story, tuesday

Tuesday, June 16

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be completely captured by the depth and wonder of what you did for me on the cross.  Help it to let me know how extravagant the love you have for me really is.  The depth of your love and your forgiveness is completely overwhelming.  Thank you.  Amen.

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Journal: Do you feel like you have been forgiven much, or forgiven little?  What does his forgiveness do within you?  What response does it cause to rise up from within you?  Where do you find yourself in this story?  How does it speak to your own?

Reflection: The rabbis guide their people with stories; ministers usually guide with ideas and theories.  We need to become storytellers again, and so to multiply our ministry by calling around us the great witnesses who in different ways offer guidance to doubting hearts.
     One of the remarkable qualities of the story is that it creates space.  We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place.  The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate.  The story invites us to an encounter, a dialog, a mutual sharing.
     A story that guides is a story that opens a door and offers space in which to search and boundaries to help us find what we seek, but it does not tell us what to do or how to do it.  The story brings us into touch with the vision and so guides us.  Elie Wiesel writes, "God made man because he loves stories."  As long as we have stories to tell to each other there is hope. (The Living Reminder by Henri J. M. Nouwen)

Prayers

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, that you that every one of us has been forgiven much.  Therefore, help us each to love much.  In your name and for your sake.  Amen.