Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006

Today’s reading

Philippians 1:1-6

“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6).

Prayer

We begin again, dearest Friend. Some of us begin here for the first time, others for the last. The semester starts regardless of our moods or desires, whether we are ready or not. How would you have us begin? With confidence? With surety? There is little in us to make this truly possible, let alone sustainable. We know ourselves all too well to be brimming with confidence. But you invite us to an assurance that comes from knowing you, which is to know a love that never turns back. And you do not leave us without evidence.

The good work you have begun, the glow of faith, however faltering; the love we know in ourselves and in those lives that grace our own; the joy of hope stirred by the words of Scripture or an unsuspecting soul who has no idea how they have blessed us; the bread received at your table and at the tables of friends, which are also your table; the life, the growth, the taste of peace and patience you have given us—your gifts, all of them. Thank you. “Look at them,” you say. “You can’t begin to know what I have begun in you, but know this: I will bring it to fulfillment.” That alone is hope sufficient for the day. dearest Friend, let me know you so well this day that I may dwell in the joyous confidence of those who rest in the determination of your eternal love. Amen.


Pr. David L. Miller
Dean of the Chapel,
Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation