Monday, 20 September, 2004

This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member John Caron.



This series of devotions will reflect on the rich material contained in the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW). Some of the texts will be familiar to those in the Lutheran tradition while others will be from infrequently used liturgies.



And as we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, help us to prepare for the world to come, doing the work which you have given us to do while it is day, before that night comes when no one can work.

Service of the Word

LBW, p. 129

Two groups make strange bedfellows: the ones who with their religious zealousness preach a God who abandons the earth and all who are deemed as "unsaved" and the ones who reject any concept of God and who see the world and all in it as raw material for their quest for power and control. Ironically both groups are close in their thinking about our earth and those who live in it. Both quickly count those outside of their sphere of vision as expendable, disposable commodities. This prayer, in contrast to these voices, calls us to be strangers (ones who have their origin elsewhere (Baptism)) and pilgrims (ones who travel and seek out their destination with a sense of mission and calling). The point of the prayer is not that we must "save" everybody before God chooses those who are cast out (as if creation were one giant reality show). Rather the prayer reminds us that we have opportunities to share God's love and grace daily. The "night" is the night of lost opportunities to be the presence of Christ to one another.



Connection: Pilgrim, be the love of Christ each and every day. Opportunities abound to speak of the redemptive reign of God. More importantly, opportunities abound to be the redemptive presence of God. The Holy Spirit is that presence of grace within each of us. Ministry is allowing that presence to be felt by others through us.



Prayer: While it is day, may your Holy Spirit be your presence to those we encounter this day. And in being so open, may we also receive the very same ministry of grace from those we meet on our pilgrimage through your good earth.