George Love, Pastor of Hebron Presbyterian Church, continues sharing his thoughts on the Daily Lectionary Series of Bible readings. You will find his most recent comments at the top, with earlier ones below. See earlier ones in January by following this link.
We have also added daily links to Presbyterian Church (USA) website where you will find the Scripture readings for that day. We hope you will find this a helpful way to join us in seeking God's message for our daily lives.
February 3
First Reading: Genesis 21:1-21
Psalm: Psalm 12
Second Reading: Hebrews 11:13-22
Gospel: John 6:41-51
"All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them." - Hebrews 11:13
The promises of God are trustworthy. That is what I see in scripture and what I believe I have witnessed throughout my life of faith. The promises of God are also completely on God's timetable. I have also witnessed this along the way in my faith journey. Both of these things are important to hold together, because the tension between them is quite similar to the tension that arises when my idea of what God's timing should be is different then God's.
Hebrews is telling the story of God's activity in the history of the great stories of the Hebrew people. God makes promises to Abraham and then to subsequent generations. They all participate. They all play a role. None of the names listed in Hebrews 11 see the totality of the promise play out in their lifetimes. They are all held up as examples. They saw the promises "from a distance and greeted them."
We may experience some long days, but the reality for all of us is that given the broad canvas of human history, we have a moment. God's promises are trustworthy. Some of them we will experience and see them come to fruition. Some, we will put our trust in God and live in faith, and see the promises from a distance and greet them.
February 2
First Reading:
Genesis 19:1-29
Psalm: 62
Second Reading:
Hebrews 11:1-12
Gospel: John 6:27-40
"Jesus said, 'I am the bread of life.'" - John 6:35
Jesus did things like define himself in terms of what he was making available to us or that to which he was (and is) providing access. He didn't point to himself and simply stop there and demand praise and worship. In the face of questions, and in some instances opposition, he was determined to share what he could do in our lives. What his presence could make possible.
He also doesn't force it on everyone. He shares himself and he allows the people in the Gospel stories, and again also us today, to listen and consider and make our decision about how we will respond to what he is offering. "I am the bread of life." It's so basic. Here, not long after he offered the Samaritan woman "living water," he now offers "the bread of life."
These are not flashy, high profile, luxury items. Water. Bread. Fundamental necessities of life. When we truly embrace him, when we listen to what is being offered, and gratefully receive, it is our most basic need that is being met.
February 1
First Reading:
Genesis 18:16-33
Psalm: Psalm 108
Second Reading:
Galatians 5:13-25
Gospel: Mark 8:22-30
"Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn." - Psalm 108:2
For most of the first forty or so years of my life I was not a morning person. My preference was being up late, reading, holding on to the last of the day. I wasn't too concerned about welcoming the sunrise. And then for some reason I can't explain, things shifted. I didn't stop enjoying being up late, but I also began to enjoy the mornings. This had been true for awhile, but became clear to me during the first year or so of COVID. There was a space in the morning, before it felt like most of the world was awake, that began to feel very special to me. So much seemed out of control in those days that there was a comfort in the stillness before the day could get cranked up and set life in unpredictable motion.
That said, while I would say I am a morning person now, I don't think I'm an "awake the dawn" person. I'm more an edge quietly into the dawn sort of person, ideally in a quiet spot with a Bible, a cup of coffee and a couple of New York Times puzzles.
The psalmist is bringing a little more energy to the moment. Awakening the soul, calling for harp and lyre, awakening the dawn! Not edging into the day, but leaning in with thanks to God with songs of praise.
I don't think I have it in me everyday to awake the dawn. But maybe it would be worth a try, to see what it's like. To meet the day, not tentatively, but joyfully, eyes wide open, thanking God for the day that has not yet unfolded. How might an orientation of praise as the first sunlight comes into view prepare us to be alert to opportunities to serve and to experience God?