As part of my own daily devotions I am posting my own paraphrases of the the Daily Lectionary here on my blog (along with a short reflection on one or more of the readings and a related quote for the day).
Ephesians 6:1-9
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise:
“that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.”
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Slaves, obey your masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as you would Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that whatever good anyone does will be requited from the Lord
whether slave or free.
Masters, do the same way towards them, and give up threatening,
knowing that your Master is also in heaven
and that there is no partiality with him.
Psalm 145:10-14
All your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and all your saints bless you.
They will tell of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might;
making known to the children men your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom . . . an everlasting Kingdom
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
Luke 13:22-30
And [Jesus] passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
Then someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will seek to enter
but will not be able.
Once the master of the house has risen and shut the door,
and you begin to stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will answer you,
‘I do not know where you are from.’
Then you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
But he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’
And there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”
Reflection for Today on Luke
Just being with Jesus . . . in his presence, whether at church or during personal devotional times, is not enough. The narrow gate is much harder to enter than walking through a church door. Following Jesus entails action; it means doing the work of Jesus now. Clean hearts must be matched with dirty hands. Otherwise we may very well hear these words spoken to us: “I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!”
Quote for Today
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” – Bishop Desmond Tutu
