This Week’s Readings
- Jeremiah 8:18–9:1 – The prophet grieves deeply over the suffering of God’s people, longing for healing where none seems to be found.
- Psalm 79:1–9 – A communal lament cries out for mercy and forgiveness after devastation, pleading for God’s deliverance.
- 1 Timothy 2:1–7 – Paul urges prayer for all people and leaders, affirming Christ as the one mediator who gave himself for all.
- Luke 16:1–13 – Jesus teaches through the parable of the shrewd manager that true disciples must choose between serving God or wealth.
Reflection – “When Mercy Meets Profit”
Jeremiah grieves for a people whose joy is gone—“the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved”—yearning for healing where there seems to be none . Psalm 79 echoes this lament, crying out in anguish over violence, destruction, and the ruin of God’s people. Into such brokenness, Paul calls the church to intercede— “pray for all” and “lift up holy hands” to witness to God’s sway over every human heart.
In Luke, the shrewd manager’s parable confronts us with hard truths about faithfulness, stewardship, and the currency of grace. It asks: when the world measures success in profit, will we invest in eternity? Will our faith shape our loyalty and our actions, even when doing so seems counter-intuitive?
This week, may we mourn injustice, pray without ceasing, and steward the riches of grace with wisdom.
Prayer: God of mercy, meet us in our sorrow, teach us to pray and to steward your grace with integrity. Amen.
Hymn Reflection – Singing the Faith 719
“God, give us peace…
With you to lead us on,
through death or tumult,
peace will come.”
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