A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Numbers 16:20-35

Have you ever felt the need to distance yourself from the evil actions of a group of people? In this passage the Lord speaks to Moses and to Aaron, and instructs them to separate themselves from those who were living contrary to God’s will. Instead of immediately separating from the disobedient and evil people in their community of faith, and letting God destroy them, Moses and Aaron, in their frustration, pleaded to God on behalf of the people. "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one person sin and you become angry with the whole congregation?" Many of us can relate with the human desire to save everyone around us but the reality is that each individual and every community has a choice in how they live life. Some individuals constantly complain while others are always eager to offer a complement. Some individuals point fingers of blame while others long to offer a helping hand. Even if we have the best of intentions and genuinely care about those around us, there will be people who misunderstand us and intentionally choose to disrespect God and others. The Lord made it clear to Moses and Aaron that the people had to choose whether they were going to remain loyal to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram or remain faithful to God. Consequently, Moses got up and addressed the congregation by saying - "Turn away from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, or you will be swept away for all their sins." Those who stubbornly chose to reject God’s ways died as the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up in their pride. Those who repented of their wrongdoing were forgiven and saved from destruction. What cliques are we part of that taint our view of God and blind us to God’s offer of mercy and forgiveness? The choice is ours to disrespect God and others or faithfully live according to God’s plan and purpose for our life.

Romans 4:1-12

Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin. Abraham received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. What outward symbols in our life point to a deeper reality of inner forgiveness and renewal in the spirit? How does our inner faith specifically guide our thoughts, words and deeds? The blessings that we receive from God must become blessings that we share with the world.

Matthew 19:23-30

Why is it so hard to live a simple life? Do we complicate our life by striving for a lifestyle of the rich and famous? Do we go out of our way in hopes of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’? Joy and peace come not from the worldly things that we want but from the spiritual things that we need. Those who yearn for the glitz and glamor of this world will find it hard to experience abundant life in Christ. Jesus warns us that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." It is impossible for us to find joy and peace on our own merit. We must trust the love of God and the genuine fellowship of others to open up possibilities of abundant living that we never could have thought or imagined of. Peter wondered what would be gained if he left everything and followed Christ. Jesus assured him that not only would Peter gain eternal life but that he would live life in abundance. The world wants us to think that those who are first are the one who will be happy but the reality is that those who are last will be first to experience joy and peace in this life. What are we waiting for? Get rid of the distractions in your life. Keep it simple stupid (#KISS).

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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