Ordinary Time: Monday, August 20, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Samuel 17:24-18:8

One of the things that it is good to do at times is to stop and listen to those around you. David was determined to go into battle today and his men said, no, you cannot. Stay here, you are worth more to us here than on the battle field. That went against David's instinct and against who he was. And, it goes contrary to what we think a leader should do; we picture the leader in front, leading the charge. And, that was where David wanted to be.

He stayed back, though, because that is what his people wanted. There is great wisdom that comes from listening to other people. God can speak to us many different ways. Make sure you are listening. Don't think that God can't speak to you through a certain person or in a certain place. He can speak many, many ways and through many, many people. Make sure you are listening.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 22:30-23:11

God begins to reveal His plan to Paul. It wasn't just about going to Jerusalem to give witness, but eventually to Rome. Rome was the seat of government, it was the seat of power and God had ultimately raised up Paul to testify there in Rome. He tells Paul to keep his courage up. Sometimes in the midst of a mission or in the middle of a task, it is easy to get worried or discouraged. Especially when things aren't going the way that we feel like they should be going. God tells Paul that everything is as it should be and there is more to go. So, hold fast, don't give up, there is more work to come.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 11:12-26

All that Jesus did in His life and ministry required faith. It took faith to curse the fig tree in this passage, it took faith to drive out the money changers. It took faith in God to preach and teach the way that it did. It took faith in people to call the disciples. It took faith to be nailed to a cross. Everything He did required faith.

If the very son of God knew that faith was essential to who He was and what He did, how much more should faith be at the very bedrock of who we are?