Saturday, December 26, 2020
Great wisdom
An excerpt from Acts 6:10 (NRSV)
They could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Reflection from Max Smith:
These are the charges leveled against Stephen, one of the first Deacons of the early church. Stephen is said to have been full of grace and power and was a superb orator, which infuriated some members of the churches he served. Their bitter envy prevailed, and he was arrested for blasphemy and stoned to death.
People are tough! Hard to please, hard to serve, hard to inspire and hard to transform. Yet how else would we live? To serve, to inspire, and to transform is the glorious path we, the followers of Jesus are invited onto every day. Alleluia! Alleluia!
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Psalm 148; Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15; Acts 6:8-15; 7:51-60
Painting by Jon Dutcher, “African Sunrise.”
Music
“To the Lamb on the Throne”
by Charles Wesley, arr. Dan Forrest
“Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and pow’r, all wisdom and might;
All honor and blessing with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing, and infinite love. Worthy the Lamb!”
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