Ordinary Time Daybook: The smallest acts (8A)

8A.landscape-jian-chong-min-b-1947-china.jpg

I'm looking forward to sharing with you a weekly(ish) Ordinary Time Daybook devotional post for the remaining 22 weeks between Pentecost and Advent. Ordinary Time is the longest season of the church calendar - a season of working and resting with Christ as he brings God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 

You can read here for a brief description of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time.

Look:  Landscape, Jian Chong Min (Source)

Listen*:  In Peace, Matt Searles, feat. Janice Cowherd - Lyrics | Spotify | YouTube 

Read**: Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Jeremiah 28:5-9; Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42 

Daily Office Readings for the coming week:

Monday (6/29): Psalm 106; Numbers 22:1-21; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 21:12-22

Tuesday (6/30): Psalm 121-126; Numbers 22:21-38; Romans 7:1-12; Matthew 21:23-32

Wednesday (7/1): Psalm 119:145-176; Psalm 128-130; Numbers 22:41-23:12; Romans 7:13-25; Matthew 21:33-46

Thursday (7/2): Psalm 131-135; Numbers 23:11-26; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 22:1-14

Friday (7/3): Psalm 140-143; Numbers 24:1-13; Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 22:15-22

Saturday (7/4): Psalm 137; 144; 104; Numbers 24:12-25; Romans 8:18-25; Matthew 22:23-40

Pray:  Book of Common Prayer, Collect for Fourth Sunday After The Pentecost

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and on earth: Put away from us all hurtful things, and give us those things that are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Do:  Today's gospel reading invites us into the tension of work and rest. Spend some time this week meditating and praying from the passage.

Here it is from The Message, which I find deeply inviting:

“We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God’s messenger. Accepting someone’s help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing.” - Matthew 10:40-42

Also, consider joining us for 3 (online) contemplative retreats this summer to hear God's invitation for the large work and the smallest acts for contending for peace and justice.

The first mini-retreat is this Tuesday, June 30!

You can find all the registration details here.

Spiritual Practices for Living as an Antiracist Person _title card.png.jpg

*Listen to my entire playlist on Spotify: Ordinary Time 2020 . Add it to your account by clicking ‘Follow.’

** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer and include both Morning and Evening Psalms (Year 2).