Today’s Reflection
JESUS NOT ONLY firmly maintained his own freedom of choice but also respected the free choice of others. When the rich young man turned sorrowfully away from the invitation to be Jesus’ disciple, Jesus grieved because he had loved this man. But Jesus did not run after him pleading and pushing. He rebuked the disciples when they wanted to call down vengeful fire from heaven on the towns that did not welcome them. When Martha of Bethany asked Jesus to make her sister, Mary, come back into the kitchen and cook, Jesus defended Mary’s decision to stay with him and talk. It is significant that though he preferred Mary’s choice, he did not compel Martha to make the same decision.
- Flora Slosson Wuellner
Enter by the Gate
From page 51 of Enter by the Gate: Jesus’ 7 Guidelines When Making Hard Choices by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 2004 by Flora Slosson Wuellner. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
What challenges do you face respecting another person’s choices? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today…
1 Kings 8:28, NRSV
This Week: pray for returning students and teachers. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section below.
Did You Know?
Heart Whispers offers accessible insights from Benedictine spirituality to help us explore the need for faithful living in today’s often stress-filled world.
Saints, Inc.:
This week we remember John the Baptist (August 29).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The season of returning to school is here for some, not so far away for others. I pray for all with a connection to school – students – teachers – administrators and support staff – parents. I pray especially for peace in schools that the violence we have seen in recent years will end. I pray that students can learn and succeed in life for education makes many positive opportunities possible. In a time of funding cuts, a reduction in the number of teachers, focus on teacher competence and performance based on test scores, and pension cuts the entire education field is in turmoil. Lord with your wisdom and guidance may the problems faced by all in education find solutions. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
It is very hard to see your own family members reject faith in God. Baptized, raised in church, and confirmed they no longer go to church and have rejected the teaching they received.
Robert – thanks so much for your thoughts on school…indeed there is a problem with school funding and new expectations that will be placed on teachers. I join you in your prayer.
My reaction to the reading above is that I am often too comfortable with peoples’ choices and reluctant to speak up with urgency. I think that there is opportunity for me to share my view in a better way – and then let the Spirit work with the recipient.
I have difficulty accepting the things I cannot change–watching my son destroy himself through addiction. And yet turning from God is eternal destruction without immediate visible results.
All Christian people have an obligation to do anything and everything possible to make life livable for those of us who are considered to be something less than fully human!
Lord, we pray for all those who are returning to school — both educators and students. We pray for college students who may be struggling with being away from home for the first time. We pray for your blessings and protection for teachers and students.
And loving God, help us not to give up on those who seem to have given up on you. Help us continue to love them and pray for them, trusting that in your time, our loved ones will meet the right people and come back to you. For those struggling with addiction this day, we pray. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Thank you, God, for your everlasting, unconditional love. Amen.