A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Genesis 49:29-50:14

This passage is an amazing testimony to the eternal communion we share with all the saints and children of God. Both in life and in death we commune with those who have gone before us and those who will come after us. Jacob (Israel) was aware of this great truth, and in the final moments before his death, he passed this revelation onto his children. He said to them - “I am about to be gathered to my people.” In a temporal sense, Jacob longed to be buried with his ancestors. In an eternal sense, Jacob believed he would share fellowship with the faithful forever. In a beautiful description of Jacob’s last moments in this temporal world, we are told that Jacob drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. To know that we are eternally gathered into the communion of saints brings us such peace in face of life’s greatest trials and tribulations. Surely, we can relate with Joseph who threw himself on his father's face and wept over him and kissed him. There is definitely a sting of death but it has been swallowed up in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Therefore, let us also relate with Jacob who saw beyond the temporal and into the eternal joy of mystic communion. Are we living today with a vision for eternity? Do our temporal struggles find purpose in our eternal communion with God and the saints?


1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Why do we come together; why do we gather for Holy Eucharist? Is it to heighten our hate and disdain for one another or to deepen our love and respect for each other? Just as Paul acknowledged that there were divisions in the Corinthian church, we must acknowledge that there are divisions in our church today. The factions among us will reveal in time who is genuine among us. Why is that we all receive the Eucharist but then some go on to do evil while others bear fruits of righteousness? Do we not realize that we show contempt for the church of God when we behave in a manner that disrespects or dehumanizes others. Our religious piety must never be a cause for us to boast or condemn others. Instead, we must humbly acknowledge that we have received our salvation through Christ alone, and that what we have received by grace, we pass on freely to those who are least and lost in this world. May we be mindful that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. We boast not in our own display of religious piety but rather in the loving sacrifice of Christ for us sinners. Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Therefore, examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. It is wrong and downright sinful to glorify Christ while hating our neighbor. When we gather together to partake in the Holy Eucharist, let us bear in mind that we enter into an eternal communion with all the saints. Our thoughts, words and deeds must have a positive impact that not only reflect the faith of those who have gone before us but also inspires the faithful who come after us.


Mark 8:1-10

Feeding of the four thousand began with a faithful gathering of the people. The safe and comfortable option was to dismiss them without anything to eat. The risky and uneasy option was to invite the people to gather in faith and trust that God would provide a blessing for all. The right thing to do all begins with a heart of compassion. This passage shines a light on the heart of Christ - "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way - and some of them have come from a great distance." The disciples were struggling with the risk and uneasiness of gathering the people because they leand more on their own understanding instead of trust God to transcend their human limitations. The miracle of feeding the four thousand began with gathering the people in faith and trusting God to bless whatever they already had. What miracle is God ready to unfold in our life? What resources can we bring to God in faith? How can we play a vital role in gathering people who are struggling and shining a light of hope in the midst of their distress?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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