Living Stones

 

Readings 102826

I think of the Deacons in our Diocese,
and how different we are.
Married, single, widowed.
Professors, doctors, professionals, 

 retirees and working men.
Introverts and extroverts,
quiet men, and those of us, like me,
who are a little loud.

Yet this is how Jesus has always built His Church.

Before He called the Apostles,
He spent a whole night in prayer.
And out of that silent conversation with the Father,
He chose Simon the Zealot, a political radical,
and Jude Thaddeus, a quiet servant.

Not isolated superstars,
but ordinary, flawed men,
bound together on one capstone: Himself.

That is why St. Paul tells us today
that we are no longer strangers.
We are living stones,
built into God's own home.

Our gifts differ.
Our stories differ.
Our mission is one.

And when Christ holds us together,
our differences do not divide us.
They strengthen the temple.

Lord, hold us together. Amen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

You call people 

of every story and season.
Build us together 

upon the firm foundation of Your love.
Use our different gifts 

for Your glory and Your mission.
Keep us united as living stones 

in Your holy temple. 

Amen.

The Love We Give Away

 

Readings 102726

We begin learning about love
at the very start of life.
It's the first thing we need,
and the last thing we lose.
But Christ shows us what kind of love it is.

Paul says,
"Be subordinate to one another
out of reverence for Christ."
Husbands, love your wives
"as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her."
That is not power over.
That is love poured out.

And how does this Kingdom grow?
Like a mustard seed,
planted quietly,
until it becomes a great bush.
Like yeast a woman mixed into flour,
hidden, humble,
until the whole batch rises.

No trumpets. No crowds.
Just small, quiet acts of love, repeated.
A word of patience.
A sacrifice no one sees.
A choice to put the other first.

That's how a marriage, a family,
a world is changed.

So give love away today,
in small ways, in hidden ways.
Because the love we give away
is the only love we keep,

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Teach me to love

as You loved, 

with a heart willing to serve.
Make my small acts of kindness 

fruitful in Your Kingdom.
May the love I give away today 

draw others closer to You. 

Amen.