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| On this page you can read Brother Luke's Daily Reflections. A new one will be added every day and at the end of each month they will be moved to their own page. If you'd like to be added to Br Luke's Daily Reflection e-mail list please click here to send him a request. Please respect Br Luke's work, and ask for permission before copying these mediations. September 2009 Revised Common Lectionary : Liturgical Year "B"
Wednesday 30th Scripture: Luke 9:57-62 Reflection: Those wanting to follow Jesus, first wanted to do something else, they deemed more important. They were making their following Christ, second choice, perhaps regarding it of lesser value. Can we suggest that Jesus chastised them for their lack of commitment? How is your commitment these days?
Tuesday 29th Scripture: Luke 9:51-56 Reflection: I suspect there are times when we would all think (if not perhaps even desire to be) like James and John, and call down the fire from heaven. Ridding ourselves of people, or situations, we find difficult. Remember that Jesus rebuked his two disciples for this human thinking. Why should we be any different? The message of the gospel was/is love, not death.
Monday 28th Scripture: Luke 9:46-50 Reflection: Jesus' answer to the disciples petty, "I'm the greatest" ego squabble, was to show them that their egos and status (could we also say power) were not what was important. Like them, we also need to realise that our egos and status are not what is important. Living a gospel life is not about ego, wealth, power, status, or belonging to the "right' group. It's about love, compassion and service. Ever wonder why we make what is so simple so very difficult?
Sunday 27th Scripture: Mark 9:38-50 Reflection: Stumbling blocks can come in many shapes, forms and even disguises. There are perhaps also times when we fail to see the stumbling block at all. Jesus reminds us that these blocks weigh us down, so they need to be worked on. For us humans, this can be extraordinarily difficult process. We may even be reluctant to undertake the exercise. But we are not alone when we work on these blocks. So take heart, and be courageous.
Saturday 26th Scripture: Luke 9:43-45 Reflection: Sometimes when we try to tell someone something we believe is important, the person we are trying so hard to reach, does not hear us. This leaves us frustrated and perhaps even angry. Can you recall when a time when you were the "teller" or/and the "hearer". How did you handle the frustration?
Friday 25th Scripture: Luke 9:18-22 Reflection: "Who do you say I am" (part of verse 20). We are easily distracted into viewing Jesus simply as a reflection of what we want him to be. This reflection may be distorted, influenced by our past, or where we are now. It could reflect our biases, our shortcomings, our ego? So can you answer as Peter did? For you is Jesus "The Messiah of God", or is he something else?
Thursday 24th Scripture: Luke 9:7-9 Reflection: The rumours about who Jesus was, or could have been, were many and diverse. Herod was intrigued and made enquiries. So how do you treat rumours about people you either know or have heard about? Do you join in the rumour, perhaps even spreading it. Or do you try to find the truth for yourself?
Wednesday 23rd Scripture: Luke 9:1-6 Reflection: "He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic." (verse 3). There are some of us, who live this way, who can go on a three day visit to relatives with almost no suitcases. There are others who would have to take so many suitcases it takes 2 people to carry it all. Which one describes you? Why?
Tuesday 22nd Scripture: Luke 8:19-21 Reflection: The crowd must have been stunned to hear Jesus' reply. Yet Jesus was not excluding his family, but he was in fact widening it. All who do his work, are members of his family. They are not hired servants but family. How does this make a difference to the way you live your life?
Monday 21st Scripture: Luke 8:16-18 Reflection: It can be hard to place the lamp on the lamp-stand. Sometimes when we do, people will see it as a target, willing to use any means to put the light out. Yet in spite of these efforts, the light will continue to shine. As people of faith we can be sure that any effort to darken the light will fail. For just as there are those who want to extinguish it, look around, you will see people who God sends to help in ensuring this cannot happen.
Sunday 20th Scripture: Mark 9:30-37 Reflection: Have a look at verse 35. Some may think this only passage only applies to our religious leaders, priests, ministers, pastors (call them what you feel comfortable with), but think for a moment. What if it really applies to all Christians? Does this make you reconsider how you serve?
Saturday 19th Scripture: Luke 8:4-15 Reflection: The seed (or perhaps we should say the good news) can be snatched away, it can fade away and die within us, it can simply be wasted, or perhaps it can just lie dormant, waiting for the right soil and conditions. So, have there been times in your life when some (if not all) of these were true. How did it happen? Is perhaps the seed still just lying dormant within you?
Friday 18th Scripture: Luke 8:1-3 Reflection: We sometimes like to forget that there were a number of women who had a very important part in Jesus' ministry and earthly life. This forgetting is not only futile, it skews our views of Jesus’ earthly life. We perhaps do not need to look very far to see the same sort of support among those who love, support and encourage our lives. Let's not forget them either.
Thursday 17th Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 Reflection: Jesus contrasted the behaviour of the woman, with the behaviour of the Pharisee. The differences were stark. One showed little care, the other was extravagant in the display. What was the thing the one had, and the other didn’t? Can I suggest it was love? How are you in showing those closest and dearest to you, that you love them?
Wednesday 16th Scripture: Luke 7:31-35 Reflection: The people had an excuse, or a reason for explaining behaviour that made them uncomfortable or that they cannot understand. We see this so often in our world. Think about the last time someone did something unusual. Were there people who used every means they could to explain it away? Were you among them?
Tuesday 15th Scripture: Luke 7:11-17 Reflection: Jesus, through his compassion, raised the young man, and returned him to his widowed mother. In restoring her only son, Jesus helped to ensure a more secure future for the widow. As he does so often, Jesus gives us the example. Compassion may have been the catalyst, but action followed. Do you add the action, or just stop at compassion?
Monday 14th Scripture: Luke 7:1-10 Reflection: Notice that the centurion sent others to plead his case. He placed the life of his slave, in hands of these people. He trusted that they would be persuasive. The centurion made the request and then waited. Do we do the same? Remember Jesus listened, to them, but he saw beyond their words, to the faith of the person making the request.
Sunday 13th Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 Reflection: Scripture: Mark 8:27-38 Even when he asked, there were a variety of replies to his question “who do people, say I am?” Today some of our replies would been seen as ‘traditional’, others are rather more controversial. What is certain is that we all have a view of him and who he is. Yet if we are to spread the gospel effectively, then we need to know our response. Like Peter, we need to be confident in saying who Jesus is. Are you?
Saturday 12th Scripture: Luke 6:43-49 Reflection: Jesus tells us, each tree is known by its own fruit. Perhaps think of a tree as a gift or a ministry. As there are many trees so there are many ministries. The test is not that a particular tree exists, or that there is one of every tree. The measure is what the tree is producing. It's what our gifts, or ministries, produce that is the measure. And a good crop comes from a tree with a good network of roots – a solid foundation. Where are your tree roots planted, in firm soil or in loose fragile sand?
Friday 11th Scripture: Luke 6:39-42 Reflection: In order to see our own logs, we need to know ourselves. To do this effectively, we need to understand who we are. We do this by making an interior voyage. This is, for many of us, an uncomfortable, daunting task. Sadly it is also one that some never make. In our quest to avoid knowing ourselves, we find the fault in others. Jesus challenges this thinking, he asks us to know who we are. Can you take up his challenge?
Thursday 10th Scripture: Luke 6:27-38 Reflection: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (verse 36) Like so many of Jesus instructions, this one can be hard to fulfil. We all know that there are times when we should be merciful, when we want to be merciful, yet we are not. We opt for actions or decisions that show the almost complete opposite of what we know we want, should, or could do. Perhaps we do this when we have lost sight of love for, and of, the other.
Wednesday 9th Scripture: Luke 6:20-26 Reflection: As he so often does, Jesus turns what is expected on its head. The poor, hungry and sad are promised blessings. The rich, the full and the laughing are warned. There’s the subtlety, the world wants us to focus on the now, not the then. But look at what Jesus says. Where do you have your focus?
Tuesday 8th Scripture: Luke 6:12-19 Reflection: Notice that Luke says Jesus spent the night in prayer before he chose the twelve? This is a pattern we see repeatedly through the Gospels. What do we do when we are faced with a major decision in our lives? Do we canvass as many opinions as we can? Do we rely solely on our own thoughts? But how many of us would spend the whole night in prayer?
Wednesday 7th Scripture: Luke 6:6-11 Reflection: Perhaps what made the scribes & Pharisees angry, was not the healing, was not Jesus' controversial actions, perhaps it was because they knew he was right. Perhaps their anger was with themselves, but their pride and arrogance meant that they directed their anger at Jesus. Have you ever done this? Have you ever been so angry with yourself that you directed your anger at others? How did you feel?
Sunday 6th Scripture: Mark 7:24-37 Reflection: "He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ " (verses 27 & 28) There are I suspect those who may be disturbed by this exchange. At first glance it seems that Jesus is saying that it is OK for people to be treated differently. It seems to be contrary to "love your neighbour". But is it really? View the exchange simply as a challenge of the woman's faith. Then ask yourself this question, 'if Jesus said this to me, how would I reply'?
Saturday 5th Scripture: Luke 6:1-5 Reflection: The Pharisees lived completely by the rules. They required (and expected) others to do the same, and had no hesitation in pointing out to others their failure in complying. Jesus showed them that their understanding was limited, restricted to their interpretation of those rules. He asked them to see beyond what they thought they knew. Could it be that he asks the same of us?
Friday 4th Scripture: Luke 5:33-39 Reflection: "Jesus said to them, ‘You cannot make wedding-guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? (verse 34) There is a time and a season for everything. We seem to be very careful not to confuse a feast with a fast, so we should not be surprised at the processes we use to keep things in their respective priority. Perhaps it is only when we try to overturn the priority that we become distracted.
Thursday 3rd Scripture: Luke 5:1-11 Reflection: Notice that Peter did what was asked of him. Even though they had caught nothing all night, they did as Jesus asked. Their nets were then filled to breaking. We, likewise, can respond to God in one of two ways. We can say "why bother, this is silly/futile" and do nothing. Or we can say "OK I'll do you ask". Peter chose the second response, and was richly blessed. Which response do you choose?
Wednesday 2nd Scripture: Luke 4:38-44 Reflection: The Good news is for all, not just a select few. Just as Jesus went from town to town teaching, healing and sharing, so we must be aware of how our lives are a witness, no matter where we are. The simplest of actions may be the example that someone else needs to strengthen, or bring them to, their faith.
Tuesday 1st Scripture: Luke 4:13-37 Reflection: Words of his deeds spread, bringing people and attention. How are you at the deeds you do? Do the people around you see the deeds, or actions, of a follower of Christ? Or do they see ego and self aggrandisement?
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