31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN

DAY TWENTY-NINE

  • 37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. 42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

The church, filled with the Spirit and living in mutuality, is sent into the world to join God in the redemption and reconciliation of all things. It is this movement outward in unity, that allows us to participate in God’s healing work and to offer the world a foretaste of the kingdom of God. As we read these passages we are seeking to expand our imagination for how we are called to love and serve the world. In this cultural moment, how does our world most need us to live with sacrificial love? Where is God already working around us? What opportunities exist for us to boldly step out in love to glorify God and bring redemption to the brokenness around us?

As you reflect on the passage for the day, ask yourself these questions:

  • How is the heart of God being revealed in this passage?

  • What vision for the church is the Spirit providing? Is there a metaphor, picture, word, or idea that the Spirit is gifting you?

  • How is God breaking your heart and drawing you into deeper compassion for the world?

  • How can unity change our witness to the beauty of God?


TODAY’S PRAYER

Jesus, you did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to bring salvation. May your light shine brightly through your children, that in our love of one another, the unity of the Church, and our service to the world, all may see your glory and be drawn into life with you. Amen

Commentary: (Re)deem

Video Reflection

Today’s video reflection is from Todd Deatherage, Executive Director of The Telos Group