In our reading for today we have Luke’s version of Jesus calling his first disciples — the calling of Simon Peter, James, and John.
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Our names are personal. They are extensions of ourselves. They not only identify us to others, but they take on our own identity and we wrap ourselves in them.
Bad things happen to good people. Everyone knows that. Good, faithful, honest, hard-working, loving, committed — you can plug in any adjective here you want — people get sick, get hurt, and experience suffering.
Paul calls to mind some of the very difficult circumstances and experiences in life and in that context he brings up prayer.
Ecclesiastes’ philosophy has resonated with many people down through the ages and continues to do so today. Today’s reading catalogs various seasons of life, 28 of them, arranged in sharp contrast to one another and yet each an undeniable part of human existence.
The psalmist says, in prayer and song, “You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Today’s scripture reading comes from Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. Romans is unusual in that Paul did not found the church at Rome and had never even visited there.
Today’s reading is a parable about grace.
What are the characteristics of God that come first to your mind?
How do you describe God?
What are the characteristics of God that come first to your mind?
What we do and how we live matters. It matters to God. It matters to all those who share in the effects or consequences of what we do.