Ordinary Time: Thrusday, August 27, 2009

Old Testament Lesson

1 Kings 3:16-28

We see the famous story of Solomon and the baby. He says since neither mother can agree about whose baby it is, the baby is to be divided into half and half given to each. The true mother says, no let her have it, showing she valued the child's life above all. Solomon had that wisdom given from God and we see it here. Wisdom is an interesting thing. It's not education, it is a gift. It's not something you learn, but it is something that life teaches. Wisdom is not about seeing things the way that the world would see it or we would see it, it's about trying, as best we can to see things through Jesus' eyes. Its about seeing things the way He'd have us to see.

Today, may we try to look not just through our eyes, but though Jesus' eyes. May we seek to see with wisdom.

New Testament Lesson

Acts 27:27-44

We see Paul save the lives of his captors here as well as the other prisoners. Paul encouraged the soldiers to eat and let them know that they would be fine, God would take care of them. And then, when the ship ran aground, the guards wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they would not escape, they didn't because of Paul. Because of the compassion and integrity of Paul, all these lives we saved.

We will never know the true impact of our lives. As we live lives of grace and mercy, we'll know all the lives that we touch. As we seek to live as God would have us to, full of love, mercy, and grace, God can change so many around us in ways that we'll never know. Let us be faithful. And leave the rest to God!

Gospel Lesson

Mark 14:12-26

His body the bread, His blood the wine, given for us. Not just in the meal of Holy Communion in each day. Each day, the body and blood of Christ poured out for us feeds us. Each day, He is our life. Each day, He is sustenance. Each day, He really is all we need. Today, if we have Jesus, we have all we need. May we rest in that.