From asimpledesire.wordpress.com, thirdway.com, emu.edu, biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Observe
From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
Reference: Matthew 24: 32-33
Matthew 24:32-33 (New King James Version)
The Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[a] is near—at the doors!
Footnotes:
a.Matthew 24:33 Or He
**************************************************************
Related Blog
A Simple Desire
The weblog "a simple desire" provides brief commentaries on "A Sip of Scripture" from a Mennonite perspective, The commentaries are written by Carole Boshart, of Oregon; Will Fitzgerald, of Michigan; and others on occasion.
a simple desireShort commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe
The coming of summer days
leave a comment »
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. “ (Matthew 24: 32-33 )
Here in Eugene we are (still) waiting for spring. We know it is coming . . . sometime. I mean, winter can’t last forever, can it?
Mission points to the inevitable conclusion of life on this world as we know it. After all, why would be speak about not being conformed to this world if this world was all there was. There is something beyond this reality for humanity. Like the coming of spring, we know it will happen at some point. But because we do not know when that some point will be, we have to be ready now. And mission is about being in ready-ness. We wait in our faith communities where we can encourage and support one another. We wait, and in our waiting we worship, study scripture, sing songs, and celebrate each season of the Christian year. If some of us have seen 200 plus seasons of the Christian year (that is 50 plus years for the non-calculators in the audience) that does not mean we have waited in vain. And if some faithful Christians have passed from this world already through human death, that does not mean their wait was in vain either.
Some may say the fig tree has blossomed forth its leaves in many seasons, and yet Christ is no nearer to the gate than when the fig tree was planted. But I am not here to critique the prediction of Christ’s coming. This chapter in Matthew has a lot to say about when Christ will return. And in bits and pieces we have looked at most of the verses in this chapter. But still, I do not think, we are no closer in knowing when that day of judgment will come. We just know if will come . . . sometime.
There is I think another lesson to be learned from the fig tree. The tree knows that summer will come. And it knows that it must be ready, There are things to be attended to in the life of a fig tree (just as in any other life). It does not matter if the last days are in the days to come, or years away. One must still attend to the daily things. For trees it is leaves, branches, and roots. For us it is forgiveness, mercy, and compassion (to name just three). This is try whether Christ’s return is tomorrow or a tomorrow a hundred years from now. The fig tree does what it was planted to do, as must we.
May you missional reader attend to the tasks of mission, and be ever ready for the summer of Christ’s return. Selah!
**************************************************************
Related Website
Soul Space
You are invited to take some time each day for "Soul Space," written by Wendy Miller and posted on the Eastern Mennonite University website. Each day's guidance centers around a theme for reflection and prayer drawn from the lectionary readings for the week.
Morning-Week One
As darkness fades and dawn awakens
Lord, give me the joy of your saving help
And sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
In the tender light of morning
Help me as I pray.
In the name of Jesus, bright and morning star. Amen.
Morning by morning God wakens–
wakens my ear
to listen
as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:5
Coming
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the solitude of listening.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance;
help me not to run into busy avoidance,
Open my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Silence
Be still.
Open your awareness to God’s presence
Within and all around.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Being With- Lent Week Two
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to come
To be with you.
By your Spirit help me
To see you,
To hear you,
To receive your Spirit,
To be led by your Spirit.
Amen
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Season of Lent: Week Two
This week the Lenten journey takes on a pathway inward. This is no wasted travel! Any attention we give to the interior of who we are will gradually transform the way we see and relate to the outer world. And any attention we give to God’s presence and work within us will transform our being and doing in the world around us.
Nicodemus finds himself held captive to the rules and regulations of the religious sect of his outer world as a Pharisee—a religious leader of the Jews. A separatist sect, the Pharisees believe that by observing all facets of the Mosaic Law in Scripture and all additions to that Law contained within the traditions, that they would be fully righteous before God and the people. This strict observance requires that they do not enter the house or eat meals with persons who are “unclean” – persons who do not keep all of the Law and its traditions. Jesus is such a person. Early in his ministry “many tax collectors and sinners” come and sit with him and his disciples in Matthew’s house, Matthew who is also a tax collector; and it is the Pharisees who call such social behavior into question (Matthew 9:9-13), For the Pharisees those who collect taxes from the Jews on behalf of the Roman government are unclean, and therefore untouchable. For Jesus, these are the very ones he is here to welcome and receive.
This leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, feels drawn to this Rabbi (teacher) Jesus—clean or unclean—and so he comes under cover of darkness and seeks Jesus out, saying: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” There is a certain logic here, a logic which rests on Nicodemus’ knowledge of the Hebrew narratives of God’s, the children of Israel. A life stream of signs and wonders circulates throughout these stories, a life stream which signals God’s presence and power. Abraham and Sarah learn this as they enter into this life stream and learn slowly to trust the presence and action of God in the midst of the impossible. This same life stream signals God’s presence and power in Jesus’ life and doings, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
It is to this indwelling that Jesus draws Nicodemus’ attention. And our attention. All of the gospel narratives contain an invitation for us to enter and to be met by this One who welcomes and receives our presence. Jesus calls us to journey beyond the limits of our logic and to be receptive to the birthing and life-making presence of the Holy Spirit. To welcome and receive the wind of the Spirit. Here Jesus is taking us into the realm of heavenly things.
If we don’t understand, that is where we are. But this Jesus comes to where we are, and invites us to trust that God comes in the Spirit, birthing the new creation within us – and thus bringing the kingdom of God within and among us in the world.
Season of Lent: Week Two
3/14 Monday: John 3:1-6
3/15 Tuesday: John 3:7-17
3/16 Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17
3/17 Thursday: Genesis 12:1-4a
3/18 Friday: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Romans 4:15; Romans 4:13-17 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 4:15
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Romans 4:13-17
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
3/19 Saturday: John 3:1-6
3/20 Sunday: John 3:7-17
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for persons, families, who need the healing and compassionate care of Jesus, especially for ___________________________ .
Dear God and Father, You who mother us with your mercy, and gentle us into peace with your consolation, console us in all our suffering and affliction So that we may be able to console those who suffer with the comfort and care we receive from you.
By your kind Spirit, be present with those who suffer and are crushed. Breathe your comfort and consolation upon the dry ground of their despair. Through your grace and saving love, surround them with your protection, give them healing and restoration.
In the name of Jesus, our Healer and Burden Bearer. Amen.
*Based on 2 Cor.1:3-5
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the night of my seeking.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance.
Help me be receptive to your Spirit, who
Opens my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Evening- Week One
Closing the day with gratefulness.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning
And of your faithfulness in the night season.
Psalm 92:1,2
As I come to the end of this day,
For what am I thankful?
How have I known God’s faithfulness this day?
What do bring to God . . .?
For confession . . .
For forgiveness . . .
For help . . .
For God’s holding.
Read the psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
Living God,
In you there is no darkness;
Shed upon us through this night the light of your forgiveness,
Your healing and your peace.
Cover us with the blanket of your protection.
When we wake from sleep
May we know once the more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Daily Readings and Devotionals:
A Sip of Scripture
Daily Scripture:
Observe
From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
Reference: Matthew 24: 32-33
Matthew 24:32-33 (New King James Version)
The Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[a] is near—at the doors!
Footnotes:
a.Matthew 24:33 Or He
**************************************************************
Related Blog
A Simple Desire
The weblog "a simple desire" provides brief commentaries on "A Sip of Scripture" from a Mennonite perspective, The commentaries are written by Carole Boshart, of Oregon; Will Fitzgerald, of Michigan; and others on occasion.
a simple desireShort commentary on “A Sip of Scripture” from Third Way Cafe
The coming of summer days
leave a comment »
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. “ (Matthew 24: 32-33 )
Here in Eugene we are (still) waiting for spring. We know it is coming . . . sometime. I mean, winter can’t last forever, can it?
Mission points to the inevitable conclusion of life on this world as we know it. After all, why would be speak about not being conformed to this world if this world was all there was. There is something beyond this reality for humanity. Like the coming of spring, we know it will happen at some point. But because we do not know when that some point will be, we have to be ready now. And mission is about being in ready-ness. We wait in our faith communities where we can encourage and support one another. We wait, and in our waiting we worship, study scripture, sing songs, and celebrate each season of the Christian year. If some of us have seen 200 plus seasons of the Christian year (that is 50 plus years for the non-calculators in the audience) that does not mean we have waited in vain. And if some faithful Christians have passed from this world already through human death, that does not mean their wait was in vain either.
Some may say the fig tree has blossomed forth its leaves in many seasons, and yet Christ is no nearer to the gate than when the fig tree was planted. But I am not here to critique the prediction of Christ’s coming. This chapter in Matthew has a lot to say about when Christ will return. And in bits and pieces we have looked at most of the verses in this chapter. But still, I do not think, we are no closer in knowing when that day of judgment will come. We just know if will come . . . sometime.
There is I think another lesson to be learned from the fig tree. The tree knows that summer will come. And it knows that it must be ready, There are things to be attended to in the life of a fig tree (just as in any other life). It does not matter if the last days are in the days to come, or years away. One must still attend to the daily things. For trees it is leaves, branches, and roots. For us it is forgiveness, mercy, and compassion (to name just three). This is try whether Christ’s return is tomorrow or a tomorrow a hundred years from now. The fig tree does what it was planted to do, as must we.
May you missional reader attend to the tasks of mission, and be ever ready for the summer of Christ’s return. Selah!
**************************************************************
Related Website
Soul Space
You are invited to take some time each day for "Soul Space," written by Wendy Miller and posted on the Eastern Mennonite University website. Each day's guidance centers around a theme for reflection and prayer drawn from the lectionary readings for the week.
Morning-Week One
As darkness fades and dawn awakens
Lord, give me the joy of your saving help
And sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
In the tender light of morning
Help me as I pray.
In the name of Jesus, bright and morning star. Amen.
Morning by morning God wakens–
wakens my ear
to listen
as those who are taught. Isaiah 50:5
Coming
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the solitude of listening.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance;
help me not to run into busy avoidance,
Open my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Silence
Be still.
Open your awareness to God’s presence
Within and all around.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Being With- Lent Week Two
Prayer before reading:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to come
To be with you.
By your Spirit help me
To see you,
To hear you,
To receive your Spirit,
To be led by your Spirit.
Amen
Read slowly. Listen deeply. Indwell the scripture.
Season of Lent: Week Two
This week the Lenten journey takes on a pathway inward. This is no wasted travel! Any attention we give to the interior of who we are will gradually transform the way we see and relate to the outer world. And any attention we give to God’s presence and work within us will transform our being and doing in the world around us.
Nicodemus finds himself held captive to the rules and regulations of the religious sect of his outer world as a Pharisee—a religious leader of the Jews. A separatist sect, the Pharisees believe that by observing all facets of the Mosaic Law in Scripture and all additions to that Law contained within the traditions, that they would be fully righteous before God and the people. This strict observance requires that they do not enter the house or eat meals with persons who are “unclean” – persons who do not keep all of the Law and its traditions. Jesus is such a person. Early in his ministry “many tax collectors and sinners” come and sit with him and his disciples in Matthew’s house, Matthew who is also a tax collector; and it is the Pharisees who call such social behavior into question (Matthew 9:9-13), For the Pharisees those who collect taxes from the Jews on behalf of the Roman government are unclean, and therefore untouchable. For Jesus, these are the very ones he is here to welcome and receive.
This leader of the Jews, Nicodemus, feels drawn to this Rabbi (teacher) Jesus—clean or unclean—and so he comes under cover of darkness and seeks Jesus out, saying: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” There is a certain logic here, a logic which rests on Nicodemus’ knowledge of the Hebrew narratives of God’s, the children of Israel. A life stream of signs and wonders circulates throughout these stories, a life stream which signals God’s presence and power. Abraham and Sarah learn this as they enter into this life stream and learn slowly to trust the presence and action of God in the midst of the impossible. This same life stream signals God’s presence and power in Jesus’ life and doings, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God.
It is to this indwelling that Jesus draws Nicodemus’ attention. And our attention. All of the gospel narratives contain an invitation for us to enter and to be met by this One who welcomes and receives our presence. Jesus calls us to journey beyond the limits of our logic and to be receptive to the birthing and life-making presence of the Holy Spirit. To welcome and receive the wind of the Spirit. Here Jesus is taking us into the realm of heavenly things.
If we don’t understand, that is where we are. But this Jesus comes to where we are, and invites us to trust that God comes in the Spirit, birthing the new creation within us – and thus bringing the kingdom of God within and among us in the world.
Season of Lent: Week Two
3/14 Monday: John 3:1-6
3/15 Tuesday: John 3:7-17
3/16 Wednesday: Psalm 51:1-17
3/17 Thursday: Genesis 12:1-4a
3/18 Friday: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Romans 4:15; Romans 4:13-17 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 4:15
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Romans 4:13-17
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
3/19 Saturday: John 3:1-6
3/20 Sunday: John 3:7-17
Responding
The third movement within Soul Space is Responding. Here we shift our focus towards outward engagement.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Pray for the coming day. Pray for persons, families, who need the healing and compassionate care of Jesus, especially for ___________________________ .
Dear God and Father, You who mother us with your mercy, and gentle us into peace with your consolation, console us in all our suffering and affliction So that we may be able to console those who suffer with the comfort and care we receive from you.
By your kind Spirit, be present with those who suffer and are crushed. Breathe your comfort and consolation upon the dry ground of their despair. Through your grace and saving love, surround them with your protection, give them healing and restoration.
In the name of Jesus, our Healer and Burden Bearer. Amen.
*Based on 2 Cor.1:3-5
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving God,
Help me to hear your call
To be with you –
In the night of my seeking.
Awaken my mind and soul to your work
And your guidance.
Help me be receptive to your Spirit, who
Opens my eyes to see Jesus.
Amen
Evening- Week One
Closing the day with gratefulness.
It is a good thing to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to your Name, O Most High;
To tell of your loving-kindness early in the morning
And of your faithfulness in the night season.
Psalm 92:1,2
As I come to the end of this day,
For what am I thankful?
How have I known God’s faithfulness this day?
What do bring to God . . .?
For confession . . .
For forgiveness . . .
For help . . .
For God’s holding.
Read the psalm for this week’s lectionary readings.
Silence
Closing Prayer
Living God,
In you there is no darkness;
Shed upon us through this night the light of your forgiveness,
Your healing and your peace.
Cover us with the blanket of your protection.
When we wake from sleep
May we know once the more the light of your presence,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
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