Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

John 3:11-16 (NRSV)

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

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Reflect

We saw the videos. We saw the faces of angry, bitter, hate-filled racists who gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia. We saw the beatings, the car ramming into the crowd. We heard the despicable chants of hate-filled people inciting violence against anyone who did not share their racist hatred.

It was hard to see Christ anywhere. But then I did see him. I saw the photograph of clergy people, such as myself, standing in a line, arms locked. There were ministers, priests, imams, and rabbis standing together in opposition to the haters. The haters were armed with assault weapons, clubs, helmets, and flak jackets. The people of faith were lifting up the Son of Man, the One who descended from heaven, was beaten, spat upon, killed and then ascended into eternal life.

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Pray

Loving God, give us the courage and strength to stand together in the face of evil. Amen.

Go with God.