Daily Bread June 01

Looking to the Galilees of the World
By Rick Maupin, Council of Twelve Apostles


I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. -Romans 12:1-5 NRSV

Recently I have been quite disappointed and saddened by the direction I see our world moving. There are days when I feel the world has moved into a dark place, filled with a new level of division and hate. I see and hear those who are most vulnerable being cast aside and further marginalized. It feels as though the “rules” are changing such that disregard for the most vulnerable is more acceptable and seems, shall I say, almost applauded.

If I only absorb the onslaught of social media and various news sources, it appears the most basic core values of human existence are being torn apart. However, in the midst of my disappointment and sadness, I am reminded there is another perspective from which I am called to see and hear the world. That perspective is standing at the open door of the tomb looking out to the Galilees of the world. Those who arrived first at Jesus’ tomb were instructed to go tell the disciples Jesus had gone ahead of them and would meet them in Galilee.

Here is the good news of the Resurrection for me-seeing and hearing Jesus in the world, in the muck and stench of the hate and prejudice which surround us, out in the Galilees. In those places I hear him declaring the current “rules” will not win the day! But what makes this such hopeful news for me? When I see and hear Jesus in those places, he looks and sounds just like some of you-you who are “courageously challenging political, religious and cultural trends which are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b). You are laying claim to the power of the Resurrection!

Prayer Phrase

Spirit, now live in me.

Spiritual Practice

Breathe deeply and enter a few minutes of silence. Be attentive to where you sense new life emerging in you. Search your memories of the previous day. When did you notice the sacredness of life in surprising places or forms in the world around you?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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