St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

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Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions by parishioners of St. Matthew's. Currently following the lectionary found here.

Friday, 03/16/12

Friday, March 16, 2012

Gospel: Mark 6:47-56

Old Testament: Genesis 47:1-26

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27

Psalms: 88, 91, 92

Beneath my oddly outgoing, obnoxious exterior beats the heart of a math nerd. I recently confused November for February because both are 2 months away from the turn of the New Year. Everyone does that… right?

This past December a group of teens and adults went to a park in DC to deliver lunches and hygienic kits to homeless people. Twenty-one of us served forty people, all in about two hours. One group talked to a man for almost half an hour, just sharing in his life.

My group saw a man who was walking around and yelling at no one in particular. He seemed downright crazy, and no one wanted to go up and offer him a lunch. Later, we saw the same man sitting on a bench, and we finally got up the nerve to offer him a meal. We talked to him for twenty minutes, and we found out he worked as a poet and comedian. By doing that in the colder months, he gets coffee and hot chocolate for others in the park. His yelling was actually him putting on his show, and one of the teens even asked for some of the poems that he had written.

In a week’s time, I have 168 hours to spend. By spending only 2 of those hours, I was changed, and I served God. That wasn’t very much of my time, just 1.2% of my day.

A few years ago, the St. Matthew’s Youth Group made a Lenten commitment to do one act of kindness a day. Some gave cookies to others on the school bus. Some complimented a hurting friend, or an outcast. Each person who did this spent about 10 minutes a day and came away feeling differently about themselves, their classmates, and the great work God can do through each of us. The cost to them? Only about .7% of their day.

How will you spend .7% of your day for God?

TEL

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Thursday, 03/15/12

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Gospel: Mark 6:30-46

Old Testament: Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 9:1-15

Psalms: 42, 43, 85, 86

There is nothing I take more pleasure in than seeing my knowledge passed down to a younger generation. Granted I am only a senior in high school, but three years ago, when I had the chance to coach my brother’s flag football team, I had the opportunity to spread my passion for football, a game I had come to love at a very young age. This was something I was excited to share.

I was coaching 4^th and 5^th grade boys who were eager to play the game of football. It was my first time coaching anything, but I knew that if there was anything I could teach, it was football. I still remember the faces of all the kids, but one in particular made a huge impact on me. His name was Ian. He was one of our last draft picks, one of the shortest kids in the league, and had never played football in his life. However, his enthusiasm for learning was contagious. Every time I coached him up in practice, I could see that he was absorbing my every word and trying to become a better player; and every week he got better and better! At first, the other teams only saw his size and underestimated his ability. Well, he went on to become our best player and the face of the team.

That year we went 10-2, falling short of winning the championship, giving up the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the game. I was heartbroken, shocked that a team this special wasn’t going to win the championship. I wanted it badly, not just for myself, but for my players as well. Seeing the tears in their eyes, I could tell that they cared just as much as I did. After the game, we shared a special moment: my players signed one of our jerseys and gave it to me. As I held the jersey in front of all the parents and players, a few tears came out. A simple jersey with 7 names on it wouldn’t seem too special to most people, but to me, it meant the world. It showed me that I had really made an impact on all of their lives. Unlike Jesus in today’s reading in Mark 6, I didn’t feed 5,000, but I did touch the lives of 7 wonderful boys, and that’s something I’ll hold onto forever.

CPB

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Wednesday, 03/14/12

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Old Testament: Genesis 45:16-28

Psalms: 119:97-120,81, 82

Gospel: Mark 6:13-29

“...We know that all of us possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if one loves God, one is known by him.” Corinthians 8:1-3

When I was in high school, I used to have a poster hanging on the wall in my bedroom that said: “those who think they know it all, are very annoying to those of us who do.” How wonderful it was back then to be a teenager and to be so completely confident and sure about everything and everyone! Then, as I grew older, and I read more, studied more, worked more, listened more, and failed more, it became clear that I did not have all the answers after all. In fact, I wasn’t even asking the right questions.

What’s great about this bible verse is that it so accurately reflects society’s view of knowledge, that having instant answers for everything (or at least being able to Google for them) is deemed to be the most valuable commodity on earth - often perceived as the equivalent of having “god-like” powers (so long as we remember to charge our cell phones). Indeed, we live in the Information Age, and we are no longer using the “gold standard.” But with all of our science and technological wonders, man has no perfect search engine for love.

Even when our quest for knowledge coincides with appreciating and loving God and all of His creation, the improved scientific understand ing remains dwarfed by the incredible and unconditional love that has been made available to us through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I am truly grateful that the Bible helps me to stay focused on asking the right questions.

PES

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Tuesday, 03/13/12

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Old Testament: Genesis 45:1-15

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:32-40

Psalms: 78:1-39, 78:40-72

Gospel: Mark 6:1-13

“And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.” Genesis 45:15

Joseph’s brothers believed that Joseph was dead for many years. They also lived with the guilt of thinking they were responsible for Joseph’s death and the shame of what they had done. But Joseph totally forgives them, and they all rejoice in the reunion.

I can only begin to imagine how I would feel if a cherished, loved one, whom I believed to be dead for many years, was discovered to be alive. After years of feeling the pain and emptiness of death, I’m not sure I would believe it at first. After the disbelief, I would probably be in shock and feel indescribable joy and love. A heart so full it might explode with joy.

If someone I cared about deeply were to come back into my life, my feelings would be intense and overpowering. And if I’m capable of such love, how much more does God rejoice when one of his loved
ones comes back to him.

Reading these verses made me think about the hugeness of God’s love and forgiveness. When a single person comes back to Him, God joyfully rejoices for that reunion. Sometimes I forget that God sees and loves us as the unique individuals he created us to be.

We aren’t just one of millions; God sees each one of us as special and beloved. I need to remember this to help me think of people as individuals. I need to think of each person whether I’m providing food for LINK and Backpacks or praying for people on the prayer list. Whether I actually know the person or not, thinking of people as individuals helps create a connection that involves my heart, not just my mind, my actions, and my money. And it’s through these connections that God changes my heart.

SKR

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Monday, 03/12/12

Monday, March 12, 2012

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

Old Testament: Genesis 44:18-34

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Psalms: 80, 77, 79

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

“Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine;

and we shall be saved.”

(Psalm 80:3,7)

My grandmother is very special; my mom says she is an angel – she can turn a simple story into a magical fairy tale, loves animals and nature, and has captivated the hearts of people around her. A couple of weeks before this past Christmas, she fell and broke her leg and shoulder, putting her in the hospital for over a month. Due to her age, it has been anything but an easy recovery – for all of us. Watching her deal with the pain and helping my grandfather cope have put all of us on an emotionally exhausting roller-coaster ride of tears, hope, and faith. Personally, it has shown me how to recognize God, helped me grow in my faith, brought me closer to family, and taught me how to find God in difficult times.

I found God in the giving nature of Caden, our five year old son. His excitement in creating a card for Grandma and buying her flowers compares to his excitement before a trip to an amusement park. I know God was present the day we visited her with Caden. Her happiness matched his eagerness as he climbed onto her bed, gave her a huge hug, and recited the (newly memorized) Lord’s Prayer for her.

I found God in community. Many friends from my grandparents’ community and church have helped them, prayed with them, brought food, and spent time with them. When we visited her, friends of hers came by every few hours – their concern and love for her so visible.

I found God in the present moment. Through this experience, and in spite of recently increased work responsibilities, I have learned to put life into perspective. I’ve found the strength to prioritize my time and focus on what is important – my family.

I now make a conscious effort to enjoy the present moment, smile when my kids laugh, soak up their sweet scents and innocent perspectives on life, and I pray that someday I may share Caden’s
crazy enthusiasm around gift-giving.

ALL

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Sunday, 03/11/12

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Psalms: 93, 96, 34

New Testament: Romans 8:1-10

Old Testament: Genesis 44:1-17

Gospel: John 5:25-29

I think we all have songs that at some point had special meaning in our lives. Perhaps it was a song from a first date or a song with a powerful message that just resonated in our minds. For me, I particularly remember Bridge Over Troubled Waters, by Simon and Garfunkel, from back around 1971 when the Vietnam War was in full fury. The ethereal melody of that song and the poignant words promising to always be there to help and support another person seemed to promise that there could still be a better world. I still enjoy that song, no matter who sings it, and will turn it up when I hear it on the radio.

Songs can relate many different stories. Often, they can present a message that brings joy to the heart of the listener. Sometimes they just relate difficult times in someone’s life and ease the suffering by sharing the hurt with another soul. When you hear your special song don’t you feel an emotional tug and a sense of gladness that someone shared that message with you?

Think for a moment about the songs we raise to the Lord. Of course we have the usual powerful hymns sung as we celebrate the various seasons of the year. There is comfort in those familiar tunes and verses. But those little ditties we remember and hum at times or new prayers we send to God are also songs. Don’t you think He loves to hear from us whenever we want to share our joy and sorrows? I like to think He sings along with us.

My suggestion: Sing to the Lord a new song.

DJB

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

Saturday, 03/10/12

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Psalms: 75, 76, 23, 27

Old Testament: Genesis 43:16-34

New Testament: 1 Corinthians 7:10-24

Gospel: Mark 5:1-20

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me...”

(Psalm23:4 King James)

Life is a journey that we all undertake. The difference is that we, as Christians, never take it alone. God is ever present and travels with us. His presence can be known through the people He brings into our lives. At this stage of my life, God is showing me, every day, that He is with me. He shows me through the people He has brought into my life – the my Saint Matthew’s family.

You have provided me with support in the form of prayers, visits, smiles, hugs, cards (that seem to arrive just when I really need them), and by running errands, driving me to appointments, to WATCH and church, and bringing communion to me. Right now, a very visible piece of evidence is a colorful blanket that I keep on my bed. It was made for me by a young parishioner as a Christmas gift. Her thoughtfulness and kindness deeply touched me. All of these, as well as other acts of kindness, have brought me great comfort. They are evidence of how much God cares about me.

Most of my life, I have had difficulty asking for help. I believed that I had to be strong. In my mind, I felt I shouldn’t ask for help, especially since I was able-bodied and could take care of myself, unlike my brother who is disabled and has always needed help. Now, as I deal with my own health issues, God is showing me that my strength really comes from Him.

Even though I’m walking through a valley at this point in my journey, the blessings that God is providing make the walk more bearable. My Saint Matthew’s family has been a significant part of the glorious blessings I have experienced.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...”

(Psalm 23:6 King James)

Amen.

RNT

(With special thanks to SG for her wonderful assistance.)

Labels: Lenton Devotional 2012

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201 East Frederick Drive, Sterling, VA 20164

Phone | (703) 430-2121

Fax | (703) 430-2638

Office Manager | Miriam Turner

Rector | Rob Merola