Psalms 119:73-80, 145, 121:6 (NIV)
Jeremiah 16 (1-9) 10-21 (NIV)
Romans 7:1-12 (NIV)
John 6:10-15 (NIV)
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Devotion
The charge is to reflect on the passages that have been gathered for this day and “devote” time to discerning how the passages speak to me about simplifying life and allow for more time in my day to listen or commune with God.
The irony is that as I write this it is mid-February. So, the new year is just getting underway and after Christmas break everything is cranking up to take on the challenges of the new year. Work for me is at an increased pace, life obligations are picking up and suddenly, it is back to a hectic pace of structure and always the “surprises” that I just cannot see how I can fit them in.
Where then is the irony? Well, two weeks ago I was not feeling quite up to par and knew something was amiss. I also received a letter about contributing to the devotional and thinking how I will fit this in, I am too busy. A week ago, I went to the doctor about the lack of energy, labored breathing and blahs and my busy world came to a halt with the diagnosis I have pneumonia.
Not that we all need a crisis, but a deliberate pause to realign our priorities can serve us all well.
Now I have two weeks to let go, delay, or postpone all those things that were so high a priority and filled each day. I can now devote time to reflection, reading the passages for the devotional and applying the message that is the theme of this year’s calling.
As in the past I struggled to interpret what the readings say and how they can best be applied to my life and the topic at hand. The Psalm passages emphasis a dialog with God, Jeremiah speaks to an impending disaster, Romans talks of renewal of life in Christ and John relays the story of the feeding of the five thousand. My takeaway is taking the time to read and dwell on the passages and spending the time to strengthen our roots with our faith is important, and putting more discipline in our lives to create that time is key.
Prayer
Peace be with you, be attentive to God’s leading. Be open to the challenge of Living more Simply…Making Room for God. As we move forward into this year take time to listen and you will be surprised and enriched by the leading of our Lord. Amen.
Bob Clark