Very much like the charge set forth to us at our baptism, our confirmation, or at ordination, the disciples have been charged by Jesus that all things written about him in the law of Moses, the psalms, or the prophecies passed on to us through the prophets must be fulfilled.

How do we live into such an important call? How do we find ourselves living into and fulfilling what has been intended for us after Jesus is gone?

Once in a while we get lucky and things just seem to fall into place, but most of the time we have to be intentional about our lives as Christians. We can’t function like accidental Christians because we would not feel fulfilled. So all we can do is be intentional.

This is not an easy task. In fact, if we have followed Jesus throughout his life by reading the stories, the accounts of his life in the Bible, we know how hard it can be. Being intentional about our lives is a discipline involving stretching our comfort levels, expanding our minds to be more inclusive, and ultimately encouraging others to join us because our lives are charismatic enough to draw people to us, to Jesus.

From Forward Day by Day

And so we pray this news.

God says I was there with you
in the howling of the tornado
and the shaking of your house,
and now I will be there with you
wherever you go next.

God says I was there with you
when you lost your loved one
in the whirling tornado,
and now I will be there with you
as you mourn his or her loss.

God says I was there with you
when you surveyed the destruction
of all your cherished possessions,
and now I will be there with you
as you purchase new things
and start all over again.

God says I was there with you
when you reached out for your dog
but could not hold him close to you
as the winds intensified,
and now I will be there with you
as you keep him close inside your heart.

God says I was there with you
when you accepted the help of others,
and now I will be there with you
as that circle of love expands
and brings you fresh hope.

God says I was there with you
when all seemed lost forever,
and now I will be with you
as you struggle to survive
and reclaim your life once again.
So be it.

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

God, today we remember those who are still unemployed and those who have recently lost jobs. May they endure during this time of uncertainty, knowing that each day remains a greater gift than the one before. Amen (sojourners)

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with an anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you can reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.”