Gandalf knows that so much depends on the willingness of Gondor to go out and meet the Dark Lord with all its strength of arms. But Gandalf is rebuffed by the steward of the city. His anger and frustration is volcanic. A lesser person would have despaired of all hope. But suddenly, when Pippin innocently inquires whether Gandalf is angry with him, the wizard laughs a deep, hearty laugh:

"Pippin glanced in some wonder at the face now close beside his own, for the sound of that laugh had been gay and merry. Yet in the wizard's face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.”

Maybe this is kind of joy that James is writing about in today's scripture. Not an easy happiness that depends on the good fortune of one's immediate circumstances, but something that runs much deeper. Maybe joy, in the Christian sense, has nothing to do with what we habitually call 'happiness,' and everything to do with what we usually call 'hope.' Gandalf is in the midst of a terrible trial. He is overwhelmed by care and sorrow. But he does not despair, he does not wallow in anger or self-pity, because his care and sorrow have their roots in a determined hope in the victory of goodness and light. James says that we should consider our trials to be joy. I might put it another way, saying that we should look upon times of trial as an opportunity to remember the abiding joy that has been given to us in Christ. No matter what befalls us, we can count on the presence of the Holy Spirit to pour the love of God into our hearts. This love will not fail us or depart from us. Knowing this is true joy. Knowing this will make us complete, wanting nothing. Even when lions prowl in the wilderness of our lives, we can rest assured that "the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." God of the cross, remind me when I am struggling, when the burdens of life seem too heavy to bear, that you are not only by my side but within my heart. Remind me of the joy that is in me, and let me be sustained by the sure and certain hope that you have given in Christ.

–Jonathan Hauze

WEDNESDAY MARCH 8

For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

–Psalm 30:5

!

Don't go to bed mad. Sleep well in God's endless love. Wake up happy now. Dear God, help us to be forgiving and loving to others and to ourselves. Amen.

–Lauren Alexandro

THURSDAY MARCH 9

For to the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

–Ecclesiastes 2:26

!

I had to read this a few times, and think about it a great deal, before I began to understand what it might mean. Now I'm going to attempt an interpretation, but first let me emphasize that word "might" in the previous sentence. At first glance it seems like a teaching about rewards and consequences. Those who please God will be blessed with wisdom and knowledge and joy, while sinners will be afflicted with the work of gathering and heaping. But something about this reading doesn't quite add up. It seems like it puts the cart before the horse. The Bible does not tend to describe wisdom and knowledge and joy as byproducts. Instead, they are things on which pleasing God depends. Wisdom and knowledge have to do with the study of God's law, with the willingness to learn God's ways and re-order your life in accordance with these ways. Likewise, joy is an act of trust, a mark of abiding faith, as those who entrust their souls to God dare to rejoice even in times of hardship, because they know that God, their Redeemer, will not fail to remember them. But what if we read this the other way around? What if the work of gathering and heaping is the sin? What if wisdom and knowledge and joy is what pleases God? This makes more sense to me. In this phrase "gathering and heaping" I hear an indictment of an acquisitive life, a life that is centered and making more, having more, possessing more. Remember Jesus' parable about the man who thought he was so smart when he built bigger storehouses for the grains that he gathered in his once-in-a-lifetime harvest? It didn't end so well for him. And neither does it go well for those who spend their lives in the relentless pursuit of things that they think will make them happy. To do this is "vanity," which in the Hebrew has to do with emptiness, void, nullity. To center our lives on the knowledge of God's love—this is to be filled with good things. To strive to live wisely, according to the commandments—this is to know true abundance. To choose joy, giving thanks to God every day—this is a blessed life. God of life, free me from the restless pursuit of "things" that might satisfy, that I may rest in your presence, take heart in your word, and come each day into the joy of your presence.

–Jonathan Hauze

FRIDAY MARCH 10

We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

–2 Corinthians 6:8b-10

! Thoreau had a literary quirk that drove his friend Emerson crazy. I'll let Emerson describe it. This is from his eulogy for Thoreau (a beautiful and sometimes surprisingly frank essay), published in The Atlantic in August of 1862:

"A certain habit of antagonism defaced his earlier writings,—a trick of rhetoric not quite outgrown in his later, of substituting for the obvious word and thought its diametrical opposite. He praised wild mountains and winter forests for their domestic air, in snow and ice he would find sultriness, and commended the wilderness for resembling Rome and Paris."

It's true. Thoreau loved to confound the reader with paradoxes of this sort. But was this merely a trick of rhetoric, or worse, a bad habit? I have always been inclined to think that Emerson, no naturalist, simply did not understand what Thoreau understood, that he could not see what the bard of Walden saw. This was just a hunch, until I read Wendell Berry's introduction to one of his most recent collections of poetry. Berry, the farmer-poet-philosopher, is the best observer of nature that we have had since Thoreau, and in this book he laments his early over-use of the word "wild" to describe the non-human creatures of the world:

"The longer I have lived and worked here among the noncommercial creatures of the woods and fields, the less I have been able to conceive of them as "wild." They plainly are going about their own domestic lives, finding or making shelter, gathering food, minding their health, raising their young, always well-adapted to their places. They are far better at domesticity than we industrial humans are."

There is something here that touches on Paul's list of paradoxes. The Christian has died with Christ, and yet is truly alive. The Christian is poor in material things (this, of course, has changed), and yet is richer than Solomon himself. The Christian bears the sorrows of the world, and yet is filled with a joy that makes her soar like an eagle. Is this a trick of rhetoric? Or does the Christian learn to look at the world differently, knowing that the kingdom of heaven, which turns the values of this world on its head, is nearer to us that we ever imagined? God, help me to live according to the good news of your kingdom instead of serving the wild ways of the world. Make me glad in your presence, that my rejoicing may free me from the desire to possess, control, or dominate.

–Jonathan Hauze

SATURDAY MARCH 11

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

–John 16:24

!

In the previous chapter, Jesus teaches his disciples that by keeping his commandments they will be dwelling in his love: "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." The Greek word translated as abide has many dimensions. It can mean 'remain,' 'dwell,' 'stay,' 'endure.' What does it mean to listen and learn from Jesus? It means that his love will become our home, our dwelling place. It means that his love will become a place where our soul may find rest and renewal, sustenance for the journey and courage for the work that is set before us. It means that the love of Jesus, which is the love of the Father, will become our food and drink, our shelter and strength. This love is not something external or outside of us, but something that we are invited to inhabit, that our whole lives might be immersed in it. Then Jesus says, "I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." This last phrase, "that your joy may be complete," is repeated in today's scripture. And here Jesus relates the completion of our joy to our willingness to ask for God's help. He is talking, I think, about prayer. This is important. Here is an invitation for us to be in a dynamic and lively relationship with God, not merely as passive instruments but as active partners. The fulfillment of our joy is connected here with our determination to bring our petitions before God. Why is this so? Why is silent reverence not enough? I don't know for sure, but maybe it means that we also need to speak sometimes in order to learn that God listens. Maybe this has something to do with a practice of prayer that reminds us, despite our imperfections that often lead us to ask for the wrong things, that God hears us and cares about us. There is a joy that comes from the freedom of talking to God, from knowing that God is not only listening but also loving you as you speak. In one of my favorite books, Marilynne Robinson's Lila, there is a description of a man, a pastor, who "used to talk to Jesus in the parlor, and they all had to be very quiet until they heard him at the front door, saying, "Lord, I do truly thank You for Your time!"" This man was, his son remembers, "a pretty wild old fellow." But the way that Jesus might tell it, I think that he was probably pretty joyful too. God, give me courage to come before you with all of my hopes and dreams, all of my fears and feelings. Help me to be more free in expressing my desires since, after all, you already know my desires anyway. With the boldness of your child I ask: Give me joy—the same joy that was in Jesus!

–Jonathan Hauze

SUNDAY MARCH 12

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

–Matthew 5:9 !

Jean Vanier is one of my heroes. In the 1960s he was called by God to minister to developmentally disabled persons. Deeply concerned about the way that disabled persons were often institutionalized to live apart from others, unhappily estranged from a society that did not make room for them, Vanier founded the first L'Arche community in France to be a place where disabled and non-disabled persons would live together not as "clients" and "caregivers" but as members of one community, as neighbors in the true biblical sense of the word. Today L'Arche includes 147 such communities in 35 countries. Jean Vanier knows something about peacemaking. He knows that peace is much more than simply the absence of violence. Peace, as it is embodied in the L'Arche movement, has to do with building up the body of Christ in love, the body in which the most lowly and humble ones are treated with the greatest respect. Peacemaking therefore requires a commitment to community, a desire to make a life together with others. This is not easy, but neither it is impossible. In one of his talks, Vanier outlines six points for peacemakers to follow: (1) Respect every individual human being; (2) create space for people to grow and become mature; (3) always stay in dialogue; (4) keep adapting mutual expectations; (6) always direct your attentions to those who suffer most. The first five points might be found, in some shape or form, in any number of resources on constructive dialogue, inside or outside of the church. But the sixth point is uniquely Christian. It rests on the Christian conviction, expressed by Jesus and emphasized by Paul, that God has a special concern for the poor, the lowly, and those who are devalued by the powerful. Looking at Jesus' words, "blessed are the peacemakers," through the lens of Vanier's six points, I am challenged by this insight that peacemaking is really about the creation of a community in which all people are honored as children of God, as members of one family. Laying down our weapons is not enough. We must also take up the hard work of bearing each other's burdens, sharing our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and offering our love to others. God of grace, you have taught us how to live as your children. You have shown us the way to happiness by giving us neighbors and friends with whom to share our love and our lives. Help us to cherish these most precious gifts, and to devote ourselves to this kind of peacemaking that leads to true community and mutual joy.

–Jonathan Hauze

MONDAY MARCH 13

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

–Romans 12:18 !

My guess is that Paul wants his readers to focus on the last part of this sentence. The instruction is to "live peaceably with all." But I can't help wondering about the first part. Call it human nature. The same human nature that prompted the lawyer to ask Jesus, as a follow-up question to the commandment to love your neighbor, "But who is my neighbor?" There's always some part of us that is hoping to be excused from responsibility, as though the Bible's ethical laws are like jury duty. What exactly does Paul mean when he says, "If it is possible"? There is only one other time that Paul uses that word in his writings, and the other time is just plain weird. (Look it up: Galatians 4:15). So he must have had good reason for using it here. One possibility is that he's trying to sound like a reasonable guy, so that his readers won't write him off as a total dreamer. After all, this verse comes in the middle of some heavy-duty instructions about the responsibilities of Christians to one another, instructions that don't provide much wiggle-room. Maybe this is Paul's way of saying, "Look, I'm only asking you to do what you can . . . . I know that it won't always be possible, so don't get down on yourselves when you fall short." There is another possibility. (I'm sorry to say.) Paul may want the reader to reflect on the meaning of that word "possible" in the Christian vocabulary. The gospels tend to use that word in the context of God's power to bring about new realities in human life. When Mary wonders at the message of the angel, he assures her, "nothing will be impossible with God." When the disciples wonder who is worthy enough to be saved, Jesus says, "for mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." And when the disciples doubt themselves, Jesus encourages them to have faith: "For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Here we find, again and again, that the human notions of what is "possible" are no longer applicable in the new realm which has come into being with the incarnation of God's love. Is it possible for us to live peaceably with all? If we rely solely on ourselves, probably not. But if we entrust our spirits to God, humbling ourselves so that Christ may be exalted, within our hearts and in the space between ourselves and others, nothing will be impossible. Give me grace to trust you in all things, and help me to be led by your Spirit, so that out of my faith may lead me into your peaceable kingdom.

–Jonathan Hauze

TUESDAY MARCH 14

I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

–Psalm 4:8 !

This is the last line of the psalm, and read alone it gives the impression that the poet's life is marked by quiet and serenity. Not so. The psalm begins with a bold cry that carries a sense of urgency and desperation: "Answer me when I call, O God of my right!" The poem slides back and forth from hope to distress, as the poet seems to feel besieged even as he knows that he belongs to the God of mercy. I almost get the feeling that the poet is struggling with a long stretch of sleeplessness. In the middle of the psalm, he says, "When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent." I wonder if he is speaking to himself, counseling patience and trust, lest the dark thoughts of his anxious nights get the better of him. This possibility puts me in mind of William Wordsworth, whose sonnet "To Sleep" takes us inside the mind of one who lies awake at night:

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by One after one; the sound of rain, and bees Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas, Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky;— I’ve thought of all by turns, and still I lie Sleepless; and soon the small birds’ melodies Must hear, first utter’d from my orchard trees, And the first cuckoo’s melancholy cry. Even thus last night, and two nights more I lay, And could not win thee, Sleep! by any stealth: So do not let me wear to-night away: Without Thee what is all the morning’s wealth? Come, blesséd barrier between day and day, Dear mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health!

What is the insomniac to do? Both the English poet and the Hebrew psalmist suggest prayer (and poetry-writing!), if not as a remedy, at least as a means of focusing the mind on good things. More than that, the psalmist reminds us what we are waiting for, and what we are calling upon God to give. Not just a physical rest the labors of the day, but a renewal of the spirit in the peace of God's presence. So that we might wake not only with fresh thoughts and joyous health, but with hearts made strong to love, and with spirits eager to bless. May God grant all of us such a sleep! Come, Good Shepherd, and fill our days and nights with your peace.

–Jonathan Hauze

WEDNESDAY MARCH 15

Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

–Philippians 4:9 !

Paul was on a mission to spread Jesus’ message to other parts of his world because I think he saw and felt the benefit, for himself and the world, of living according to the radical example of peace and love that Jesus showed us while on earth. He did this at great sacrifice to himself as he was writing this letter to the Philippians from a jail cell and yet he was at peace. Paul wanted to be an example that showed people that the work to be done to spread the good news of a new way of thinking about God and our relationship with each other was not always the easy or popular thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. It would bring peace to the people of God. He wanted his audience to persist in living the way Jesus taught us for their own benefit and he knew that the people would need this encouragement because the work is not easy. Although in our world we don’t face jail time or a death sentence to be a Christian (at least not in the developed world), it is still hard work to live by the example that Jesus taught us and that Paul encourages us to continue. I think it can be a particular challenge today because even among Christians there are differences in the interpretation of what the example should be and at times the message of Jesus is twisted for personal or political gain. However, if we persist in the core things that Jesus and Paul taught us; kindness and love for one another and thinking of the needs of others instead of our own (selflessness and humility), the peace of God will be with us. This is hard work that is never done but Jesus wanted us to see that living this way would bring both inner peace and peace to our world. Dear Lord, help us to persist in living by the example that Jesus taught us. Help us to focus on love and kindness to each other to bring peace to ourselves and more peace in our world, a peace that God means for us to have with each other.

–Chris Baumann

THURSDAY MARCH 16

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

–Psalm 34:14 !

Ever since Walden was published, there has been endless (and inconclusive) debate about what Henry David Thoreau meant when he referred to his lost hound, bay horse, and turtle-dove:

"I long ago lost a hound, a bay horse, and a turtle-dove, and am still on their trail. Many are the travelers I have spoken concerning them, describing their tracks and what calls they answered to. I have met one or two who have heard the hound, and the tramp of the horse, and even seen the dove disappear behind a cloud, and they seemed as anxious to recover them as if they had lost them themselves."

He never explains the significance of the story, allowing the reader to draw her own conclusions. One reader guesses, for example, that each of the three symbols relates to some aspect of human vitality, that the hound represents community and companionship, the bay horse passion and energy, and the dove the transcendental quality, given to all human beings, "to break the bonds of family, religion, nation and materialism." (Jack Matthews, from his Sage to Meadow blog) I like this idea, but I think it's also possible that the search itself is the vital thing. Thoreau's vision of life is anything but passive or inactive. His is a wakeful, engaged, passionate life. He despised worldly pursuits and threw himself headlong into a search for truth: "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." He tracked it his whole life, always attentive so that he might pick up its trail. I mention this because I noticed that the psalmist speaks of the good life in similar terms. Just replace Thoreau's "truth" with the poet's "peace." I like this idea of peace as something that we are meant to pursue, something that we are supposed to be on the lookout for. Do we live each day with this passion to find peace, to set our paths according to the ways that peace has traveled? Could we describe to a passerby the sound, the smell, the shape of peace? Are we as anxious to recover it as Thoreau was to find his hound and bay horse and turtle-dove? God, help me to seek peace and pursue it with all of my energy. Show me the way, and give me strength so that I may not rest until I have it in hand, in heart, in soul.

–Jonathan Hauze

FRIDAY MARCH 17

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

–Romans 12:12

! In a letter to his mother and brother, Mark Twain poked fun at the old adage that good things come to those who wait. He wrote, "All good things arrive unto them that wait—and don't die in the meantime." What does Christian patience look like? Paul counsels us to be patient in suffering, but what does he mean exactly? That we should keep our mouths shut and stop complaining? (I worry sometimes that this is the idea my children get about patience, given the circumstances every time I find myself desperately pleading with them to be patient." Or—this is probably closer to the mark—that we should look to the promises of God, staying focused on our future hope instead of our present circumstances? This is surely part of it. But I don't think it tells the whole story. What does this say about the presence of God with us in our suffering, with us in the present moment of our troubles? Henri Nouwen addresses this in one of his writings:

How do we wait for God? We wait with patience. But patience does not mean passivity. Waiting patiently is not like waiting for the bus to come, the rain to stop, or the sun to rise. It is an active waiting in which we live the present moment to the full in order to find there the signs of the One we are waiting for. The word patience comes from the Latin verb patior, which means “to suffer.” Waiting patiently is suffering through the present moment, tasting it to the full, and letting the seeds that are sown in the ground on which we stand grow into strong plants. Waiting patiently always means paying attention to what is happening right before our eyes and seeing there the first rays of God’s glorious coming.

This is helpful to me, to think about patience being related to the word for suffering. It helps me because it reminds me that patience is not a matter of stoically enduring the present moment of trouble, but about attending to the real presence of God in all the times of life. I would like to do this, to be more alert to the signs of God's love in the hours that try my patience. God of joy and sorrow, be with me in times of suffering, and shine the light of your love upon me, so that I may perceive your nearness and draw strength from your Spirit.

–Jonathan Hauze

SATURDAY MARCH 18

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

–Psalm 37:7-9

! This seems like an urgently important scripture for our time. Between the mob 'mentality' of social media and the endless barrage of news stories about the lives of others, it has become nearly impossible to make it through a day without being invited to pass judgment on another human being. This is bad enough, given what Jesus has taught us about judging others. ("Don't do it!) But there's a larger matter here, not just the question of whether we are judging others, but the question of how we keep ourselves on the path of goodness and mercy. Are we so busy worrying about the wrongdoings (real or perceived) of our neighbors that we are neglecting our own soul-work? How can you see to remove the speck in your neighbor's eye, Jesus asked, when you have a log stuck in your own eye? Good question. The obvious answer is that we can't, but the honest answer in terms of the way we often live our lives is that it's more interesting to talk about our neighbor's speck—not to mention the way that it distracts us from the things that grieve us about our own lives. The good news is that this is not an either/or situation, where we have to choose between looking down on our neighbors and feeling bad about ourselves. Read the psalm again: "Do not fret." This applies to both our neighbors whom we are inclined to judge, and to our very own souls. Likewise, Jesus says "Do not worry." Why not fret or worry? Because God knows us and cares for us and wants us to be well. Because nothing can separate us from the love that we have known in Christ. Because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, so that we might be renewed every day for a life of joy and peace. God of grace, guard me against unkind thoughts and words, so that instead of being obsessed with other people, I may be freed to love other people; so that instead of being focused on what other people are doing, I may be aware of what you are doing to bless the world.

–Jonathan Hauze

SUNDAY MARCH 19

Do not be quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

–Ecclesiastes 7:9

! This is fantastic advice but it is much easier said than done. How many times have we done things out of anger and felt foolish and regretted what we had said and done in that situation. However, it’s human nature for anger to come quick and the desire to respond just as quickly. We see it everywhere in our world today; just spend a few minutes looking at the news or Facebook. Initially responding to a perceived injustice or threat to us with anger may feel good because we feel we have stood up for something or defended ourselves. The problem in being quick to do this without consideration of all the circumstances of a situation can cause us to make foolish decisions or take foolish action and hurt other people unnecessarily. Sometimes our anger is about us and not about others and responding outwardly is not even necessary. God wants us act with wisdom, compassion, love and empathy rather than anger, judgment and fear. It is not that being angry about something is always avoidable. There are true injustices in the world or in our lives where some initial anger may motivate an important and helpful response. However, the advice to slow down when we feel angry and to think about why we are angry is critically important. Thinking about why we are angry helps us consider all points of view in a situation and control our response so that if we respond we do it with kindness and compassion and avoid being a purveyor of harm or injustice ourselves. For me, prayer is an important tool for this slowing to anger. Prayer allows me to meditate on why I am feeling what I am feeling and thinking about the need for an outward response or how to respond based on the example Jesus gave us. This slowing down often quiets the anger and allows it to dissipate before a foolish response can occur. Notice I said often, definitely not every time…I still need lots of practice. Dear Lord, help me to be thoughtful, wise and kind in times of anger. Help me to slow down, understand my anger and find peace.

–Chris Baumann

MONDAY MARCH 20

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

–Isaiah 40:31

!

The wonderful message of this Bible verse is that those who wait for the Lord will have their strength renewed. When we think of a person's strength, we usually think of the young athletes we watch on television all the time. We're impressed by their physical abilities that makes us seem weak when compared to them. We however need to realize that even they are weak when compared to God's strength. We need to first realize our weaknesses and hope for the promise of God's strength for us. I find comfort in this verse in the difficult times of my life. Times when I feel I'm not strong enough to accomplish what needs to be done. As soon as I read this verse as one of the devotional choices, I thought of the song "On Eagle's Wings," composed by Father Michael Jonas, a priest. I think about the eagle's wings used in this song as a metaphor for God. I think about the eagle as the strongest of all birds, who soars to the highest heights above the earth. High enough to be the closest to God and Heaven. The Bible verse reminds me of the strength available through God. With God's strength I'm able to face the everyday pressures of the world. What a great promise of the many promises of God that we have to remember to wait and hope for. Thank you, God, for the gift of your presence that renews me each day. Lift my soul with the wings of your Spirit, and make me strong with your love that soars above all things.

–George Haughton

TUESDAY MARCH 21

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth,

being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.

–James 5:7

! This scripture reminds me of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." As every farmer—and gardener—knows, growth can take a long time. There's an episode of Curious George in which George is eager to help his friend, Chef Pisghetti, with his rooftop garden. The vegetables have all been harvested, so it's time to plant seeds, which will take 3-4 months to germinate and grow. But George is not a patient little monkey. Inspired by the story of the Elves and the Shoemaker, he does some "gardening" by night, placing ready-to-eat vegetables from the market in the garden. When Pisghetti discovers the unexpected bounty in his garden the next morning, he is overwhelmed with joy and wonderment! The jig is up before long, when it is discovered that George also "planted" cans of peas, but that's another story . . . Real gardens, whether real or metaphorical, are not magical. Sometimes we must wait a very long time to see the fruit of our labor. Sometimes our labor does not even bear fruit. Sometimes we must be content with planting seeds that will blossom many years after we are gone, to nurture the lives of future generations. Especially in this age of instant gratification, this is not easily understood or accepted. But this is the life to which God has called us. We are humble servants in the service of God, for whom a thousand ages are like an evening gone. We do not hold time in our hands; rather, our time is held in God's hand. So be patient, therefore, beloved . . . After reminding his readers that "God gave the growth," Paul adds one more thing. He writes that "neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." We cannot be patient unless we are also humble, remembering that God is everything. Knowing that God is love, and that God's love is poured out for us, can there be any more important thing to remember in life? Help me to have a proper sense of my role in this world, O God, and of the limits that are placed upon me by my mortality and by your divinity. Illuminate me with this understanding, so that I may serve you well and wait patiently for your coming.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 22

. . . and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

–Ephesians 4:32

!

What is kindness? Is it about doing nice things for one another? Or being polite to one another, even if through gritted teeth? Is it purely a matter of outward actions, having nothing to do with inward inclinations? My sense is that most of us have thought of kindness in this way, in the tradition of Samuel Johnson, who wrote that "kindness, at least actual, is in our power, but fondness is not." We can choose to be kind to others, in other words, even if we are not always overly fond of them. This is a start. (You have to start somewhere!) But it is not enough for Paul. It does not encompass the full meaning of kindness in the life that has been shaped—and continues to be shaped—by the grace of Christ. "Be kind to one another," Paul says. And then he gives kindness some color and depth. What does kindness involve? Tenderheartedness. Forgiveness. It is more than words and deeds. It is a warmth of the heart, an opening of the spirit to one another. No room for gritted teeth or grudges here. Impossible? Too much to ask? Paul helps us to find our way by reminding us to look at the way that God has related to us. Not with grudging pleasantries, but with an overflowing love, with an embracing grace, with a relentless desire to draw us close in order to bless us. It helps to remember this. And it gives me much to be thankful for, not only that God has loved me, but that this love has the potential to bring healing and new life to every relationship in which I play a part. It is very easy to hold on to the past, the hurts of yesterday, so that they become a burden upon our present and a shadow looming over our future. But it need not be so: "if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Such kindness is an act of faith, because it amounts to a willingness to believe in the reality and beauty of the kingdom of heaven. When we open our hearts to one another, when we forgive one another, we step through the gates of this kingdom where God's lovingkindness shines like a light over all things. My heart is glad in you, O God, and I cannot thank you enough for the mercy and lovingkindness that you have shown me. By your grace, let the gratitude I feel lead me into a kindlier life, a warmer heart, and a strength to forgive.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 23

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High;

for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

–Luke 6:35

!

What's in it for me? Even when this question is not in the forefront of our minds, there is no doubt that the idea of reciprocity plays an important role in shaping our actions. This can be a good thing, especially when it reinforces our commitment to an ethical maxim like the Golden Rule. Notice that the Golden Rule itself is offered with a reference to reciprocity: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Jesus invites us to consider the ideal economy of human relationships, and to act according to that ideal. How would you like people to respond to you? That's how you should respond to others. Sounds pretty simple. The problem is that we if we read the Golden Rule with the expectation that people will respond according to our ideal, we will be greatly disappointed. Nowhere does Jesus say that we can or should expect this from other people. Only that we have a responsibility for our own actions. So we can't get ourselves off the hook just because somebody is unkind to us. I'm not sure about the Greek work for "jerk," but it works here when Jesus reminds us that God is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Isn't that crazy?! Where's the justice in that kind of kindness? Where's the cosmic balance? Where's the fun, when you don't get to delight in the thought of your enemies getting their comeuppance? This is the point at which God patiently waits for us to get all the indignation and anger off our chests . . . and then reminds us what love is. Jesus assures us that "your reward will be great." Which at first glance sounds like he is replacing the reciprocity in human relationships with a reciprocity between humans and God. In other words, "You may not have the reward of your kindness being returned to you by the one you show kindness to, but you can count on having the reward of God's love." But I don't think this captures the full force of the statement. It sounds too much like a spiritual consolation prize. When I think about the reward of being God's own child, which is the second part of this statement, I think about rising to the joy of a new life in which I am no longer obsessed with receiving a reward. If we are children of the Most High, what could we possibly lack? What reward would we possibly need? Is not God all? Is not love enough? God, you surprise and shock me with your kindness to all people, and I pray that I may live and act so strangely in the eyes of the world, that my own generosity and love may give people reason to praise you and know you.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 24

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

–Micah 6:8

!

The Maranatha Singers perform a beautiful gospel song entitled "Micah 6:8" which is simply this Bible verse set to music. (Here's the link: https://youtu.be/CIJIqwCIPcw ) You might want to listen to it before, during, or after reading this daily devotional. Just think of what our world would be like if everyone would strive for what this Bible verse encourages us to do. I'm thinking on the international level as well as with the immediate group of people around us daily. This verse reminds us that it requires active obedience as well as passive in showing kindness towards others. The first point in this verse is that we should daily strive to do justice towards others. Everyone should be treated equally. The world situations we watch on the news daily remind us of these problems. People are being oppressed and hurt by governments or others simply for who they are or what they believe in. The same is true here at home. We need always do the right thing. If we all could just render to everyone their due and always strive to just do good to everyone. The second point is to love kindness. Kindness needs to be shown in active obedience by helping others. We can befriend someone whom we don't know, someone who may be lonely. We can feed someone who is hungry. We can be a godly leader no matter what our vocation. And always be ready to hold someone's hand while they cry. The third point is to walk humbly with God. This requires both active and passive obedience towards God. I believe on the passive side it requires of us constant prayer and fellowship with God. On the active side by what we do will show others our humble path we walk with God. Through living these three major points we'll show the justice, kindness, and humble obedience we believe in. Through our fellowship with God and others we'll be known always for our kindness.

Dear God, source of all that is good, help me to live according to your word, to be just, and kind, and humble. Amen.

–George Haughton

MARCH 25

"Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?. . . Is there anyone remaining of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?"

–2 Samuel 9:3

! This comes from a final chapter in the tragic story of the relationship between Saul, the onetime king, and David, whose meteoric rise from shepherd to soldier to sovereign left many relationships (and lives) in ruin. At the beginning of 2 Samuel, we learn that Saul and his son Jonathan, who was David's beloved friend, have fallen in battle. Hearing the news, David is overcome by grief, tearing his clothes in an act of lamentation. It does not matter that Saul had been David's foe, that they had fought endlessly, that Saul had once sought David's life in a vain attempt to prevent him from gaining the thrown. None of this matters when David learns about the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David's grief is a product of cherished memory, the memory of an old kinship with Saul, the memory of a dear friendship with Jonathan. And now memory moves the king to something greater than grief. Something that has the power to turn a story of utter loss into a story of grace. Moved by his memory of Jonathan, David is now eager to bless one of Jonathan's descendents. He is not only eager, it seems, but desperate to do something good, something to change the course of the relationship, something that may not redeem the past but will certainly help to renew the future. Is there anyone left? Is there anyone remaining? Yes, there is. His name is Mephibosheth, and he is a son of Jonathan. He is disabled, and cannot walk. When David summons him, he fears the worst—presumably he has heard the stories about the many battles between his grandfather and the king. But David puts him at ease: "Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always." I am reminded of the famous lines by Robert Burns: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, / and never brought to mind?" And the answer: "For auld lang syne, my dear, / For auld lang syne. / We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, / For auld lang syne." Should we forget old friendships after they have soured, or neglected? Out with the old, in with the new? Or . . . shall we let our best memories lead us to share a cup o' kindness with each other? This is the path that David chooses. What about us? To whom might we show the kindness of God? For whose sake might we wish to show it? God, help me to put down the cup of bitterness, which I hold alone, and to pick up the cup kindness, which might be shared with another. In so doing, let me write a new ending to the sorrowful stories in my own life.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 26

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

–Proverbs 21:21 !

I really, really like this proverb. I like its elegant simplicity, and I like the way that its simplicity belies a powerful and deep philosophical message. Read it quickly, and you might come away with the sense that it says, "Be righteous, and you will be blessed . . . be kind, and you will be rewarded." And this is a good message, to be sure. But the patient, reflective reader, will see that there is more beneath the surface. Let me tell you what I see. First, the verb "pursue" gives the teaching a kinetic energy, emphasizing the active nature of righteousness and kindness. Rather than being passive qualities, these are things which are known and revealed in tangible words and deeds. One cannot sit on one's duff and pursue either righteousness and kindness. Where does this pursuit lead? Where do these actions take us? Here things get really interesting. It turns out that the objects of our pursuit (righteousness, kindness) are not the goal of our pursuit. This is a strange thing, when you think about it. When the police pursue a speeding car on the highway, they do not be expect to find, at the end of their chase, a portly gent riding a tricycle. This would be absurd. Amusing, perhaps, but absurd. And yet, this is what the proverb invites us to consider, in so many words: our pursuit of righteousness and kindness will lead us to something else entirely. They are a way to life and honor. Do you want to truly live? The path is through kindness. (Is Christ himself not the lovingkindess of God?) Having arrived at the surprising end of the text, discovering that our true goal is life and honor, we can now go back to the beginning with a new understanding of what life and honor are all about. Need I mention that this is a countercultural understanding? It is not only Americans who place the "pursuit of happiness" as among the highest of human values. But the biblical vision of life leads us beyond ourselves and calls us into the service of others. Here we discover, again, that we truly begin to live only when we begin to live for others, that we truly experience honor only when we humble ourselves. What are you pursuing? God of joy, let your Spirit re-shape my desires and goals, so that I may pursue that which matters most, and discover the life that truly is life.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 27

Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out,

an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

–Luke 12:33-34 !

In my new job I spend much time with people who, by the standard in this affluent part of suburbia, lack material possessions. Many of the students, families, and adults I have met in Reading live in poverty or close to it. So I have been struck by how generous they often are despite having so little to spare. Selfishness would be understandable from people whose resources are scarce, but they still willingly give what they have. When I ask one woman in my office building how her day is going, she often says, “This morning I opened my eyes and the sun was shining. It’s a good day.” While I’m still getting to know her, it seems to me that she believes God will provide what she and her family need, despite any obstacles they face. I know she derives joy from helping others and sharing her home cooking. This reminds me of one reason I’ve been told that Christians should make offerings to the church even if the amount seems too high for comfort – we believe that God will provide what we need and we have a duty to use our resources to help others. God, bless me with the willingness to readily give what I have. Amen.

–Becky VanderMeulen

MARCH 28

In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said,

‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ –Acts 20:35

! This verse is part of a heart-wrenching goodbye to the people Ephesus who have become like family to Paul. It continues: “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” When I read this passage I am reminded of a tear-filled scene with my family when I said good-bye at the airport before I went to spend my senior year in Sweden. At 17, I was just beginning my journey to independence, and that year abroad was a gift that would bring me perspective and change me forever. I didn’t know that then, but my mom did. Behind her tears, she knew it was good for me to go. Looking back now I realize how generous it was of my mom to not only let me go, but to encourage and reassure me, and accompany me to my ‘ship’. I think of her selfless example when I have to summon the courage to let go of my own children as they set forth on their own life-journeys. The same is true for Paul and the Ephesians. This scene is both heartbreaking and beautiful, as Paul’s disciples act on his reminder to give and let go rather than receive and hold on. Paul is crying too, and I can’t help but think that Paul is reminding himself of Jesus’ words as much as he is reminding his disciples: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ He will need to be reminded of Jesus’ words over and over as he continues on his perilous mission of spreading the message of God. It is a message of love and generosity, of selflessness and sacrifice, of giving not receiving. Dear God, thank you for giving the world your Son to teach us the way of selfless love. Help me to live by your example, be strengthened by the Spirit, and be generous even when it hurts.

–Mayme Baumann

MARCH 29

Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.

A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.

–Proverbs 11:24-25

!

I am continually amazed at the depths of these seemingly simple teachings called 'proverbs.' For those who are pressed for time, the message here is simple enough to understand with just a glance. Giving is good for you. Stinginess, not so much. So be generous! A good message, to be sure, but lingerers will find even more to chew on. So stick around for a while, and consider these questions: What is the significance of the verb 'grow' in the first line? There are lots of words that the author might have used here. These days, we talk about "getting" rich. To use the word 'grow' is to suggest a whole matrix of images that do not belong to the world of material riches: gardens, trees, vineyards, flowers . . . and yes, spirits. This word has to do with fruitfulness, vibrancy, and verdancy. Perhaps there is something to be said here about the connection between the practice of generosity and the spiritual growth of the giver? What does the author mean by 'what is due' in the second line? The first line speaks of giving freely, making us think that our generosity is an act of human freedom. As though we give what belongs to us out of the goodness of our hearts. But the second line implies that there are things which are due to our neighbor. Which means that the things we either give or withhold are not really our own. Not just in the sense that everything belongs to God, but in the more radical sense that some of what we think belongs to us really belongs to our neighbor. If we have plenty, and our neighbor is in need, for example, it is our duty to give to them. This is not so much a matter of human freedom as of divine commandment. Now that's something to consider! Not only does it challenge us to give more, but it also makes us think twice about patting ourselves on the back for doing something that we are supposed to be doing. How about 'one who gives water gets water'? As in, give a thirsty person a drink, and they will help you when you are thirsty? Or . . . is this about more than thirst? From water comes life and flourishing. From water comes blessing and refreshment. The first psalm declares that "blessed are those" whose delight is in the law of the Lord. "They shall be like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither." To be generous is, perhaps, to be like one of these trees. Blessed. Fruitful. Spiritually prosperous. Open my heart and hands, O God, that I may give freely and joyfully. Remind me that my wealth is not my own, any more than my life is my own. Amen.

–Jonathan Hauze

MARCH 30

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full.

–Proverbs 19:17 !

My son Connor is a big proponent of providing small loans to individuals in developing nations as a means of empowering people to take charge of their own lives, use their own talents and resources, and provide themselves with a dignified means to make a better world for themselves and their families. Connor introduced me to an organization called Kiva.org a few years ago. As a college student who was still pinching pennies Connor was able to provide hundreds of dollars in loans, some as the result of fund raising or his own contributions, but much by reinvesting his loan repayments into new loans for others. Kiva is not a faith based organization, but the concept is really appropriate for this scripture. Here’s how it works. Individuals and small collectives, generally in disadvantaged communities, apply for small loans in the amount of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Applicants have a business plan and a clear use for the money. I as an investor into Kiva can contribute money in increments of 25.00 towards a loan of my choice. As the recipient repays the loan a little at a time, I am notified, and the money goes back into my account, so that at some point I am repaid in full. I am now free to invest that money into a new loan, thereby helping to finance yet another person’s dream of self-determination. A bonus on this model – Because I have specifically chosen the loan beneficiary, I become invested in the recipient. I really root for this person to be successful, so that every time I am notified that a little of that loan has been repaid I rejoice; it is as if the entire loan has been repaid each time. So now, following Connor’s lead, I have become a Kiva investor. And I can say that although the money I have loaned is still in process of being repaid, nevertheless, I have been repaid in full. Lord – Thank you for your generosity and kindness to me. Help me to be generous and kind to others.

–Diane Battilana

MARCH 31

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,

thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.

–1 Timothy 6:18-19

!

In this section of Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul is instructing, and even warning Timothy and his contemporaries of the dangers of false worship of money. Earlier in the passage is the infamous ‘the love of money is the root of all evils’ line we often hear quoted. This is quite the challenge for us in our world where money in many ways is perceived as a route to security. This is something I get distracted with often as I think of my job and providing for my family. It is easy to fall into the trap of fixating on how much money we need to eat, pay for the house, to have health care, send the kids to college, take a vacation . . . the list can feel endless, and in focusing on it we miss out on much of the beauty of life. Thankfully God sent us Jesus not only as the savior of our world but to be a counselor for us to help us enjoy life and each other, and a visionary to show us what makes our world a better place. Jesus (and Paul) is trying to show us the endless pursuit of our own comfort in money (or worldly wealth/power) becomes so empty and it can hurt those around us. It brings worry, fear, selfishness and it can bring the worst out in all of us. Jesus and Paul want us to be kind and brave in shifting our focus from ourselves and our own comfort to making the world a better place because it is not only morally right, it is a more fulfilling way to live. They are imploring us to give it a try because they know it will result in a more rewarding life for us. Now Paul knows that this is not always easy because of the temptation of power and wealth and the false comfort money may bring in the short term. Paul acknowledges that to do this we need to ‘fight the good fight of faith.’ This self denial and focus on our neighbor’s well-being takes work and practice. It requires us to be very brave in the notion that God will provide if we shift our focus to generosity, kindness, and love. And I don’t think the instructions are to completely shun worldly things, as we need to function in our world. I see the instruction as a call to shift the focus from our own desire to have worldly wealth and comfort to a focus of making the world a better place for our neighbor. When we do this, good things happen. Dear God, help me to be brave in my faith that you will provide what we need to live fully if I focus on generosity. Help me to be thoughtful in my actions and how they impact my neighbor. Help me to let go of a fixation on worldly comforts so that I may live ‘the life that is really life.'

–Chris Baumann

APRIL 1 Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?

–Luke 16:10-12

! This teaching comes on the heels of a parable about a steward who, about to get the axe for squandering his master's property, saves his hide by dealing shrewdly (and forgivingly) with his master's debtors. The master is impressed, the steward keeps his job, and everybody is satisfied, especially the debtors who have settled their accounts at bargain basement prices. A strange parable, but full of good feeling, and with a happy ending to boot. But the text does not end on a light note. It ends with two "if" questions that are designed to give us pause. Are we faithful with our possessions? With our "dishonest" wealth? (This is not about having gotten our wealth by dishonest means. The Greek word is "unrighteous" and "unjust" and is probably meant to emphasize that money and possessions have no intrinsic value; they only have meaning insofar as we use them for particular ends.) Are we faithful with the small things that God has given to us to be responsible for? If you're like me, you have to answer, "Well, sometimes I am . . . " Which, to be honest, is not quite the answer Jesus is looking for. What then? What is a sinner to do? Jesus deftly re-directs our thinking away from ourselves and toward the only source of hope. These are not just "if" questions; they are also "who" questions. Who will entrust to us the true riches? Who will give us what is our own? The who that Jesus implies is, of course, God. And to incline our hearts to this Who is the beginning of our redemption, the beginning of our rebirth. Because it reminds us that everything we have in fact belongs to God, and not just everything we own, but everything that we are, everything that we ever will be. Once a body realizes this, it's awfully hard not to sing a song of thanksgiving. And it's awfully easy, when you're carried along by that song, to want to be faithful, which is all that it takes sometimes to change a life. Help me to keep my eyes on the prize, the true riches of your kingdom, so that I may never withhold anything that a neighbor needs, and so that I may ever come to know the joy of your presence.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 2

. . . for we walk by faith, not by sight.

–2 Corinthians 5:7

!

I regularly watch the nightly news and hear of horrific stories of war, local, national, and international violence, and I can’t imagine what makes people do such things. I fear that others watching will behave in a similar manner like we have seen in the past. Will violent acts happen to someone I love? I think that many people feel the same. How can we continue to live with such violence? How do young children view these common occurrences and how do they know right from wrong? The final piece of the nightly report takes such a pleasant turn and my heart is energized. If you are not familiar, they report on a variety of human interest stories called “Making a Difference.” Each person has identified a person or group who is troubled or events that cause pain to others and they act from their hearts, the kindness in their soul. These individuals are surely following the path of love and live life by faith as followers of Christ. They rejuvenate the human spirit. Faith gives meaning to the wrong-doings in life, and I know that looking for the light and glow of God’s light will give me direction to walk the path that He has laid out for me. Dear Lord, help me to see with my soul and follow the path for spreading love and kindness with you as the light that leads me.

–Fran Pluchino

APRIL 3

If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

–2 Timothy 2:13

! Paul is confident that he can count on God's faithfulness, no matter what. This seems to be more than confidence, more than hope. A better word is certainty. And Paul offers proof. Why can we count on God's faithfulness to us? Because God cannot deny himself. It seems a strange thing to speak of God being under any kind of obligation. Doesn't this deny the freedom of God? Is this not an assumption whose truth lies beyond human understanding? Paul might have said that we have every reason to believe that God will remain faithful. Or he might have said that it would be absurd for God to deny himself. But instead he chooses a statement that places an obligation on God. Why does he say this? How does he know? I think that Paul's certainty has to do with the understanding that "faithfulness" is more that just something that God does. In the Bible, from beginning to end, God is praised as the Holy One who "abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness." Faithfulness is part of who God is. It is a core reality of God's divinity and majesty. It belongs the bedrock of God's character. Without it, the identity of God makes no sense, as it is practically a part of the divine name. When we ponder God's covenant with us in these terms, we begin to see just how gracious this relationship is. Because we are forever struggling with faithfulness! If God was like us, the covenant would have been null and void a long time ago, and we would have little but hazy memories of an ancient blessing to hang our hopes on. As it is, we have so much more than distant memories. We have a living God, and a love that is still being poured out into our hearts, and a Spirit that is leading us into the future. Strengthen my heart, God of steadfast love and faithfulness, so that I affirm your goodness in everything that I say and do.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 4

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people.

–Proverbs 3:3-4

!

Here the daily human struggle to remain faithful comes alive. I mean that literally—the writer describes "loyalty and faithfulness" as though they are living, breathing things. In this case, things that are constantly trying to escape from us, as though we have brought a squirrel into the house and tried to make a pet out of it. Strange but effective. The message I get is that you really can't let these things out of your sight. As soon as you do, they will run out the door, and when that happens things do not go well for you. Instead of "favor and good repute" in the eyes of God and people, you will be the guy that nobody trusts. Not even to water the plants when the neighbors away. And that's not good. Once that bond is broken, it can take years to restore. One moment of distraction can lead to countless hours of trouble. The wise one will take precautions. Keep faithfulness and loyalty as close as possible. Make a necklace out of them, and adorn yourself in their beauty. But that's not enough. More specifically, that's not deep enough. Because faithfulness is not just an outward reality revealed in the things that you do, it is also an inward reality that has to do with the inclinations and desires of your heart. So don't just wear them on the outside of your life. Etch them into your heart. Carve them into the fabric of your soul. Let them become a part of you. Let them shape and inspire your life from the inside out. If this metaphor seems too vague, I think I can put it more simply. Here faithfulness is specifically related to the law of God, the word of God. So this is about keeping your eyes on the path that God has set before us, the path of love and service, the path of neighborly generosity and humble thanksgiving. The one who keeps this word forever in sight, forever on the heart, will be blessed. More importantly, perhaps, she will be a blessing. Keep me awake and attentive, O God, to the beauty of your word and loveliness of your law, that I may never let them out of my heart and mind.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 5

When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced,

and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion . . .

–Acts 11:23 !

Barnabas has just arrived in Antioch, where the seed of the gospel has brought in a bountiful harvest of new believers. The community has grown by leaps and bounds, practically overnight, and Barnabas sees that this is God's grace at work. I love the way that this is written, because it almost sounds as though the new community of disciples is the grace of God. Which, in a sense, it is, having come into being through an act of grace, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Barnabas knows a thing or two about the Spirit—according to this passage, he's full of it. It's a shame that he didn't write any letters, or that none of his letters were preserved for posterity. I have a feeling that his personality was quite different from Paul's. Paul could be pretty hard-edged and polemical. But I get the idea that Barnabas was more merry, that he probably laughed a lot. Just the way that Luke (the author of Acts) describes him here as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" paints the picture of a person that you would want to know, a person who gives courage and joy to those who are around him. The name Barnabas means "son of encouragement," and I think that he came by his name honestly. It's interesting that Luke chooses this moment to describe Barnabas' personality. I wonder if this is a deliberate way of connecting the apostle's exhortation "to remain faithful to the Lord" with the apostle's own character. Maybe this is one reason why "a great many people were brought to the Lord" in Antioch, because the messenger was wholehearted and genuine, not just a messenger but a model of faithfulness. I would like to be like Barnabas. If, at the end of my life, this was all that could be said of me—"he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith"—it would be enough. As for right now, if somebody tells me that I'm full of it, I'm going to have to ask them to be more specific. Fill me with your Spirit, O God, and with the faith that is born of your grace. Move through me, despite my imperfections, so that your goodness may shine on others and give them cause for rejoicing.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 6

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield,

full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.

–James 3:17

!

This section of The Letter of James begins: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom." Which means, essentially, "If you claim to be wise, prove it by your goodness and your gentleness." Here James hearkens back to the ancient Hebrew wisdom literature that connects true knowledge with right action. Wisdom, in the Bible, is not about what you know intellectually, but about what you do ethically. For James, writing in the Christian tradition, there is an added dimension: gentleness. Christians model their lives on Jesus, who rejected the power plays of human life by repudiating the use of force and proclaiming the good news of the forgiveness of sins. It's much easier to practice these teachings—to "yield" to another—when dealing with abstractions. It is one thing to be able to summon a gentle and charitable attitude toward a person you don't really know. We can give strangers the benefit of the doubt: "I'm sure he meant well, so I'm going to let it go." But it's another thing, arguably a much harder thing, to do this in the crucible of intimate human relationships. The better we know others, and they us, the more vulnerable we are to one another. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses. And we are acutely aware of this mutual knowledge. So it becomes much easier, and more tempting, to say, "Well, I'm not going to yield, because he's just doing this to stick it to me." A road that leads to partiality and hypocrisy, among other things. What's the answer? Well, I'm afraid the only way is to make a conscious decision, again and again, to forswear this way of thinking. It's for our own good. That's the sad thing, that we usually justify our stubbornness by saying that by yielding we would be giving up our right to feel aggrieved. When in reality we are binding ourselves with shackles of our own construction, allowing ourselves to be ruled by our anger, by a misconception of power, by a desire to dominate and win over others. Jesus calls us out of this prison, and into a new and more rewarding life that is not determined by the "rules of the game" that we think we're playing. As Ursula Le Guin writes in one of her novels, “His gentleness was uncompromising; because he would not compete for dominance, he was indomitable.” God of forgiveness, help me to choose the way of Jesus. When I begin to think too much of myself, take me down a peg or two. When I dig in my feet for no good reason besides my own pride, send a banana peel to remind me that I'm not all that.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 7

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

–Proverbs 15:1 !

This is such an easy message to understand, but one that is hard to live. In our busy and sometimes stressful lives it is easy to be interrupted with someone who asks for help. It is hard to respond in a quiet, calm manner when this causes you to stray from your goals. Yet, our response is key to how others react. Over the past 20 plus years I have educated individuals who care for frail older adults. One of my programs is how to care for people with Dementia. In my classes, I try to help the students see the world these patients live in. Their world is one where spoken words and fast-paced actions are misunderstood resulting in their sometimes unusual behaviors and actions. For example, if approached too quickly by one or more people who are trying to rush to get their work done, they startle and attempt to protect themselves by calling out, or swinging their arms to hurt those approaching. Loud voices or loud noises of any kind will cause similar reactions. I encouraged my student to speak in soft, calming voices and use a slow approach and gentle touch. The results are always positive. This passage reminds me so much of how we need to act not only with these frail, confused and needy individuals, but to others we are in daily contact. The actions we take with others in our world will have similar positive or negative reactions as those patient’s with Dementia. If we speak calmly and softly people will respond in like reaction. The phrase “actions speak louder than words” are never more true. God, give me patience to listen to others and help me to use calming words and react peacefully when life becomes stressful and I may feel out of control.

–Fran Pluchino

APRIL 8 My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

–Galatians 6:1 !

When I first started meditating on this text, I kept thinking of a phrase from Colossians, which may or may not have been written by Paul, in which the writer instructs his readers to "teach and admonish one another in all wisdom." Which in turn reminded me of a quote from 1 Thessalonians that gets quoted in the ordination liturgy for ministers, in which we are charged to "admonish the idlers." The problem for me is that I'm just as uncomfortable with admonishing as I am with being admonished. Plus, it doesn't really preach. I'm just imagining how a sixth grader might respond to such a sermon, daydreaming about all of the "transgressors" he has good reason to admonish in school tomorrow. (And let's be honest, sixth graders are not the only ones capable of taking it there.) But this verse is different. An interesting thing to note, given that when Paul writes to the Galatians he is not exactly happy. (The letter begins with Paul losing his cool: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?!") Here Paul seems to have taken a few breaths and remembered whom he's supposed to represent, and whose Spirit he has received. And this leads to a teaching that is shaped by grace rather than anger. It acknowledges the reality of sin in the Christian community, noting that if you spend any time together with other people you are bound to detect a few transgressions, not only in the hurt that people cause themselves but in the hurt that they inflict upon one another. So how should we deal with this? The answer here is better than admonishment. First, remember that you have received the Spirit of Christ, which is a spirit of peace and gentleness. Then, act to restore this person. Restore. What a word! In the Greek, it has to do with making something complete and perfect. Here I think it has as much to do with the community as it does with the individual. Meaning that the goal is reconciliation, healing, communion. This understanding changes the way that we relate to one another. We are not "transgressors" and "transgressees" (okay, maybe I just made up that word). Instead, we are "members of one another" (to use another phrase of Paul's), brothers and sisters who belong to one body where the joy of one is the joy of all, and the sorrow of one is the sorrow of all. Where to start? Maybe, instead of "Here's what you did wrong," we might begin by simply praying for one another, remembering that we have all received the same Spirit, which is a spirit of grace. Holy God, deliver me from pride, and save me from self-righteousness. Not for my own sake, but for the sake of Christ's body, so that I can respond to my brothers and sisters in ways that help to build up the body in love.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 9

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

–Matthew 11:29

!

The word yoke comes with the image of a heavy burden to be worn around our necks as we do hard labor. But Jesus doesn’t want to burden us with work as much as he wants us to learn. The word learn carries its own image. Anyone who has been a student has encountered many types of teachers, and the kind of teacher we have affects what we learn. Why else are we so compelled to ask the question, “Which teacher did you get?” to every child we see at the end of the summer before the new school year starts? There are teachers to be hoped-for and teachers to be feared! Jesus doesn’t want to be that fear-inducing “old-school” tough teacher who will burden us with anxiety and a heavy workload--that is SO Old Testament. Jesus teaches us a new way. Jesus’ teaching style is kind and gentle and humble. In his gentle style of teaching, he teaches us to be gentle with each other and ourselves. He encourages us to ask questions, and is patient with us when we don’t understand the answers. He is humble, and teaches us to be humble too. We can find comfort in knowing that God does not expect us to know, but to be willing to learn. It is a lifelong process and we will make many mistakes along the way. Jesus assures us that he is there for us as a gentle guide, not a giver of punishment. The reading continues, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” If we let ourselves be willing students, we can learn the way of Christ and find rest for our souls. Dear God, help me to be your willing student. I have a lot to learn, but I am thankful for your gentle way of teaching me.

–Mayme Baumann

APRIL 10

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

–Matthew 5:5

! Modern attitudes about meekness generally fall somewhere on the spectrum between a disdainful "Why?" and a disbelieving "Yeah, right." I often wonder if the problem—the chasm between Jesus' words and our understanding on this point—has to do with our (mistaken?) assumptions about what meekness is really about. We associate it with being soft. And for those of us who are concerned about the power dynamics in human systems we know that there are problems with being soft. Poets and prophets teach us that this can easily become a tool for oppression. Consider Langston Hughes of the Harlem Renaissance, whose poem "Warning" begins with the racist prejudices of a Jim Crow world and ends on an world-shaking note:

Negroes, Sweet and docile, Meek, humble and kind: Beware the day They change their mind! Wind In the cotton fields, Gentle Breeze: Beware the hour It uproots trees!

I love the way that Hughes plays with the meaning of gentleness/meekness here. His people are expected to be meek, which implies passivity and non-resistance. But the Wind, the Gentle Breeze, blows in a different direction. The Spirit of God is gentle, but it is not soft or passive. Anything but! It uproots trees. It brings new things into being. It overturns injustice. This Wind is the breath of the God who frees slaves and gives to them a promised land. To place the human conception of "meekness" and "gentleness" in opposition to God's compassion for the oppressed, and God's desire for justice, is to miss the point entirely. I don't often turn to Aristotle for help in making things more clear, but here it might be helpful. The word that Jesus uses for "meek" is the same word that Aristotle used in his Ethics to describe the virtue of a person who "feels anger on proper occasions, at proper persons, and besides in a proper manner, at proper times, and for a proper length of time." We should consider the possibility that Jesus is drawing on this idea, inviting us not to be pushovers but to be passionate about well-being of all of God's children, and to be sure that we are always striving to stand with the oppressed and the lowly of our world. God, forgive me for the times I have failed to speak and act out against injustice. Help me to care more deeply about the things and people that are close to your heart.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 11 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.

–1 Corinthians 9:24-27 !

Who knew Paul was so competitive? Forget about the Olympic spirit, in which even a bronze medal is a great joy, in which simply competing is an honor. Paul only has eyes for gold. The irony here, of course, is that the true prize, the imperishable garland, is intended for a whole people, not just one person. But Paul invites the people in Corinth, athletics nuts who would have loved ESPN if they could have gotten it, to consider that the Christian life demands the same kind of seriousness and preparation as a marathon. Or, curiously, a heavyweight title match. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! Except maybe not so much with the stinging. The athletic metaphor doesn't always translate. Especially if we're thinking about the "rat race" as a symbol for the drudgery of modern life. But Paul is not talking about an alley race between rats, in which the prize is a rotten piece of trash. No, we should be thinking about the Boston Marathon. Or the Tour de France. This is a race for glory, honor, joy. And it's a very long race, so self-control is important. Too much Ben & Jerry's, and we'll never going to make it up Heartbreak Hill. Too few training miles, and we'll fizzle out before the finish line. Sometimes self-control seems like a downer. It certainly doesn't sound like fun. "You enjoy your funnel cake; I'm going to have this apple." Paul doesn't help us out here when he talks about punishing and enslaving his body. (I'm not sure that Paul had the healthiest view of the human body, but that's another reflection for another day.) But I don't see Paul preaching asceticism for its own sake. He is also a teacher of love and joy. His focus, which he wants us to share with him, is ultimately on the joy of the race. I am reminded of the words spoken by Eric Liddell, the great Scottish runner and the son of missionaries, in Chariots of Fire: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.” This is a prize that we can win in this life, to feel the pleasure of God, and the joy of Christ, in the midst of our lives. And so we try to control ourselves so that the Spirit can move freely within us. God, help me to approach my spiritual life with care and thoughtfulness. When I lose sight of the goal, and wander about aimlessly, put me back on track and give me the strength to go the distance.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 12

. . . for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

–2 Timothy 1:7

!

Reading the Sunday paper a few weeks ago I came across a picture that included a hand-made sign containing the following quote.

The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. –Elie Wiesel

That quote has really struck a nerve with me as it seems as appropriate today as 75 years ago, or two thousand years ago. Elie Wiesel spoke those words in response to the Holocaust. Yes, it was the Nazis who slaughtered innocents, but it was the indifference of a nation of people, and, in fact, the indifference of the entire world, that allowed it to happen. And if I really think about it, I must concede that I continue to struggle with indifference.

I look away when I see a person with a sign that says ‘Three Children, No Job.’ I have a momentary feeling of guilt and compassion but I really don’t want to give this person money; maybe it’s a scam. As I move away my thoughts are on the errand that I need to run.

Lord – Help me to act in a spirit of power and love in support of the stranger at my door.

I listen to NPR these days and hear about genocide in Syria and famine in the Sudan; and I hear that we as a self-proclaimed Christian nation would seek to ban, or at the very least, seriously limit the acceptance of refugees from these countries. Yet I have not raised my voice in protest.

Lord – Help me to act in a spirit of power and love in solidarity with the refugee at my door.

As I have struggled with the aftermath and repercussions of this year’s election, I have also hunkered down in my own beliefs, not really able to listen and understand why someone could not see things the way I see them. I’d like to understand other points of view but perhaps I’m not really interested in walking in their shoes.

Lord – Help me to act in a spirit of power and love in understanding the neighbor at my door.

If I am uncaring to the needs of others, it is the opposite of love.

If I am unsympathetic to the refugee, to the outcast, it is the opposite of love.

And if I am disinterested in understanding my fellow neighbor, it is the opposite of love.

We think of love as being gentle and patient and kind, but God commands that we be fearless and powerful in our love; it is love embodied not merely in emotion, but in action.

–Diane Battilana

APRIL 13

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

–Proverbs 16:32

!

We find the following dialogue in the Apophthegmata Patrum, an ancient collection of Christian writings also known as the Sayings of the Desert Fathers:

A brother asked Abba Isidore the priest, "Why are the demons so frightened of you?" The old man said to him, "Because, ever since the day I began practicing ascesis, I have striven to prevent anger from reaching my lips.

Notice that Abba Isidore doesn't say that that he has always succeeded. His striving alone is enough to make the demons afraid. Now I'm guessing that good old Isidore doesn't look like a very strong guy. He probably can't even bench press a hundred. And it's not just his paltry physique. He doesn't even have a decent job. No money. No car. No power suit. He has no idea what the Dow Jones is. He doesn't talk politics. He spends all of his time in a little cell that he doesn't even own. He is not mighty. He captures no cities. In the terms of our society, he's a loser. But the demons are frightened of him. Why? Because he is the master of another world. He has devoted his life to prayer. He has set his heart and mind on the kingdom of heaven. He knows, as James knew (James 1:20), that his anger will not produce God's righteousness. So he bends his will to the mastery of his anger, knowing that his true life is in Christ. He knows, as Paul knew (Galatiasns 2:20), that it is no longer he who lives, but Christ who lives in him. This knowledge makes him a greater conqueror than Alexander or Caesar, and a mightier warrior than Achilles or Attila. Do we take prayer this seriously? Do we realize how important it is to strive in such a way? If we have read this proverb as a quaint piece of folk wisdom, like an ancient Poor Richard's Almanac, Isidore invites us to take another look, and to consider that the inner life is where the real victories are won—or too often, lost. Once anger reaches our lips, it has become our master. And that doesn't make the demons afraid; it makes them smile. God, help me to pray without ceasing, so that I may never speak without thinking, and so that, when I do speak, my words may be true to the gentle silence of your presence.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 14

Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around,

looking for someone to devour.

–1 Peter 5:8 !

Periodically you'll hear about a big cat being seen roaming around town. MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING IN SOUTH JERSEY! That headline was from last fall. This happened once when I was a kid. It was in the days before people had phones with cameras, so there was no visual evidence to back up the story, but the rumor was enough to strike fear into the heart of this mild-mannered suburban kid. Huckleberry Finn I am not. He probably would've gone out with a slingshot, looking for adventure. I took it as an opportunity to become better acquainted with the afternoon TV lineup. How many episodes of the Munsters have you seen? Not as many as me, I'll wager. But I digress. My point is that even the rumor of a puma (say that five times fast) is enough to rattle us, while the very real and ever present threat that Peter is talking about doesn't seem to trouble us in the least. This whole section of Peter's letter is about exercising humility in our relationships with each other. But who among us has said, "You know, I'd better be careful when I go outside today, because I know that pride has awfully sharp teeth, and I don't want to be bitten." The truth is that it's a jungle out there. Wherever we go, there are temptations to exalt ourselves and serve ourselves. Pride is always lurking just around the corner. "What's in it for me?" "Who does he think he is?" "Why should I be kind, when she's not kind to me?" "Thank God I'm not like that guy." "Why serve when I could be served?" When we're inattentive, we don't even realize that it's happening. But Peter suggests that those who pay attention—which has a lot to do with prayer—will hear the roaring from a mile away. What to do then? Probably better to be less like me, and more like Huck. Don't cower and hide yourself away. Pick up your slingshot—Paul says, "put on the full armor of God—and head out the door. Life is a jungle, but you're not alone out there. Almighty God, awaken me to the real landscape of the spiritual world, so that I may both avoid the prowling lions and find my way to the holy mountain where all of your children gather in peace, singing songs of praise to you alone, pride in you alone.

–Jonathan Hauze

APRIL 15 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.

–James 3:7-10

!

I heard last week that my high school gym teacher passed away. I felt sad for her kids and her husband, of course, but the primary emotion I felt was a sharp spasm of remorse. People who know me as an adult may be surprised to hear it, but I had quite a mouth on me as a teenager, and Mrs. Giovannangeli was frequently on the receiving end of my sass. It will surprise nobody that I disliked gym class. In fact, Mrs. Gio awarded me the lowest grade of my entire school career in my sophomore year. But rather than suffering in silence, I was often the kid complaining, making disrespectful comments, and just generally being obnoxious. I earned that grade. When I remember that year, I cringe. I wish I could go back and unsay those things, or at least apologize for them. As an adult, I keep my tongue in check fairly well, but there are still moments I wish I could rewind. Have you ever had one of those moments where you wish you could take back the words right as they're coming out of your mouth? My tongue is forming the words while my brain is saying "no, wait, don't say that! Yikes!" My best strategy for taming my tongue has always been slowing down. Stop, think, don't say anything. Look at the person I'm about to speak to, remember that we are all children of God. Take a few deep breaths. Pull that filter back into place. Pray. Remember Mrs. Giovannangeli and get my tongue under control. God, your love is for all people. Help me to speak in love, to bless others as I bless you. Amen.

–Liza Hauze

APRIL 16—EASTER SUNDAY Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: "Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God."

–Jeremiah 31:4-6 !

Solomon said, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." But David cried, "How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself for ever?" Jesus said, " So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." But Mary cried, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." For three days the word was silent. But out of the silence, an ancient promise arose in the very depths of the earth . . . "Again I will build you . . ." "Again you shall dance . . ." "Again you shall plant . . ." "There shall be a day . . ." Suddenly God said, "Behold, I am doing a new thing!" And the stone was rolled away. And the light poured in. And our hearts sang. And no one will take our joy from us.

–Jonathan Hauze