What is God nudging you to do (or be) today? To make that phone call? Or maybe write that letter you've been putting off? To say, "I'm sorry"? Or to take that first step toward the dream you've been holding in your heart? Whatever it is - answer the call - do it now!

Wednesday in the Seventh Week of Easter

Acts 20:28-38

Ps 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab

J ohn 17:11b-19 (11) And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (12) While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. (13) But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (14) I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15) I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (18) As you did send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (19) And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.

Meditation by Tamora Whitney

P aul in the first reading is leaving the Church of Ephesus , and he’s worried about what will happen to it and the people after he is gone.  He knows that he has been there for three years and he has worked with the people and kept them on path, but when he leaves, who will lead them? Who will keep them on the straight and narrow? When a group has a strong leader and rallies behind that leader, it’s easy to stay on task. When that leader goes, who do the people follow? At that point it’s easy for someone else to come in and take the reins. If that person is on the same track, good, but it’s also easy for the newly leaderless people to be lead astray. Paul worries that these people will be swayed by evilness, but also that his own words will be twisted.  When someone is gone, it’s easy to forget what he said, or even think you remember, but you don’t get it just right. Like the game of “telephone” when a whispered sentence gets to the end of the line very different from how it started. Paul hopes he has started the people on a good path that they will be able to follow even after he is gone.

As a teacher, I hope my students get the benefit of my words and can use the information from my class even after the semester is over. I hope they get what they need from my class and can use it in the future. But I also know that they don’t always get it right. I see in exams my own lecture points twisted into something barely recognizable to me. I can’t go with them into the rest of their school life or into the world, so I have to hope they understand the information and use it well. Parents too have to give their children the best start they can, and then let them go into their own lives.

In the Gospel, Jesus is dealing with the same situation. He came and taught and tried to set his people on the right track, but he couldn’t stay on earth forever and trusts that we will now follow his path. He prays that his followers not be swayed by evil and that they will take his words as a true guide and not pervert their intention.

Supplementary Reading

Saying "YES!" when God says "GO!"

This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand.—Exodus 12:11a

T he Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared.” Great advice for people of all ages. In Exodus 12, God asks his people to be prepared - to eat with their "staff in their hand" (most of the Israelites were shepherds by trade). The message of this scripture is to be alert and ready to move without hesitation at God's call.

The Bible is filled with stories, events, and parables - many taught by Jesus himself - encouraging persons like you and me to remain alert to the call and voice of God in our everyday lives.

What is God nudging you to do (or be) today? To make that phone call? Or maybe write that letter you've been putting off? To say, "I'm sorry"? Or to take that first step toward the dream you've been holding in your heart?

Whatever it is - answer the call - do it now!

Lord God, my sandals are on my feet, my staff is in my hand…I'm ready to move at your command. I am willing, Lord, to move in loving ways for you today. Amen.

What have you resisted doing lately that you know will bless you or others? Why do you think you’ve procrastinated? (Jim Coleman) # # #

For archive of previous Daily Meditation postings, please visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

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GOD BLESS US ALL!
O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.