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| p4. April 25-30 Covenant: April 25. They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, �Peace, peace,� when there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14). Just as women have been placated when questioning their traditional roles, we have been advised �not to make a big deal� of the way we have been treated. But as every emerging cause reminds us, peace without justice is still violence. Dear God, �from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely� (Jeremiah 6:13). Give us the passion to speak the truth. April 26. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24). Sometimes we come to an oasis in the wilderness on our way to the Promised Land, and we are hesitant to go on. The oasis may be a home with a lover, or an accepting congregation, or a comfortable job. We settle for less than the Promised Land because we, at least, have what we want. Yet none of us are free until all of us are free. We cannot confuse a sojourn with our destination; we cannot confuse an oasis with the Promised Land. We journey with the lover, the congregation, and the job, but our journey toward justice for all continues. We may occasionally enjoy the mirage of �having arrived,� but we do not quit till �justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream.� As we travel with you in the wilderness, Holy Spirit, thank you for the occasional oasis and the eventual Land of Promise. April 27. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. �Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?� The lawyer said, �The one who showed him mercy.� Jesus said to him, �Go and do likewise (Luke 10:36-37). Jesus, lead us to risk our comfort to comfort others. April 28. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3). No matter how much we sacrifice, no matter for what good cause- even justice- if we do so without love we �gain nothing.� Love is its own reward. We do not love to gain materially. We actually may lose things for love. We do not love to gain God�s love- that�s ours already. We do not love as life insurance, for love may require risking our lives. Transform my sacrifice, God of love, into an offering pleasing to all. April 29. If one offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned (Song of Solomon 8:7). Some of us have tried to buy love, either for the night or for a lifetime. But love is a work of the Spirit, a gift of grace that we can neither demand nor expect. Just as placing ourselves close to a neighbor or a cause may move us to compassion, so allowing someone close to us may prompt love. The wealth we have to share is within us. Our big fear is that we are not inwardly wealthy. We cover our imagined emptiness inside with bravado, with show, with attitude. Yet poverty, rather than wealth, is spiritually valuable. Vulnerably sharing our poverty with another person, we discover how much we have to offer. Our own cupboards may not be as bare as we think. April 30. She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground (2 Kings 4:18-37). God works through others. When God sends ministering angels to help us, they are likely to look like the person next door. So when in the depths you cry out for help, do not watch heaven for relief, but for someone at your level. God, never let me miss out on your help by overlooking your humble helpers. Amen. |
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