A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Leviticus 19:26-37

The phrase “I am the Lord” is repeated several times in this passage. This repetition highlights the reality that our thoughts, words and deeds must reflect the lordship of God. God alone has power and authority in our life. God alone is the master or ruler of our life. We must not be turned off by this truth or see this as an unhealthy control issue of God over us. Rather, we are blessed that God's lordship convicts us and calls us to a life of holiness. Do we joyfully invite the Lordship of God into our life? In what ways is our life guided by the holiness of God?

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Is our faith growing or stunted? Does love or does hate abound in our midst? Are we steadfast when persecuted and faithful when afflicted? When we are committed to pursuing righteousness and work for the building up of the kingdom of God we will endure suffering. When we suffer, we must hold onto the hope that we will be relieved of our affliction at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Let there be no doubt - God will repay with affliction those who afflict us. Those who do not know God and those who refuse to obey God will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction. They will be separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glory. May God make us worthy of his call and equip us for every good work of faith.

Matthew 6:25-34

Does worrying help us? The Bible exhorts us to not worry about our life. Worrying does not add anything to our span of life. If anything, worrying diminishes our life. Let us work faithfully but leave the worrying to God for life is about more than our temporal worries. Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet our heavenly Father feeds them. Are we not of more value than they? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Do not worry for God knows what we need. Instead, strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to us as well. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. In what ways does worrying keep us from living our best life now? How might focusing on just being faithful today free from the burden of worrying?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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