Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

 

Luke 3: 7-8
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized
by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee
from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of
repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have
Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from
these stones to raise up children to Abraham.(NRSV)

 

Reflections:

 

Every week I meet with students and professionals who
are trying to "get in" somewhere. "We spend time going
over strategies for success, trying to come with the best
way to get in by spinning accomplishments and selling.
     In Luke 3, John the Baptist shared a very different
strategy for getting in.  His audience understood works
and sacrifices as part of religious ritual.  Yet this realm
that John spoke of required sacrificing to help not oneself,
but those in need (v.11). The bureaucrat's resume of
accomplishments and the soldier's steel sword would not
get them in.  This King demanded honesty and selfishness
(vv. 13-14).  In short, this King was impressed not by
achievements or pedigree, but by how one's life mirrored
character. Let us seek to show humility and integrity to our
families, friends, schools, jobs, and communities, no
matter the cost. 

 

Prayer:

 

Dear Lord, this week help me to live a life of love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control, choosing to give rather than gain.  Amen.

 

(Covenant Home Alter author, Quaime Lee)

May Christ shield me today
against poison and fire,
against drowning and wounding,
so that I may fulfill my mission
and bear fruit in abundance.
Christ behind and before me,
Christ behind and above me,
Christ with me and in me,
Christ around and about me,
Christ on my right and on my left,
Christ when I lie down at night,
Christ when I rise in the morning,

 

Christ in the heart of every man
who thinks of me,

 

Christ in the mouth of everyone
that speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,

 

Christ in every ear that hears me.