Piloting Faith: Religions have repeatedly divided people...
A Word for the Day...
Throughout the centuries, religions have repeatedly divided people. Religions – including the Christian religion–have to often spread fear, prejudice, hate, and violence in our world. But in the Magi's offering of gifts to honor the infant Jesus, and in the Egyptians' protective hospitality for Jesus and his refugee family, we can see a better way, a way Jesus himself embodied and taught as a man. They remind us that members Earth's religions don't need to see their counterparts as competitors or enemies. Instead, we can approach one another with the spirit of gift-giving and honor, as exemplified by the Magi. We can be there to welcome and protect one another, as exemplified by the Egyptians.
May we who followed Jesus discover the gifts of our tradition and share them generously, and may we joyfully receive the gifts that others bring as well. For every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God.
- Brian McLaren, author of We Make the Road by Walking
Prayer for the Week
God of kindness and courage,
Thank you for the hunger that is God-given. You created us to work, to play, to love, to give, to dream, to desire.
Provide for our daily necessities–you are the very bread of life–and help us to open ourselves to receive what you're holding out to us, even now.
Nourish us in every way. With your gift of fortitude, steady our walk and re-energize our determination. Help us to fix our gaze on what matters first and most.
Finally, be with us when it feels like we were those we love are descending into hell - when abandonment, devastation, or death looms. You've walked that path - you know our pain and fear.
Help all your people to stand with those who hunger for justice. Show us how to champion and even to become your provision in their lives.
You have promised that all who hunger will be filled. What a mystery! What a hope! Thank you, gracious God, that you are the bread of life, given freely to everyone. Today we open our deepest self to receive your blessing.
Amen.
(adapted from The Prayer Wheel by Patton Dodd, Jana Riess and David Van Biema)
