A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Exodus 1:6-22

Even after Joseph and his brothers died, the Israelites remained many, mighty, and fruitful throughout the land of Egypt. Unfortunately, when a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph, he made the Israelites serve Egypt as slaves. The king of of Egypt even commanded that the Hebrew midwives murder any Israelite baby boy. These are the drastic measures that the king of Egypt took to suppress and oppress the Israelites. In what ways have we forgotten someone who helped us in a time of need? Are we forever grateful or is our spirit of thankfulness as fleeting as the wind? The worldly mentality of - ‘what have you done for me lately’ - tends to forget the service and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. How has the faithfulness and fruitfulness of those in the past been cast by the wayside in today’s context? Do we feel appreciated for what we have done to help others? Explain.


1 Corinthians 12:12-26

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. We were all baptized into one body, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.  Therefore, we must care for one another in an equal manner. We must realize that if one of us suffers, we all suffer together; if one of us is honored, we all rejoice together. Whom have we taken for granted? What is our specific role in community? Would you describe our society as united or divided? Why?


Mark 8:27-9:1

Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Who is Jesus to you and me? Peter answered Jesus, "You are the Messiah." What does Jesus being the Messiah mean to us? The term ‘Messiah’ literally means ‘anointed savior’. Do we grasp the reality that in order for Jesus to become the ‘Messiah’ (our savior), he had to undergo great suffering, and be rejected by those in his own community? Salvation for us was won through Jesus’ death on the cross, and this very salvation was manifested when Jesus rose from the grave. True leadership demands our faithfulness and calls us to bear fruit for the good of God’s people. Jesus embraced his call to die for the sins of the world. Peter rebuked Jesus for this but Jesus enlightened Peter that we are called not to set our mind on human things but on divine things. Is our life’s focus rooted in human desires or in a divine calling to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ? The truth is that those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for God’s sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Are we ashamed of Jesus and of God’s words? If so, then Jesus will be ashamed of us when we stand before his Father on the day of judgment. Who is Jesus to us, and what are we willing to do for Jesus?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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