Christian Reflection and Prayer

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to perform a
wedding service for a very special couple. Although the family
was relatively well known, the wedding itself was very small.
When I asked the bride why, she replied, "I'm not going to hug
somebody I don't know."

That feeling was not shared by Greta Peske who married Tony
Hokanson at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell, Minnesota,
this past October 10th. Indeed, Peske reserved a dance at the
reception for a man whom she had met only once in her life.
Even so, that man was, in some ways, responsible for that
wedding taking place.

Let me share: the name of the 51-year-old man from Arkansas
was Danny Daniels. In 2007, he was contacted by medical
personnel. They told him the tests showed he was a good bone
marrow match for a high-school girl who had come down with
leukemia. They wanted to know if he would consent to helping
her out.

Peske thankfully acknowledges, "He didn't have to do what he
did, (that is help her), but he did."

Because of his donation, Peske survived, fell in love, and was
married, and she had a dance with Daniels to show her
appreciation.

When I read that story, I couldn't forget the line, "He didn't have
to do what he did, but he did."

That line described Danny Daniels, and it most certainly
describes the work of the Savior. After Adam and Eve's
disobedience and sin, they -- with all of their descendants --
were doomed to die. There was no escape; there was no cure;
there was nothing they could do other than wait for a bitter and
terrible end.

It was then that the Lord decided to help us.

He would do what was necessary to save us. Nobody asked
Him to make a sacrifice. He did what He did because -- along
with being a just God -- He is also merciful. It was that attribute,
along with grace, which had Him send His Son to save us.

Of course, this was not a simple bone marrow transplant.

Not at all.

This procedure which would save us -- the process which would
rescue us -- called for Jesus to give up His life in a most painful
manner. This He would do after having been rejected by His
country, His religion, and even His own hometown.

He didn't have to do what He did, but He did.

Now all who are given faith in the Redeemer, with repentant hearts,
are forgiven and saved. Now, those who are redeemed and
rescued show their thanks to the Lord, not with a dance at their
 wedding, but by living every day of their lives as if it were a real
Thanksgiving Day.

THE PRAYER:

Dear Lord, You didn't have to do what You did, but You did. May
my life reflect the thanksgiving I feel in my heart. This I ask in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Verse

But Ruth said, ‘Do not press me to leave you or to
turn back from following you! Where you go, I will
go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall
be my people, and your God my God.'
Ruth 1:16

Voice

The half-life of love is forever.
Junot Díaz

Prayer

God, just as Ruth loved Naomi, may we love you
and love our neighbors. Amen.

Scripture:

Mark 12:38-44

Jesus Denounces the Scribes

38 As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who
like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with
respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best
seats in the synagogues and places of honor at
banquets! 40 They devour widows’ houses and for the
sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive
the greater condemnation.”
The Widow’s Offering
41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the
crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people
put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two
small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he
called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this
poor widow has put in more than all those who are
contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have
contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her
poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live
on.” New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Giving can be risky.  Today's passage is about a poor
widow who gave two small copper coins to the temple
treasury.  It was all she had.  She not only risked her
livelihood, she also risked ridicule from on lookers who
could give much more.

And even though her donation was small and may not
have made much difference, it was her devotion to
God that has been and inspiration for generations.  
Jesus said of her, "truly I tell you, this poor widow has
put in more than all those who are contributing to the
treasury.  For all of them have contributed out of their
abundance:  but she our of her poverty has put
everything she had, all she had to live on"
(vv; 43-43, NRSV).

Loving can also be risky. But it is always worth it
because love changes things.  Sometimes I am affraid
to love.  What's the risk, I ask myself?  Rejection?

It's never about the offering.  It's about the heart and
the love behind the giving.  The poor widow trusted the
love of her Lord to cover her needs and desires.

Prayer:

Lord please help us to give from a heart of love and
devotion.  Amen

(Covenant Home Alter, author Alice Benavides)