A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14

Rejoice and let your heart be cheerful. Feel free to follow the desires of your heart and be guided by the passion of your eyes but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Why are you anxious? Why do you cause yourself unnecessary pain? Do you not realize that the pleasures of life are vanity? Only God can grant true joy. Therefore, be mindful that all of us will be held accountable and face an eternity based on our choices. There will be a day when our dust returns to the earth, and our breath returns to the God who gave it to us. “Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity.” Therefore, fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is our duty. God will judge us by our deeds. Every secret thing we have done, whether good or evil, will be exposed.

Galatians 5:25-6:10

If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. When those around us make a mistake, we must restore such individuals in a spirit of gentleness. If you think with the mind of Christ, then you will not yield to temptation. Rather, you will bear one another’s burdens. Do not deceive yourself by being conceited or arrogant. Judge yourself and not others and you will gain humility. Each person is accountable for their own choices and must face their own consequences. If you choose to live a life guided by fleshly desires, then you will reap fleshly consequences. If you live life in the Spirit, then you will reap a Spiritual life. Therefore, do not grow weary in doing what is right, for you will reap at harvest time, if you do not give up. Whenever you have an opportunity, work for the good of all, and especially for those in your family of faith.

Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus made it clear to his disciples that he would face great suffering at the hands of religious authorities, and would even die for living out his faith. Peter had a hard time accepting this, and took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." Are we realistic about the cost of discipleship and how living out our faith can be painful and dangerous? Jesus warns us, “If any wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?" In trying to go about life our own way, have we lost our way and our passion for Christ? If we trust God’s plan and purpose for our life, we will always experience Christ as the way, the truth and the life. There is a clear price to pay for following Christ but there is also a great reward and joy in doing so. Simply put - there is no crown without a cross.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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