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Everyday Contemplative: A Lenten Online Experience
What does it mean to be contemplative? Many of us carry around stereotypical pictures of contemplative Read More
David J. Fetterman | Read Jonah 3:5-10
When Leopards Change Their Spots
There is an old saying, “A leopard never changes its spots.” In other words, people don’t change. That, however, does not appear to be God’s attitude. God constantly calls for our transformation, showing us a new way—a way of love and peace and hope, a...
God of hope and transformation, guide us to discern areas in our lives where we need to change. Lead the way that we may be transformed by your love. In Jesus’ matchless name. Amen.
Things are not always as they seem. To Jonah, the people of Nineveh seem beyond hope, so he runs away rather than going to preach to them. But God has other plans. To Jonah’s surprise, the Ninevites turn to God. In our eyes, social standing and wealth may seem to divide people into different classes, but the psalmist declares that in God’s economy all are equal. Paul echoes the theme of the temporary nature of all things in this life; they should not be our source of security. Jesus opens his ministry in Mark by proclaiming that God is breaking into history to overthrow what has been accepted as the way things are. Sometimes God’s perspective is not our perspective.
Read Jonah 3:1-10. Can you think of a time when you sensed God calling you to do something you didn’t want to do? How did you respond?
Read Psalm 62:5-12. How have you experienced God’s “awesome deeds” in your life? What is your response?
Read 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. What distracts you from focusing on God? How might you reorder your priorities?
Read Mark 1:14-20. What might have led Simon, Andrew, James, and John to immediately stop what they were doing and follow Jesus? Are there things that make you hesitate in following Jesus’ call to you?
Respond by posting a prayer.
