With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment . . . For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. (Philemon 8-9, 15-16)
Reflection
In 1848, social reformer, abolitionist, and orator Fredrick Douglass wrote a letter to his former enslaver on the anniversary of his emancipation. In the letter, he recounts cruel treatment at the hands of his enslaver, thanks God for the ability to escape, and asks about his enslaved family members. Despite the injustice he experienced, he ends the letter in this way:
I will now bring this letter to a close, you shall hear from me again unless you let me hear from you. I intend to make use of you as a weapon with which to assail the system of slavery—as a means of concentrating public attention on the system, and deepening their horror of trafficking in the souls and bodies of men. I shall make use of you as a means of exposing the character of the American church and clergy—and as a means of bringing this guilty nation with yourself to repentance. In doing this I entertain no malice towards you personally. There is no roof under which you would be more safe than mine, and there is nothing in my house which you might need for your comfort, which I would not readily grant. Indeed, I should esteem it a privilege, to set you an example as to how mankind ought to treat each other. I am your fellow man, but not your slave
https://glc.yale.edu/letter-thomas-auld-september-3-1848
Frederick Douglass writes about showing his former enslaver “how mankind ought to treat each other”. How does Douglass’ offer of hospitality rightly restore his God-given value and dignity? Furthermore, how does his offer of hospitality echo the examples we see in the life of Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, you forgive our sins and ask us to do the same. Give us the strength to forgive those who have wronged us. Give us courage to ask forgiveness when we have wronged another. In Jesus, restore us in peace. Amen.