Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, March 8, 2025
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
I mean, how many times do we need to hear it? All the times, apparently. We have a perverse tendency to forget, over and over again, the simple basic truths of Jesus’ message. This one is about humility. We’re not the greatest. We’re not first. We’re not going to ‘lord it over’ others. We are to give in a way that the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing. We are to pray in secret and give alms in secret and fast without anyone knowing. And even when we are able to cast out demons, for crying out loud, we’re not supposed to make a big deal about it. We’re just supposed to be grateful that God loves us and that Jesus saved us. And it’s from this place of intense gratitude that our love and service flows without expectation of return. Not even a little recognition. (And, sure, it’s nice to get recognition, and you can accept it. But, you know, it’s not the point. It should never be the point.)
With God, all things are possible. With God, lives can be utterly transformed. Healing and wholeness can happen. Love can flow freely where it was once stopped up with resentment and bitterness and regret. And if we play a part in facilitating that flow, great. But any ability we have to carry out God’s beautiful work in the world is the result of God’s grace.
Where has God helped me to be an agent for healing in the various communities of which I am a part?
