Ordinary Time: Monday, July 23, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

1 Samuel 24:1-22

We see in this passage David do right by Saul when there was no earthly reason to so do. After all, multiple times, Saul had tried to kill David. David could have killed Saul and no one would have batted and eye. And, David is a solider. This would not have been the first time he would have killed someone, no would it have been the last.

But, it was not right. And David tried to do in his life what was right. Did he always succeed in doing right? No, he failed at time. But, when he earnestly tried to do the right thing and live in a way that would please God. He is called a man after God's own heart. He was not perfect, and the Bible will show us his failures. But, in this instance, and in most of his life he tried to do what was right.

Today, we are not perfect. But, when given a choice between good and evil, right and wrong, let us rely upon God. Let us strive to be like David and chase after what God would have us to do.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 13:44-52

One of the things we see quite often in Acts is the virtue of courage. That is one that we don't talk about sometimes. We talk about love and strength and peace and those wonderful things. But, courage is a virtue as much as any of these, and it is something that the Christan needs, as much as any of these.

Courage to fight against evil. Courage to do what is right. Courage to go against culture. Courage to be who God has called us to be. Today, may we be men and women of courage, unafraid of what is to come. For, whatever it is, we know that the Lord is bigger and stronger.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 4:1-20

We see in this parable that the Word will be sown. The Lord will cast out His word in all of life. We will encounter His word in the Bible. In Church. In so many different ways. In as many ways as their is to hear or see; we will encounter His word.

The question then becomes, what will we do with it? What type of soil will we be? Will we be the good soil that will respond to the Word given us? Or will we not allow it to take root?

Today, may we be good dirt. May we open our ears and eyes to listen and see what God has for us in this day, and in this week! Know that He wants to speak to us. May we listen.