A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Genesis 23:1-20

In this passage we see sacrificial love and a sense of community expressed in the transferring of land from the Hittites into Abraham’s possession as a burying place for Sarah. Throughout the Bible land plays an integral role in a community’s identity and legacy. God grants land as a promise of faithfulness and a bestowal of blessings. In this passage, the transfer of land symbolizes the coming together of diverse peoples to honor one another and the gifts that they bring to the table. What gifts have we been blessed with? How do we share our gifts with one another? How might working together bring about a better world for all of us?

Hebrews 11:32-12:2

Through faith, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, and put foreign armies to flight. What victories have we experienced through faith? How did it feel? Have we shared the story of our victory with others? One thing we need to realize is that faith does not always result in worldy victories. In fact, many of the faithful have sacrificed a great deal. Because of their faith, many have been tortured, refused to accept release from prison, suffered mocking and flogging, been chained and imprisoned, stoned to death, killed by the sword, went about in skins of sheep and goats, became destitute, were persecuted and tormented, wandered in deserts and mountains, and forced to live in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, although they were commended for their faith, they did not have an easy life. Instead, they persevered in faith despite their sufferings and hardships. Therefore, let us also lay aside our troubles and, in faith, run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross and disregarded its shame. Do we have the kind of faith that sees us through worldly defeats and even death? Ultimately, our victory is not temporal but eternal. Christ experienced temporal death but won eternal life for all of God’s children. Our faith must never focus so much on the temporal victories of life that we lose focus the eternal victory we have through Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 6:60-71

Michael Jordan once said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” We all have some talent but unless we are all on the same page and looking out for the best in each other, we will fall apart as a team. Jesus and the disciples were a team. Not all disciples were team players. Some were faithful and some were not. In this passage, Simon Peter was a team player and he believed in what the team could do together. He proclaimed that Jeuss has the words of eternal life, and that Jesus is the Holy One of God." Unfortunately, not all disciples shared this sentiment. Jesus points out, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." Jesus was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. Here we see two kinds of teammates: Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot. What kind of team player are you? Do you believe in your team and work to get the most out of your team, or do we betray our teammates because of our own self agendas? There is a very thin line between a good team and a bad team. What impact are we having on the team that we are part of?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+