A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings


Genesis 49:1-28

In this passage, we find Jacob on his death-bed. He calls his sons together in order to explain to them the consequences of their life choices. As hard as it may have been for him, Jacob kept it real with each son - those who had made bad choices had to face bad consequences, and those who had made good choices faced good consequences. Why is that we have a tendency to remember more clearly the words that someone shares with us on their death-bed? What challenges are there to keeping it real with those we genuinely care about? Describe a difficult consequence that you had to face because of a poor life choice you made. Why apologize and why turn away from wrongdoing if we still have to face harsh consequences for the bad choices we made in the past?


1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1

We must intentionally flee the worship of vain glory. It does not just happen organically. If we are sensible people, then we will judge ourselves fairly for the choices we have made. We share in the blood of Christ when we bless the cup. We share in the body of Christ when we break the bread. When we chase after the things of the world we leave behind the things of Christ. Similarly, when we chase after the things of Christ we leave behind the things of the world. Therefore, let us not be thrown here and there by the blowing of the wind. Rather, with intentionality and purpose, let us choose wisely how we live our life. We cannot drink the cup of righteousness and the cup of evil. We cannot eat at the table of righteousness and the table of evil. We must know that while we are free to do all things, not all things are beneficial or healthy for us. Christ has modeled for us how to deny ourselves for the sake of others. We should never become a stumbling block for someone else. Rather, let us do everything for the glory of God, and imitate Christ in all things.


Mark 7:24-37

In this passage we see the healing of a Gentile’s woman’s daughter and the healing of a deaf man. Both occasions speak to the power of Christ to transform our suffering into sacred stories of healing and restoration. The word which Jesus spoke to the deaf man was "Ephphatha," that is, "be opened." How open are we to trusting Christ with transforming our suffering? What past experiences have made it hard for us to trust God or others? When the Gentile woman begged Jesus to heal her daughter, she had to trust that Christ would not steer her wrong. Her request to Jesus was a radical expression of faith because the person requesting the healing was a woman and a minority. She had to overcome enormous barriers and labels in order to make her voice heard. Jesus understood the woman’s predicament and also the arrogance of the Jewish leaders. In hopes of deconstructing an oppressive framework, Jesus shines a light on the dysfunction and systemic injustice that exists in society. On the surface, Jesus’ statement to the woman appears demeaning and disrespectful. He says to the woman - "Let the children (i.e. Jew/man) be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs (i.e. Gentile/woman)." In hearing Jesus’s statement, the woman had two choices on how to respond: 1) accept the barrier and wear the label, or 2) break the barrier and reject the label. She chose to challenge the existing stereotype and redefine what it meant to be a child of God. In taking a stand, she played an instrumental role in the healing of her daughter. Are we arrogant Christians who block others from experiencing the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ or are we giving a word of  "Ephphatha" to those who are the least and lost in this world? What specific action can you take today to deconstruct oppressive frameworks and challenge the barriers and labels that dehumanize others?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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