Devotion for the Week

… for the week of June 29, 2025

Moving in Love

Participating in divisive discourse has become pervasive in this culture, particularly on social media platforms. Conversations regarding religion and politics can swiftly escalate into full-blown battles, and it can be challenging to remain cordial and reflective when confronted with false dichotomies and personal attacks around social issues.

In today’s gospel reading, the siblings James and John quickly want to retaliate with violence and aggression against the village that rejects Jesus. However, he rebukes them for their fury. The brothers appear to have disregarded the fact that when Jesus commissioned them earlier with the other disciples to spread the good news, he instructed them that if they encountered rejection, they should merely “shake the dust off [their] feet as a testimony against [the rejectors]” and move on (Luke 9:5). Dusting off their feet was not only for the sake of nonengagement but also for their safety. What good would the news be if every rejection led to violence and war?

It’s not easy to dust off our feet and move on when we are engaged in passionate debates. But how do we translate this action into a life-giving practice of

discipleship? We practice this spirit of reconciliation during worship when extending peace to our neighbor. We engage in loving discourse when we pray and share a meal around Jesus’ table.

Our engagement as disciples is steeped in the reminder that Jesus came to bring abundant life and love into the world. Finding ways to stay connected to one another while balancing the moments that call for dusting off one’s feet and moving on is not simple or easy. Gatherings and connections within and outside of worship allow us to practice God’s abundant grace and mercy, whether by stepping away or by moving in close for the sake of care and love for neighbor and self.