Luke 6:20-31 (NRSV)
Read Luke 6:20-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 20Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Verse 21"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Verse 22"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Verse 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. Verse 24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Verse 25"Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Verse 26"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Verse 27"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, Verse 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Verse 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Verse 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Verse 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Devotion
This Sunday is All Saints Sunday; a day to remember those who have gone before us in the faith.
Sometimes we imagine those saints as people whose allegiance to God somehow transcended every other loyalty. Somehow, the words that came out of their mouths and the works that flowed out of their lives bore witness to their faith.
Yet in the Lutheran church we teach that saints aren't just found in heaven. God names us as saints in baptism, and calls to live holy lives, set apart, on earth.
As Jesus describes it in Luke, this kind of life sounds nigh unto impossible. Yet I think living set apart has less to do with following a prescribed order and more to do with being open to the possibilities that God puts in front of us. How will you respond to the ways you can be a saint today?
Prayer
Lord, on those days when I'm not feeling so saintly, remind me that in your eyes, I am perfectly made. Give me the patience and the courage to stand up for what I believe. And help me claim my place in your kingdom. Amen.