Meditations

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14

“Brigid was famous not only for the perpetual fire that burned at her monastery in Kildare, but for her hospitality and welcome.

Brigid’s Feast

I should like a great lake of finest ale
for the King of kings.
I should like a table of the choicest food
for the family of heaven.
Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith
and the food be forgiving love.

I should welcome the poor to my feast,
for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast,
for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place,
and the sick dance with the angels.

God bless the poor,
God bless the sick,
and bless our human race.
God bless our food,
God bless our drink;
all homes, O God, embrace.”

Brigid’s Feast in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 608.

As we have recovered from Covid, I have a fresh appreciation for those who provide food or care for the sick and helpless who cannot repay those who do them good.

When I read this beautiful poem I smiled because the sick and poor are not treated as second class people but shown the highest levels of hospitality and love.

Know anyone you could assist with warm welcome like this today?

Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Ephesians 6:6

“Outward esteem, the praises of those round about us, their flattery and compliments, soon prove hollow, if they are all we have to feed upon. Looking good, looking clever, looking busy can consume much of our energy as we compete for medals in people-pleasing. We judge strangers by the clothes they wear. In some circles cleverness and intellectual ability are regarded highly. Being busy attracts praise. But are we doing what God wants us to be doing? Whose approval do we really want? The answer to that question will determine the values we live by. Listen to the comment from a devout Hebridean soul: Though we prospered little, yet we were rich in faith and unfearingness.”

Excerpt from the Hebridean Altars in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 601-602.

Our generous service must not aim to please people but God. In so doing, we may or may not attain wealth or praise but we will undoubtedly grow in faith and unfearingness.

Yesterday related to my GTP work, I launched my third CIM cohort of “Biblical Understanding of Management” with 36 students from across India and Nepal. We talked about this in light of the world in which we are managing. We may desire fruitful outcomes in the roles in which we serve, but our focus must be to execute the tasks God has given us to do and trust Him to give us the fruits He’s prepared for us.

Fear often comes into play when we try to control outcomes and results. Why take this approach? We must because we are slaves or servants of Christ.

When we focus on faithful work, God takes care of the outcomes or results. Remember in Acts when the first disciples devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of break, and prayer? Then the Lord added to their number daily those that are being saved. Numbers matter, but not in a way that draws praise to us. They must glorify God.

So, in the end, when we follow God’s design for our generous service, the result is faith and also unfearingness. We are fearless regardless of the times because our trust is in God alone.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

“God made the world out of nothing, and it is only when we become nothing that God can make anything of us.”

Martin Luther in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 599.

Notice the counterintuitive way in which God works. Luther puts his finger on it.

When we follow the instructions of Paul and the example of Jesus, and humble ourselves, God will make something of us. We don’t ordinarily think that the pathway for having the greatest impact is to “become nothing” but that’s the way in God’s economy.

What would it look like for you to become nothing? 

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. Acts 3:3

“I am a rich man now — but I used to be a beggar, one of hte lowest of the low. You’ll wonder how things changed.

Well, one day I was out on the road and I saw coming towards me that strange bishop the King is so fond of. What was especially strange was that he had a horse. Generally he walked, or so I’d heard. And what a horse! A noble beast indeed, and all done up in gold and silver and fine leather. I thought. ‘What wouldn’t I give for a little bit of that horse’s harness!”

Religion had never done me any good; but I’d try anything once, so when I got level with the bishop I held out my hand and said, ‘Alms, for the love of God.’

He looked round as if thinking what could he give, and then he said, ‘Of course. Have this horse.’

‘What?’ I shrieked. ‘All of him?’

And then he smiled. ‘All four legs of him.’ he said: ‘and the trappings as well.’ I just stood there dumbfounded, and then he said, ‘take him, but remember this: the horse is a son of a mare, but you are a son of God.’ Then he walked on.

Since then, I’ve been rich, but I’m different in other ways too. I give to beggars — it’s great to have something to give. And I mean to learn more about this God whose son I am.”

The Beggar in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 498-499.

‘The horse is a son of a mare, but you are a son of God.’

What a powerful idea the bishop planted into the heart of the beggar to explore as a recipient of the bishop’s generosity. What if we gave alms likewise?

What if we gave generously to those in need and coupled it with truths like this one which would send the recipient on a journey of discovery for a lifetime?

The response of the bishop reminds me of Peter and John in the temple in today’s Scripture. They gave the man who sought help something bigger, that is, healing.

God, guide us so that when people in need seek something from us, to give them something bigger than will propel them on a journey of service to you. Amen.

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. Psalm 78:4

“Francis was born in the small town of Assisi in the year 1182. Even today, as you walk through the Umbrian countryside, the peace of Saint Francis seeps into your soul and you begin to believe that perfect joy is possible. When the light of the Spirit was dying out all over the world, this man, this little man, this one man re-enkindled the flame. He was only 45 years old when he died but he left behind a dream to dream and a journey for every man.”

Murray Bodo in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 444.

Francis left behind a legacy that has touched every generation after him. He aimed to live out three verses of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it has shaped countless people ever since.

What generous legacy will you leave behind? If it is linked to living out God’s Word and sharing it with the next generation you too could have unfathomable impact.

The key is not to aim for impact. Just focus on living out the gospel of Jesus Christ and let God work through you according to His will to the praise of His glory.

One more thing, and I am thinking this as I have recovered from Covid. Don’t focus on living a long life. Live each day God gives you to the fullest. Imagine that Francis only lived to be 45!

LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. Psalm 30:2

“Imagine your soul as being like the Tyne Bridge. There are busy times and quiet times. The job of the bridge is not to ask what is in the cars or lorries but simply to bear their weight for a few seconds and then to allow them to go on their way.

There is no problem when the flow of traffic is even, but when breakdowns and bottlenecks occur, the fights and impatience begin. Your soul too has to tkae the weight and let it go.

The suffering becomes prolonged only when you do not acknowledge its existence and let it pass on. Then it sits on your soul like a judgment. The time to repair the bridge is at night when the traffic is light.

Your prayer in quiet times gives you the strength to cope with the heavy, busy times. You dig, patch, and repair in the night. As a result the world can flow over your soul in the day without congestion.

You must allow the flow of faith, love, healing, hope, joy, and light to pass through you into the world. You must allow the flow of hatred, darkness, and sin to flow from the world through you to God.

All of this is done by prayer, and by forgiveness of yourself, of others and perhaps even of God Himself for what you feel He has done to you. Little by little, you grow in the power of prayer, in the ability to hear the weight and accept the contradictions of the two-way flow between God and the world.”

Aidan Clarke in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 394-395.

Need strength to cope? I do. You think you need help and what I am learning is that in such moments you need healing.

“The time to repair the bridge is in the night.” Take your concerns to God on your bed. Call for help. Let Him heal you.

Let His love and hope transform you as, like Jesus, you bear the sins of those around you. This is what being generous conduits of grace is all about.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

‘Tour-bus Christians’ drive comfortably through life as they gaze out the window at others who are elbow-deep in the daily adventure of serving God and working among spiritually needy people.

Tour-bus Christians are insulated from the real-world activity and excitement of God’s work. They may avoid some of the pain that’s involved, and they may protect themselves from the difficulties and struggles, but there’s no real adventure on a tour bus.

They miss out on the excitement of living at the edge of expectation. They don’t experience the tremendous counter-cultural truth that the more the Christian pours himself out serving others in God’s name, the more God will fill him to overflowing. The adventure comes when you tell the tour bus to stop, and you jump off and say:

‘Lord I want to get into the fray. I want to play a role in the biggest adventure story of all time. Use me to make a difference. Use me to impact a young person for You. Use me to solve someone’s problem. Use me to soothe someone’s pain. Use me to answer someone’s prayer. Use me to feed someone who’s hungry. Use me to rescue a child. Use me to bring someone to You. Use me to ease someone’s loneliness. Use me to raise a godly family.

Use me to deepen someone’s faith. Use me to cheer someone on. Use me to help a broken person understand that he’s precious in Your sight. Use me to touch lives in Your name.

I don’t want to just observe cathedrals through my bus window; I want to roll up my sleeves and build one! Lord, use me to build a living cathedral dedicated to Your glory.”

‘Tour-bus Christians’ in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 390-391.

This is a powerful word picture. When we read it in light of the command of the Lord to Joshua we discover that that call to step out of our comfort zone and into the unknown comes with a gift. Yet another reflection of the generosity of God. We get the gift of His presence with us, always.

The same promise comes in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). As we go forth making disciples and teaching people to obey everything Jesus commanded us, we have the promise of His presence with us.  In this light, our generosity comes into view as building disciples or living cathedrals.

Make it so Lord Jesus. And thanks for your continued prayers as Jenni and I continue to recover from Covid and regain our strength. Also join us in praying for others who suffer around the world. May we minister to them with encouragement and whatever else they need, in Jesus name.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

“I saw a stranger yesterde ‘en.
I put food in the eating place,
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place,
and in the sacred name of the Triune
He blessed myself and my house,
my cattle and my dear ones,
and the lark said in her song
often, often, often,
goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.”

Celtic Rune of Hospitality in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 366-367.

Today is day 10 of my Covid journey and the worst is behind me, thank the LORD.

If often, often, often Christ disguises himself as needy, undeserving, and irresponsible people who are desperate for help, what is our rhythm for showing hospitality to them?

Hospitality is not so much giving handouts that create dependencies or even hand ups that build disciples. Hospitality is making margin for others. Notice the Celtic Rune suggests food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, and even music in the listening place. How might we in our homes and churches create and resource such places in a welcoming way?

I want to honor my wife, Jenni, today. It’s her birthday. I am thankful for how she always thinks of the needs of others and creates margin for people. One of the many traits I love about her!

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

“Just as a table without bread is a needy one, so absence of charity is ruin to the soul, for the soul walks by love, and the man who does not love abides in death.”

The Monk of Farne in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 366.

Today we get a short and sweet post from the unnamed Monk of Farne. Researchers believe his name was John Whiterig and that he occupied the Lindisfarne hermitage from 1363-1371.

We may not ordinarily think of the opposite of gracious love as death, but without charity our generosity is worthless. God help us abide in love so that our lives are tables filled with an abundance of the bread of life.

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. John 8:3-8

“How easy it is to denounce structural injustice, institutionalized violence, social sin. And it is true, this sin is everywhere, but where are the roots of this social sin? In the heart of every human being. Present-day society is a sort of anonymous world in which no one is willing to admit guilt and everyone is responsible.

Because of this, salvation begins with the human person, with human dignity, with saving every person from sin. Individually there are among us here no two sinners alike. Each one has committed his or her shameful deeds, and yet we want to cast our guilt on the other and hide our own sin. I must take off my mask; I, too, am one of them, and I need to beg God’s pardon because I have offended God and society. This is the call of Christ.

How beautiful the expression of that woman upon finding herself pardoned and understood: ‘No one. Sir. No one has condemned me.’ Then neither do I, I who would give that truly condemning work, neither do I condemn; but be careful, brothers and sisters, since God has forgiven us so many times, let us take advantage of that friendship with the Lord which we have recovered and live it with gratitude.”

Óscar Romero of El Salvador (1917-1980) in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 329-330.

Ever wonder what Jesus wrote on the ground on the two occasions. No one knows. I think the first time He wrote that He forgave her and the second time that He loved her.

Regardless, that’s what the gospel is all forgiveness and grace.

In our recent GTP Monthly Global Prayer Hour, I opened with a prayer of confession. As Romero notes rightly, we are the problem and the gospel is the solution.

In the generosity space all too often people with wealth act like the problem is outside of them and they are the solution. While we may participate with God in administering change, the solution always has been and always will be Jesus Christ.

As we tackle challenges the right starting place is confession. We must “take the mask off” and acknowledge that we humans are the source of the problem, and ask God to bring hope, help, and healing.

As we start another week, pause to confess your sins and then celebrate with gratitude like the adulterous woman, that you are a friend of Jesus. Give thanks for God’s generosity which is the foundation for any generosity we may exhibit.

Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Forgive me. I am part of the problem. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the solution. Help me make it known to this broken and hurting world. Amen.