Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Ordinary Time: Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Old Testament Lesson


One of the constant refrains of Job's story is that he does not know why these things have happened to him.  In his day, if something bad happened to you, then the people you must have caused it to happen.  So, for everyone around him, all the calamities means that Job must have done something terrible. 

But, Job knew that he hadn't. And, from reading the text, we know as well.  And, that may be the most powerful lesson we can learn from Job. When something bad happens, it's not God "out to get us."  He wasn't out to get Job. When tragedy comes, the amazing thing about God is that He can bring something out of it. But, don't believe that God is doing things to "get you."  He loves you.  That's not how it works.  

New Testament Lesson


We see that when God did these great things through Peter, many believed. That's the power of an action.  Now, maybe today you and I will not raise the dead or heal the sick, but through kindness, through love, through forgiveness, through grace, through all our actions, perhaps someone will come to believe. When we love and serve, when we live the Christian life, God is at work, and others may come to believe.  

Gospel Lesson


Peter puts it plainly. When others started turning away, Jesus looked to the 12. Will you to leave?  And Peter replied, where else could we go?  The Christian life is not always easy.  It's not a bed of roses.  It will be hard. There will be challenges. There will be trials. 

But where else can we go?  Where else will find life?  Only through Jesus. Today, in this day, know that He is the one that we turn to, in the good and in the bad. And it is in Him that we find life.  

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