Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture: John 11:1-27

The Raising of Lazarus

Reflection:

Martha's situation in this passage is hopeless and
frustrating, yet her faith in Jesus power to resurrect her
brother, Lazarus, is unmoved by her despair and confusion.
She still trusts Jesus, even now that her brother has been
dead for days. It's as if Martha is saying, "This is not over
until you say it's over, Jesus. And you haven't said it's over!"
Maybe you lost someone you love this year. Or maybe the
money finally ran out. Perhaps the sun set on a dream you
had for your family or for your career or for your church.
Whatever it is, were ever your "even now" happens to be
today, remember that hope has not flown. Not with Jesus
still on the scene. Even now as my friend and author Bo
Stern says, he can turn your sorrows and trade them for
laughter and singing and spinning and joy. Even now.

Prayer:

Jesus, forgive me for all the times I've given up on or been
frustrated with you. Broaden my perspective and your great
love today, and teach me to see how, even now, hope is not
lost. Amen

(from The Covenant Home Altar, Kristin Lunsford author)

Scripture:

7 Judge not, that you be not judged.
(Matthew 7:1)

"In mercy you have seen fit today to show me,
poor as I am, how we can in no way pass
judgment on other people's intentions. Indeed,
by sending people in an endless variety of paths,
you give an example for myself, and for this I
thank you."

St. Catherine of Siena
Political and Religious Peacemaker
(1347-1380)

Imagine that a fly lands on a train and wants to make
it move. It pushes with all its might, and the train does
start to move. It goes very fast and the fly starts to think
that it must be really strong. To the onlooker, it’s
ridiculous to think that the fly could ever be pushing a
train. Even the largest, strongest, most capable fly
cannot push a train!

We are like that fly. Sometimes it looks like we are the
ones pushing the train and running the world, but it’s
just an illusion. God is the driver, the conductor, and
the power that runs our lives.

We are all vulnerable and totally dependent on God who
covers us with His love. Remember how God loves us
infinitely, and He will continue to conduct our lives in
the best way possible. We cannot control everything,
but the good news is that we don’t have to. Our loving
Father in Heaven has got us covered.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein