Todays Reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (NRSV) Reflection This scripture urges us to be like good stewards of the manifold grace of God. The central biblical meaning of stewardship is utilizing and managing wisely all the resources that God provides, in ways that honor God and help bring forth Gods purposes in creation. Here Peter is calling us to safeguard and manage Gods grace. We are the caretakers of the gift of Gods mercy and love. Gods love is not ours to earn or possess but to receive and to share. How does the world know of Gods grace other than through people expressing love in concrete, particular ways? We are summoned to channel Gods grace by serving one another with whatever gift God has bestowed on us. When we speak, we are to speak as if we are the mouthpiece for God. When we serve, we are to rely on the strength God gives us. God desires that we be hospitable without complaining and maintain constancy in loving others, for love covers a multitude of sins. One tool to help us be good stewards is to pray regularly what is called the Prayer of St. Francis-- Prayer Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is error, truth; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer of St. Francis) Reflection written by Victoria G. Curtiss, Associate Pastor for Mission [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 12:05:58 +0000