Friday, August 3, 2007

Today’s text

Luke 11:11-13

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you the, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Prayer

I have no trouble giving to my children, Gracious One, or my grandchildren. It brings me pleasure, although they do wear me out.

Is that the point? Do you take pleasure in giving gifts to those who call upon you from their heart, and even when they don’t call upon you? For I sometimes give to my beloved before a request can be made. And how much more generous is your heart than mine?

I feel the warmth of your smile in these words, Holy One. Eager, you are, to give abundance of life to body and soul. For you give the Holy Spirit, who is that rippling rush of self-giving love that streams through your inner life, making green and vibrant all it touches.

It touches us, and you smile. The Spirit’s breeze embraces our flesh, cooling our fevers and filling us heart and lung with the life you live, the love you give, the hope you fan and the desire you are. That desire springs to life in every nation as you take pleasure in giving your Spirit, moving your children to heights and depths of love they thought far beyond them.

So give your Hoy Spirit, Dearest Lord, especially where sorrow and fear hang thick, for we need a love far beyond our own to complete our healing … and your joy. Amen.

Pr. David L. Miller