Monday, October 8, 2012

Today’s text

Mark 10:17-21

He was setting out on a journey when a man ran up, knelt before him and put this question to him, 'Good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false witness; You shall not defraud; honor your father and mother.' And he said to him, 'Master, I have kept all these since my earliest days.' Jesus looked steadily at him and he was filled with love for him, and he said, 'You need to do one thing more. Go and sell what you own and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'

Reflection

Some days are designed to alter your consciousness. This is what Sabbath is to be, a day to re-enter your right mind so you might dwell there through the week. Autumn days, too, seem intended for this change of mind.

We travel streets of fading color, reminded that the beauty we are and see does not last forever. It beckons the eye to linger, to take in the best show in town that comes for free.

While it carries the melancholy awareness that summer ends and we do, too, it speaks a deeper truth.

The beauty that surrounds us, the beauty we each are, is given. Life and color comes without our asking as the first and original blessing of the One who loves to bless.

Autumn days and Sabbath time bring awareness that we do nothing to gain life’s goodness. We can only receive with gratitude from the One whose goodness is spoken in every leaf on every tree and in every breath we take.

Awareness of the towering goodness of the One who is all good, and the good in all, arises with each conscious breath. It comes in each moment of awareness that we are surrounded by splendor we did not make.

Each conscious breath: Jesus calls us from sleep to consciousness awareness that there is One who is good and who is giver of life. Look at that One. Look for that One. Feel that One in every … single … breath. Touch that One every moment that love and beauty touches you.

Be amazed that you are alive and your skin can feel the brisk bite of autumn days. Hear the whisper of the breeze. It awakens awareness of the love of the One who is good. Breathe it in until it fills your lungs with life and your soul with happiness.

Awakened souls know: You do nothing to inherit life, and you do nothing to inherit the treasure of heaven. All is gift from the One who is good.

Look and pray to see the wonder of it all.

Pr. David L. Miller