Ordinary Time: Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

2 Samuel 18:9-18

David was the king, Absalom was trying to steal the kingdom, but even in this David did not want to see his son hurt. He simply wanted him defeated and the kingdom returned. Yet his men, our of loyalty killed Absalom, One of the reasons some folks think that David had all these problem with Absalom was that he never really disciplined him or any of his children. Believe it or not, sometimes its hard to grow up as a prince.

Maybe not hard, but it does provide a different set of challenges as you grow. The prince is used to having everything given to them, it doesn't work that way in life, does it? The prince is used to getting what they want. It doesn't always work that way in life. Life requires work and effort and sweat and tears. Life requires bowing your back at time and in life, yes, we don't always get what we want. Absalom was not really used to that, so if he wants to be king, he believes he should be king. And that belief he goes to war against his own father.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 23:12-24

We see God working to bring forth His plan of Paul testifying in Rome. When God is at work, even human plans cannot stop what He wants to do. He will make a way. If God has called you to something, no matter how high the wall, not matter how big the mountain, if He has called you; trust. Trust in Him. Trust in His way. Trust in what He will do. If He has called you, He will not fail you.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 11:27-12:12

We see in this parable that Jesus communicates to the people just how much God loves His people that He was willing to send His son, even though others had been killed before, to try to bring His people back home. But, they refused. And, they would kill the son, just as others before had been killed. God was willing to go to any length to see His people come home, and they refused. So, through the cross, He made the ultimate path back home.

Today, He has gone to every extreme to bring you and me back home. Back to his love, back to his grace, back to life. He has done all He can do for us. He loves us more than we'll ever know. He has given us His son as an act of redemption. Today, no matter where we are, God wants us to know that we are loved and we are being called back to Him. Today, as in every day, we can come back home.