A Pilgrim
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday, September 15
Psalm 125
I grew up learning about pilgrimages and their spiritual significance in my Latina community.
During feasts the Jews also made pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This psalm, which is a song of ascent, gives us the visual of Mount Zion. In my travels I have visited many mountains, hills, and valleys. Each view left me breathless. Aerial images also give us a sense of the grandeur of God’s creation and the wisdom that only comes from a majestic God who is the architect of all things. Trusting God is a lifelong pilgrimage of faith. In life we will have ups and downs, but the wisdom of God is unshakable.
Today, you may be facing a difficult situation and you need the wisdom of God. Like the psalmist, we too can depend on the peace of God to surround us in the midst of days that challenge us to our very core.
Lord, may wisdom guide and protect us. Open the eyes of our finite understanding to treasure this sacred pilgrimage called life, knowing that every view will give us another glimpse of your amazing grace. Amen.
Lady Wisdom
Monday, September 16
Proverbs 1:20-33
Youthful zeal often ignores wisdom. Many times we ignore wisdom by thinking we ourselves know it all.
I am thankful for grace and the prayers of those who warned me of danger when I was foolishly blind. Ignorance often makes us think the older folks are out of touch and irrelevant. Rejecting wisdom is costly.
Humility heeds the words of the wise and holds them in high regard. Wisdom can come from both the old and the young. The experiences of life can teach us wisdom the hard way. Never underestimate words of wisdom. They can literally save your life.
Proverbs calls those who reject the wisdom of God, “simple ones” who “love being simple” (v. 22, NRSV). Let us pray for wisdom and when she comes, embrace her and never let her go. Let wisdom lead you.
Lord, may our ears be forever open to the treasures that lie at the feet of wisdom. Amen.
Who Am I?
Tuesday, September 17
Mark 8:27-29
My husband has often said to our boys, “Timing is everything!” I am reminded of those words in this passage. How often do we think we understand something, then in time we learn that what we thought was going on in a situation was completely the opposite? Sometimes we are clueless. The disciples still didn’t understand what was about to happen to Jesus. They were clueless. Jesus asked, “Who do people say I am?” It was a great question, but then Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Did the timing of those words pierce their hearts?
What does your community say about Jesus? How is he seen in your circle of influence? What do the people in your work, church, or neighborhood say about Jesus?
Jesus, be the Christ, the Messiah, to us. We know you are the One who gave your life for love. Amen.
Watch Your Words
Wednesday, September 18
James 3:1-12
My abuelita always warned us to watch our words. Words matter and once they are out in the world, there is no taking them back. James warns us of the tongue. As a pastor, I have seen so much trauma caused by careless, abusive words. Our tongues can get us into trouble. They need to be restrained, or they will cause much harm.
In an age of overstimulation, access to so much information and the lack of self-discipline cause many to say whatever is on their minds. Toxic speech is celebrated and encouraged. The value of restraint and wisdom is underestimated.
Listening well is a virtue. We don’t have to be the person who always has something to say. Maybe in this age of oversaturation, it will serve us better to become persons of fewer words. Anyone can tear down, but it takes great courage to verify the information at our fingertips and build our communities and cities with words that heal our land.
Lord, help us to learn to be better listeners. Let the words we speak be edifying. Amen.
Show-and-Tell
Thursday, September 19
James 3:13-18
My kids loved show-and-tell in school. One of my son’s teachers would tell the students, “Show me, and then tell me about it.” I think James was trying to demonstrate the same principle. Show me wisdom by acting in ways that demonstrate wisdom in word and deed.
A wise person does not have to strive to convince us of their wisdom. Degrees and awards don’t exemplify wisdom—grace and humility do. Godly wisdom does not strive to be heard or seen. Wisdom is gracious, full of mercy, and serves compassionately.
The wisdom of God is not jealous or unkind. It does not belittle or seek glory but is sincere. There is a quiet strength in wisdom and its words are inspiring. The wisdom of God will always challenge us to do better and be better.
Lord, give us your wisdom, which seeks to uplift the weary and the broken. Amen.
Pain Is Gain
Friday, September 20
Mark 8:31-38
Pain in life is inevitable. As a child, I saw my mom struggle with a heart condition. She defied the odds and lived into her 70s, but she prepared for the day she would no longer be able to do the things she loved. We often talked about the day she would leave this earth for a better place. When the time came, I knew what she wanted to the very last detail. Her wisdom to prepare continues to inspire our family.
Jesus never promised us a life without sorrow, pain, grief, or loss. My mom was proactive and decisive in what mattered to her, and I am thankful for the painful conversations we had. When the time came, I was ready, even though many of my extended family were not.
Jesus was preparing his disciples for the inevitable, but many of them were not ready. They failed to understand that the cross was part of the story. The pain was excruciating. The sight of blood was enough to make anyone look away, but the women stayed and followed Jesus all the way to Calvary.
Lord, may we not look away from those in pain or who are suffering. Give us grace to walk alongside them with dignity and grace. Amen.
Suffering for Doing Right
Saturday, September 21
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Life is not fair. We will suffer injustices and unfair treatments. People will let us down, betray, and use us, which is part of living in a fallen world. Wisdom is our greatest asset in a broken world.
Jesus forgave and extended grace to his tormentors. Trusting God when people mistreat us is not easy, but it is necessary to live a life of freedom. Bitterness is a luxury we cannot afford. As Isaiah says, “He who vindicates me is near” (v. 8).
Wisdom compels us to let God ultimately settle the scores of injustices. We know that in the end God will settle all things. He is a much better accountant than we are. As a pastor and advocate for marginalized people, I have realized that some things are only recycled from one generation to the next. Racism will never be completely rooted out, but every generation can do their part to make life better for the next. We all have a responsibility to do better.
Lord, be near us in our suffering. Amen.
