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| As we enter the seventh week of Easter, countries around the world implement diverse reopening strategies after COVID-19 shut-downs. Even in these uncertain times, we rely on the stability of our faith and find sustenance in joining together for prayer, spiritual reflection, and a reading of God’s word. |
| | Wednesday, Seventh Week of Easter
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| The Up or Down Choice (Deuteronomy 28:1-6, 15-19, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
28:1 If you will only obey the Lord your God, by diligently observing all his commandments that I am commanding you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth; 2 all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Lord your God:
3 Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your livestock, both the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock.
5 Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
6 Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
15 But if you will not obey the Lord your God by diligently observing all his commandments and decrees, which I am commanding you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you:
16 Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field.
17 Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
18 Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock.
19 Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.
Healing in Gadarenes (Matthew 8:28-34, NRSV)
Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
8:28 When he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. 31 The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. 33 The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.
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| | God Knows My Name
By Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, co-chair of the NCC’s Racial Justice Initiative and the Minister of Stewardship & Missions, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Largo MD.
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” -Isaiah 43:1-3
During the days of “social distancing” I have given a lot of thought to what is really important in my life. The stay at home orders didn’t change the fact that I live over 700 miles away from my immediate family. It has made me more keenly aware of the need to stay in touch on a more intentional and consistent basis.
A few days ago, I called to talk to my sister. When I asked how she was doing, she said rather impatiently, I don’t’ know. I don’t know how I feel right now. I don’t know. I just don’t know. I asked if she had a favorite scripture she could read to help her and she said, all I can tell you is “He knows my name!”
As we ended our call, I sent her a short list of scriptures including Isaiah 43 and the link to the song, “You Know My Name” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. I was trying to lift her up even and I encouraged myself as I listened to Tasha Cobbs Leonard sing a sermon:
Yes, God knows my name. And oh how He walks with me
Yes oh how He talks with me. And oh how He tells me that I am His own…
The stay at home orders may have changed the way we connect with each other, but God’s Word reminds us, He knows us and no matter where we are, He is there to comfort, counsel and confirm that we need not be afraid. God is with us.
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| Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity. |
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