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| p4. May 25-31 Community: May 25. It�s None of My Business What You Think of Me! Do not give heed to everything that people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you; your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others (Ecclesiastes 7:21). We sometimes care too much about what other people think or say about us, and so we can be manipulated. This proverb offers perspective by reminding us that we also say things in the heat of the moment not intended for another�s hearing. Help me listen to your blessing, O God, rather than another�s curse. May 26. Jesus said, �But strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, �(Matthew 6:24-34). Jesus is trying to get our focus off of our fears and onto the God whose compassionate presence reminds us that we are never alone in our struggles. It may seem as if we don�t always receive what we need to live. There are times of intense loss and places of absolute poverty (and yes there is much poverty in the USA too). I think Jesus is encouraging us to hold onto our trust and look for the presence of God no matter what. Often the way God�s presence is made most clearly known is through the compassionate acts of God�s people. You, O Lord, are the answer to every longing. Let me look to you in all things. Amen. May 27. The community to which God invites us includes our enemies. Sometimes our �enemies� are members of our own family. The BBC televised a mini-series entitled �Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,� based on the novel. It�s the coming of age story of a young lesbian reared in a restrictive religious environment. Though emotionally bruised by their rigidity and an attempted �exorcism,� she began to forgive them on a return visit, graciously accepting their hesitant hospitality. In finding a place in our families, many of us show similar mercy. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5). May 28. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). You�ll get better results with honey than with vinegar. May 29. A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22). A scene in Mary Poppins demonstrates the lift that laughter brings our souls. The nanny takes the children to see a character, played by Ed Wynn, whose laughter makes him float. We value laughter in our community. It has been an antidote to pain, a means of gaining acceptance, a method of keeping perspective, a way of keeping healthy. We know that a gay party is likely to be just that- gay. Dear God, thanks for cheerful hearts and happy laughter! May 30. �Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty� In time of heat my companions disappear� You see my calamity, and are afraid (Job 6:14, 17, 21). Being in community means being there in sickness as well as health. With AIDS, many in the gay and lesbian community can truly say, �Been there! Done that!� And those gays and lesbians are still doing that not just for gay men, but for the whole AIDS community. Inspire us to never withhold kindness from our neighbors, all of whom you have told us to love as we love ourselves. May 31. And whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul would be relieved and feel better, and the evil spirit would depart from him (1 Samuel 16:23). Scripture says that the spirit of God was taken from Saul. What if this happened to you or me? What was the evil spirit? Clinical depression? Mental illness? Disease? Complications of old age? Senility? Or was it unrequited love? Our community has many people like Saul who suffer for such reasons. We cannot abandon them. As David did with music, we may find ways to alleviate their loneliness and anguish. Lord, bless all who suffer anguish with those who offer solace. |
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