06 Apr Daily Devotion Monday 4/6/20
In the background
Scripture of the Day: John 12: 1-11
Daily Reminder: There they gave a dinner for [Jesus]. Martha served…(v. 2)
Mary’s audacious act in this passage gets most of our focus. She anoints Jesus’ feet with perfume so costly the money to buy it would feed dozens. Even more alarming, she dries his feet with her hair!
Meanwhile, we hardly notice Martha. She is int he background, serving a meal so the others can gather at the table to eat, share, and learn. Martha’s serving is also a channel of grace that makes Mary’s anointing possible.
As a young adult, I volunteered on the altar guild with women my grandmother’s age. In the church kitchen we hand washed tiny communion cups – a tedious job but for the stories the women shared: stories of the congregation, its neighborhood, their lives. We worked together so that next week our community could again gather around the table to learn of and share God’s amazing grace. And it dawned on me: our work and storytelling, little noticed in the background, was a channel of God’s grace too.
God, help me notice and learn from people in the background during my day, for Jesus’ sake. Amen
Prayer Concern: Altar guilds and communion servers
Psalm 35:5-11; Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15
Daily Prayers
Morning: Your death and resurrection are my strength and life, O Christ, raising me from fear into the joy of knowing that you are always near. May streams of peace and grace flow through my heart to all I touch this day. Amen.
Mealtime: Jesus, you blessed bread and broke it to open the eyes of faith to your loving presence. Open our eyes to your presence at this table, that we may taste your goodness in the gifts you give and the love we share. Amen.
Evening: You, Lord, are my rest. Only in you do I know the peace I crave. I release every thought and care into your love. Grant gentle rest this night, that I may rise to know you in the beauty of a new day. Amen.
Worship With Us.
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