Above: Thomas Merton Sign
Image Source = W.marsh
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The Collect:
Lord God, with endless mercy you receive
the prayers of all who call upon you.
By your Spirit show us the things we ought to do,
and give us the grace and power to do them,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 22
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The Assigned Readings:
Deuteronomy 4:1-4
Psalm 112:1-9 [10]
1 John 5:1-5
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Some Related Posts:
Deuteronomy 4:
http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/nineteenth-day-of-lent/
http://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/proper-17-year-b-3/
1 John 5:
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/fifth-day-of-epiphany/
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/sixth-day-of-epiphany/
http://lenteaster.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/thirty-sixth-day-of-easter-sixth-sunday-of-easter-year-b/
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They have given freely to the poor,
and their righteousness stands fast forever;
they will hold up their head with honor.
The wicked will see it and be angry;
they will gnash their teeth and pine away;
he desires of the wicked will perish.
–Psalm 112:9-10, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006)
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The two main readings for today pertain to the Law of God–a law which is not a burden (unless one treats it as such)–a law written on proverbial human hearts. This is the law which our Lord and Savior summarized in two commandments. Thus loving God and loving our fellow human beings as we love ourselves are part of the same process. We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, if we do not love our fellow human beings, whom we can see.
The late Thomas Merton recalled a profound spiritual experience: one day, in a city, he realized that he loved everybody. This ethic informed his ethical choices. How could it not do so? For as we think, thus we are.
So we have a tangible standard: the example of Jesus, who set a very high bar. The call of Christian discipleship is the invitation to follow him–frequently a risky proposition. Our Lord and Savior’s active compassion caused much difficulty for him with certain people. Indeed, the Bible and the past are replete with stories of others who got into deep trouble due to their active compassion. Many of these people faced persecution and/or death because of it.
Yet active compassion is our call. And, even when we face persecution and/or death for following Christ in it, we may trust in God’s faithfulness, even if some of the promises (such as wealth) of Psalm 112 do not come true. Sometimes the result of faithfulness in this world is ruin and reproach; the good news awaits us on the other side.
So, O reader, what do those around you need? This not necessarily the same as what they want. And whose needs is God calling you to meet, at least partially?
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
OCTOBER 8, 2013 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF WILFRED THOMASON GRENFELL, MEDICAL MISSIONARY TO NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
THE FEAST OF SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN
THE FEAST OF ERIK ROUTLEY, HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF WILLIAM DWIGHT PORTER BLISS, EPISCOPAL PRIEST; AND RICHARD THEODORE ELY, ECONOMIST
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Adapted from this post:
http://adventchristmasepiphany.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/devotion-for-thursday-before-the-fifth-sunday-after-epiphany-year-a-elca-daily-lectionary/
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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