A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Proverbs 4:1-27

Do we listen to instruction? Are we attentive so that we might gain insight? Are we open to receiving healthy criticism? Do we welcome the idea of others teaching us what we are doing wrong so that we might do things right? The Bible encourages us to let our heart hold fast to God’s words; keep God’s commandments, and live life in abundance. We must seek God every day because it is only through a life of righteousness that we will reach a place of wisdom and insight. We must do our best to avoid entering the path of the wicked. To voice of evil tempts us with worldly pleasure but we must turn away from evil and focus on the holy voice of God. Unfortunately, there are people who cannot sleep unless they have done wrong or made someone stumble. Those who abide in such darkness eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. Do not get caught up in such things. Instead, travel the path of the righteous which is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. Be vigilant and guard  your heart. Although there will be many distractions in life, do not ever engage in crooked speech or take part in devious conversation. Rather, let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all your ways will be blessed for sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left but always turn your feet away from evil.


1 John 4:7-21

Love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. We love because God first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God. However, if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. If we know and believe the love that God has for us, then let us be bold in testifying that God sent his Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world for God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 


John 11:30-44

In this passage the Jews are seen consoling Mary and Martha after the death of Lazarus. Jesus visits the grieving community and weeps with them. Then Jesus does something really strange. He asks the community to take away the stone from the grave. The people hesitate for a moment because they know Lazarus had been dead four days; they know that there would be a stench coming from the grave. Life is not just about what we know; life is also about what we are willing to believe. We know the struggles and hardships that we face. God knows the abundant life that he has called us to live. What stinky situation in life have we given up on that God is asking us to reopen and revisit through the fresh eyes of faith? The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead would have never happened if the community acted on what they knew and refused to act on what they believed Christ could do. The greater wisdom here is that with Christ all things are possible. God is ready to work miracles in our life but is there something that he expects us to unbind and let go of in faith? What might be keeping us from experiencing a breakthrough?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+

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