Ordinary Time: Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Samuel 3:22-39

One of my coaches at Bogue Chitto High school shared with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes a powerful message that still echoes in my ear to this day. Coach Micky Myers told us that our lives may be the only Bible that some people ever read. The way that we act, the way that we live, the way that live our lives can and will affect others.

Today, David mourned the life of someone that at one point was his enemy. He didn't have to mourn is such a manner, but it was the right thing to do. And, in doing the right thing, it made an impact upon all around him. Sometimes in life, the most important thing that we can do is to simply do what is right. That is what David did in the text, and that is what we called to do in all of life.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 16:16-24

We see what greed does in this text. The people were not worried that this person was plagued by this spirit and they were not happy that she was set free. Their only concern was that they had lost a source of income. Greed causes us to place other things, be it money, power, whatever over other people. And when we place value on stuff over people, or over our walk with God that leads to so many problems in our lives. They were not worried about this young girls life; they were only worried about what they could get. May we never fall into such a trap.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 6:47-56

One thing we always see about Jesus is that people were drawn to Him. Those that were sick. Those that were in need. Those that were lost. Those that were sinful. Those that were broken. Those that needed grace. They were drawn to Jesus.

That is what Jesus does. He draws people to Himself. That is what He wants to use us for; to draw others to Him. Does He shine through in our lives so that it can happen? Is our life so full of grace that folks are just drawn not to us, but Jesus in us? That is what He can do. May we know His grace and in that knowledge. may people draw to Him through Him working in us.