Ordinary Time: Thursday, June 28, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 8:1-22

There is that old saying, be careful what you wish for. Israel longed for a king, and they got one. You can look later in the Old Testament, though, that most every king they received "did evil in eyes of the Lord." Be careful what you wish for, for we do not see the entire picture.

Also, notice why they wanted a king. To be like other nations. There reasons were not noble, they were to simply be like everyone else. As Christians, we must make sure that we are taking our cues on how to live not from our world or from our culture, but from God. Let us be careful not to want a "king," whatever that king might be for you, just because everyone else has one.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 6:15-7:16

We see Stephen tell the story of Jesus Christ not beginning with Jesus, but with Abraham. We must realize how far back God has been working to bring us into salvation. God's plan is not simply something that pops into place today, but has been unfolding long before us. And, then we must realize that we are part of this great story of faith, going all the way back to Abraham. That is why the writer of Hebrews tells us that we are surrounded by this mighty cloud of witness.

We are not the first to walk this road, we are not the first to face these tests. Take heart, you are not alone. Others have been and are where you are. Take heart. God understands, and He knows. Take heart, His plan is at work in your life, even if you don't know how.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 22:24-30

Greatness in the eyes of God is not about anything on the earth. Greatness in the eyes of God is not about the things that we are tempted to think that is about. Greatness in the eyes of God is simply about service. Will you serve God? Will you serve your neighbor? These are things that greatness comes down to. To be what God wants us to be, that is what we must be doing.