Heaven Opened

Michaelmas IV

Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

— John 1

When the Battle Is Already Lost

Michaelmas III — Revised

Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah.

— Revelation 12

A New Man

Michaelmas II

…and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

— Psalm 103

And I Did Not Know It

Michaelmas I

This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

— Genesis 28

Closer Than I Think

Who Is Really Far from Jesus?

Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.

— Matthew 21

Painfully Radical

Being in Full Accord and of One Mind

…be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

— Philippians 2

Still Teachable

The Person Who Teaches Must Still Be Taught

I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.

— Psalm 78

He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly.

— Psalm 25

I Forgot to Pray

Is the Lord Among Us or Not?

Is the Lord among us or not?

— Exodus 17

O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

— Ezekiel 18

Go and Learn

St. Matthew’s Day III

Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."

— Matthew 9

Equipped for Good

What Good Can I Do Right Now?

…equipped for every good work.

— 2 Timothy 3

Turn My Eyes

What Is Worth My Attention?

So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people.

— Proverbs 3

Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless.

— Psalm 119

There Is Still Time

Why Are You Still Standing Here?

He said to them, "Why are you standing here idle all day?"

— Matthew 20

That's Evidence

What Opposition Cannot Take Away

...in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation.

— Philippians 1

Seek. Ponder. Seek Again.

Finding God Is Not the End of Seeking

Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face.

— Psalm 105

I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty and all your marvelous works.

— Psalm 145

Enough Light to See

The Crowd, the Prophet, and the Way Forward

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.

— Exodus 16

And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?

— Jonah 4

When I Am Lifted Up

Holy Cross Day, Part Three

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

— John 12

A New Creation

Holy Cross Day, Part Two

For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!

— Galatians 6

He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death.

— Philippians 2

Ashamed

Holy Cross Day, Part One

All who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed.

— Isaiah 45

...when he comes to judge the earth.

— Psalm 98

The Ledger

Seventy-Seven Chances to Let It Go

Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

— Matthew 18

Welcome. Don’t Quarrel.

I Couldn't Get Past the First Verse

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions.

— Romans 14

When Israel Came Out

First You Go. Then You Sing.

When Israel came out of Egypt...

— Psalm 114

I will sing to the Lord...

— Exodus 15

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

— Psalm 103

I've Got Your Back

When God Moves Out of Sight

But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?"

— Genesis 50

...and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them.

— Exodus 14

Build Upon It

Labor Day, Part Two

Like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it.

— 1 Corinthians 3

If your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.

— Matthew 6

Nine Ladies Dancing

The Ninth Month of Christmas

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

— Galatians 5:22–23

You have turned my wailing into dancing.

— Psalm 30

The Work of Our Hands

Labor Day, Part One

Without them no city can be inhabited, and wherever they live, they will not go hungry.

— Sirach 38

He put their feet on a straight path to go to a city where they might dwell.

— Psalm 107

Prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.

— Psalm 90

Listen

The Goal of a Difficult Conversation

...and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church...

— Matthew 18

The Edges of Love

When Love Requires a No

Let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.

— Romans 13

Joyful on Their Beds

What We Carry Into the Night

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds.

Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.

— Psalms 149 and 119

The Closest Neighbor

God's Economy Begins Nearby

If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one.

Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

— Exodus 12; Ezekiel 33