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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

[In Gethsemane] Jesus rejects violence as the means to deal with conflict and confrontation. “No more of this!” he cries out after violence is tried. Love of enemies is hard to practice when weapons hold the day. But Jesus bids us here to something deeper than deciding whether to brandish arms in the face of enemies. The challenge is to reconstitute the way we think and speak and react to those with whom we are in conflict. He summons us to be more creative in facing opposition than resorting to character assassination and gossip that fights fire with fire and leaves us all with burns on our hands and spirits. The challenge is to reject policies and practices that promote or ignore violence not only in society but also in our families and neighborhoods.

—John Indermark, Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus, A Lenten Study (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

What creative choice might arise if you remember Jesus in times of opposition? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
—Luke 22:49-51 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy One, challenge me today to see the world as you see it. Challenge me to seek your way and to not settle for what might be the norm.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

At times, life seems like a jumble of loose ends, but God sees from another perspective—weaving a tapestry of life and redemption for the whole world, with each person’s story as part of that narrative. Discover God Was with Me All Along: A Guide for Capturing Your Memories and Telling Your Story, new from Upper Room Books.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted February 27, 2021 8:33 am

    I will try to answer this well given the fact that I am currently engaged in a conflict that will determine the future for me. How to be more “creative” in this legal battle for my solvency rather than being destitute…when it is the law that is the rules of the conflict. There is not exactly much leeway to be creative within the constraints of the law. In personal encounters I have indeed used ceativity in order to deal with h’s temper and furies.
    Prayers for Ally and David and may both heal from their health issues as well as be strengthened by the Lord.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, may the Lord ease Larry’s sorrow and loneliness and Jill’s concerns.
    Prayers for Robert, may he be safe and well despite his prolonged silence. I have previously expressed consternation regarding the fact that should something happen to a regular poster the rest of us will not be privy to the information. I have alerted Megan to this site and told her to post if something should happen to me.

  • Ally Posted February 27, 2021 9:41 am

    Sometimes I figuratively want to strike with the sword; a sucker punch in a political discussion. Christ said “no more of this” . Jesus, help me to do as You would do.
    God has done a work for sure. David and I prayed , asking God for a solution: him getting the help he needs, and to help me channel the anger toward ER staff into something positive. A very old friend with a background in social work and patient advocacy has worked at some of the largest hospitals in the south. He gave me good advice on how to advocate for David. The hospital case manager really came through. She contacted a rehab hospital connected with the hospital system. The rehab SW reached out to us about noon yesterday advising that e everything was set up if David wanted to come. I asked him and he agreed that he needs more care than I can give him at home. So we checked him into the rehab, which is a lovely facility with compassionate, caring staff. He will receive more intensive physical therapy than home health can offer, help pain has management, and occupational therapy. Not sure how long he will stay: long enough to regain some stability. I can visit him every day when therapy is done. We are so thankful to God, our Way maker. Can’t visit until 4, so ill do some laundry, pick up groceries, and rest a little. Please continue prayers for us. Julie, I pray that your conflict can be resolved in a way that contains justice for you and Megan. Glad the little kittyvis doing better. I love little house panthers😊 . Jill, I pray you enjoy your tournament and Larry has some fun watching you play. I know y’all are looking forward to Florida. Prayers also as you transition to in-person learning with your students. I to am concerned about Robert. I tried to find him on Facebook but no luck. I pray he is well and we hear from him soon. Praying that all our regulars are well. May we continue to seek God’s peace in these crazy times. Love you all and be blessed!

  • April Posted February 27, 2021 10:53 am

    Creative choice….yes, I have choices in all situations….and this thought is empowering!! I listened to a webinar when the speaker talked about a tool box of ways to deal with Covid…..actually I had heard her speak a year ago when Covid was just starting and now a year later. The tool box holds valuable tools to deal with Covid or any situation. She starts with A and goes to Z with many insightful thoughts. The ones I remember most are songs and Bible verses. I am thinking of making my own toolbox as I am more intent on learning and have had a year of “extra” time to think and study.
    A choice that I am making is how I respond to another person who has a couple of habits I do not think are healthy. I have tried a few verbal thoughts, emails with information of these habits, not saying anything….but the other day, I noticed that when a situation arose that the habit could not be continued for 24 hours, it was not…..their own choice for not continuing the habit stopped it from occurring for 24 hours….but then, it has started again. New insight for me and answer to what I should do….pray for wisdom for the person to make healthy choices…my “job” is to lift this situation to God, so I will. I am also trying to provide options for the person to choose from, to empower them to see that they do have choices. No more of what I had tried before….on to something new.
    I lift each of you up to Our Lord and ask Him to walk beside you through every minute of the day or night. I rejoice when I read that solutions have been provided and you are going forward with them, and I wait in prayer with you for answers. And I continue to pray for those who have not posted for some time…I know that God is holding them, as well as each of us, in the palm of His hand.

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