The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eating anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
Acts 10:9-16
Vegetarians and vegans, bye! And the rest of us, please do not eat bats! Okay, I’m kidding, and if you can’t handle some Bible humor, please take a breath and maybe start because the Bible is kind of hilarious. No, I don’t think the heart of this passage is about literally what we eat. However, it’s a great analogy because all of humanity understands this need.
Nor is this passage about throwing away former customs and cultures to fulfill whatever present need. It’s not about a blaise way of living that fits how you’re feeling in the moment. It’s about looking for patterns and affirmations from God, which requires asking and listening. The heart of the message happened three times. Did God really say that, again and again? It’s a reflection on what cultures and ideas we’ve held to for identity. Why have we held onto these ideas? Are they good? Are they necessary? Were they once good and necessary, and now no longer? It’s about adapting our way of living through an increased intimacy with God. It’s not changing God to fit our life; it’s understanding deeper the goodness and kindness and compassion and wideness of God, in order to live a fuller and freer life. Our lives should reflect inclusivity and flexibility, in all times, so that it points back to a God who has truly created us for such a moment as now to be of service and of calling.
Prayer: God show me the areas I can loosen up and receive more.
Creative: Listen to music that celebrates who you are.
Brave: Where have you not allowed yourself to celebrate? Celebrate!
Generous: Can you give an hour of your time to someone?
Are you there God? 
Poem of the day:
They excluded us
The first sort of laws to exclude a people based on race
The perpetual other
The kind of otherness you can’t hide or wipe away
With more schooling, more money, masks
This is me
And in times of high, we are invisible
And in times of low, we are the cause of everyone’s pain
Other
Virus
Other
Go back to where you come from
Where is that place
When you’ve never belonged
What if I didn’t spend so much energy fighting for my space
Fighting for my existence
And simply was in
Who sees me in
Where am I in
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