God of light, be the hope of our suffering. Keep us from the darkness of sin and greed; keep us from the mindless quest for superiority and success, from the depravity of hatred and anger. Astonish us with your mercy and love so that we may never forget your faithful compassion. Let us use this time of waiting to recover our bearings and refrain from afflicting anyone with our own sins, no matter how insignificant they may seem to be. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I implore your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think of your ways,
I turn my feet to your decrees;
60 I hurry and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes.
Psalm 119 - New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading)
Zechariah 3:1-10 - Revelation 4:1-8 - Matthew 24:45-51

Time is quite an enigma for many people - perhaps even most, since humans are typically devoid of much patience.
This is especially true as an adverb, as we wonder when something is going to occur (not when something happened). In Mark's gospel, as Jesus sits on the Mount of Olives opposite the incredible edifice of Herod's temple, of his disciples ask, "When will the massive stones comprising the temple be thrown down, not one to be left on top of another?" When, indeed.
Prophets (including Amos, Joel, and Micah) described When with utterances of impending gloom and darkness, yet they also called for restoration of Judah and Jerusalem featuring beauty and grace. This is When indeed, when hatred, mistrust, and inequality will be of the past.
Yet while we don't know when the When will occur, may we play an integral role to help justice roll down like waters and find shalom which God has intended for all of us to share with each other. While we live in the now and the not yet, may time never be our master; let us establish patience in waiting for the return of the One who exemplified humility and loved all without exception.
Yes, we are all broken, hopefully availing to us more motivation to accompany the hungry, love the unloved and embrace all we meet with the light and love of Christ. Yes, Jesus who came from a lowly family to testify to the word the absolute truth. Yes, the Lamb of God who is Truth and takes away the sin of the world. When indeed.
Bob Swanson, Intern , Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbus OH