A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Genesis 19:1-17, 24-29

This passage has tons going on. From Lot’s welcoming of two angels into his home to Lot and his family attempting to escape Sodom and Gomorrah before God destroys it. Lot’s kindness is to be commended but his disobedience and disbelief results in tragedy. We find ourselves confused by Lot’s behavior. It is erratic in nature to say the least. In one instance, Lot is very hospitable. He insists on providing accommodation and food for the two angels that visit Sodom. In another instance, Lot is seen offering his two daughters up to the men of the city and inviting these men to his daughters as they please. Then, in another key moment, the angels urge Lot, saying, "Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city." Lot disobeys the angels and lingers. The angels have no choice but to literally seize Lot and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, and take them to the outside the city for their own safety. Lot and his family are clearly instructed by the angels, "Flee for your life; do not look back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed." Unfortunately, Lot’s wife looks back, and becomes a pillar of salt. There is a saying, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Lot’s intentions to show kindness and hospitality to the angels is great but his family went through hell because of their disbelief and disobedience. What might this say to us about how we live our life? Most of us have good intentions but do we believe God knows what is best for us and are we willing to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and deciding what to do and not do in life?


Hebrews 11:1-12

What is faith? Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Without faith it is impossible to please God or to believe that God exists or to accept that God rewards those who seek him. In what practical ways does faith shape our life?


John 6:27-40

What are you going to do today, and why are you going to do it? Christians are called to live a purpose driven life. What we choose to do with our life must always be with an eternal focus and not temporal. Jesus has said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” What do we truly crave for in life? Faithfulness to Christ is the only thing that will satisfy our deepest desires. This is what we must focus on. In what tangible ways does our faith in the eternal nature of Jesus Christ guide our temporal life in this world?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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