The Daily: Tuesday June 11, 2024

Daily Lectionary Reading: Psalm 108 (NRSV, The Message); 1 Samuel 8:1-22 (NRSV, The Message); Revelation 20:7-15 (NRSV, The Message)

When Samuel got to be an old man, he set his sons up as judges in Israel. His firstborn son was named Joel, the name of his second, Abijah. They were assigned duty in Beer-sheba. But his sons didn’t take after him; they were out for what they could get for themselves, taking bribes, corrupting justice.
1 Samuel 8:1-3

Sound familiar? The same problem that plagued Samuel's mentor Eli repeats itself with Samuel's children. They take advantage of their position. Books have been written about the spiritual and psychological dynamics of patterns of behavior that we find ourselves falling into.

For now, maybe we can see this as a reminder of the well-worn adage "There but by the grace of God go I." The issues one is dealing with today just might be mine to deal with tomorrow. As such, it is also an invitation to practice grace and offer our support to others in whatever they are facing in themselves or with their familiy.