A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Jeremiah 16:14-21

This passage declares God’s plan to restore Israel. We find hope in knowing that whatever the world has taken from us because of our faithfulness to God, we can be assured that God will restore it to us. Let there be no doubt, God does keep score. His eyes are the ways of the wicked; their evil plots are not hidden from God’s presence, nor is their iniquity concealed from God’s sight. God will doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted God’s church with their divisive schemes, and filled their egos with the suffering of God’s people. Let the righteous rejoice in knowing that God is their strength and my stronghold, a refuge in the day of trouble. Therefore, do not become frustrated when arrogant and selfish people attempt to make themselves into gods for God will overcome their efforts with His power and my might, and they shall know that there is only one true God.

Mark 1:14-20

Jesus beckons us to come close to Him, repent for our sins, and believe in the good news. What are we so afraid of? Do we trust Christ enough to let go of control and let God direct our path? The same Jesus who called Simon, his brother Andrew, James son of Zebedee and his brother John to become fishers of men calls us to transform our secular responsibilities into sacred opportunities to glory God’s name and serve God’s children. Are we ready to leave our comfort zone and follow Christ where he leads us?

Jeremiah 26:1-15

Do not hold back a single word that God gives you to speak to His people. Be assured that some of those who hear God’s word will listen and turn from their evil ways. However, do not be frustrated when some others remain persistent in their divisive and evil ways. God warns us that He will curse those who refuse to listen to His word and who disobey God’s commands. Even when the priests, the prophets and the people tried to kill Jeremiah for boldly speaking God’s word, Jeremiah continued to exhort them to amend their ways and obey the voice of the Lord God. Jeremiah was so confident in the word of God that he declared: “As for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears." How might the boldness of Jeremiah inform how we respond to the criticism we face for staying true to God’s word? In what ways have we failed to share the truth of God’s word because of our fear or anxiety about how the world would react?

Matthew 10:16-32

Being a Christian is hard. Jesus compares our Christian walk to being sent out like sheep into the midst of wolves. Jesus advises us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. He warns us to beware of those who physically hand us over to the court of public opinion, insult us verbally, and abuse us mentally. Do not let such people derail your faith. In fact, Jesus advises us that when they hand us over, we should not worry about how we will speak or what we will say; for what we need to say will be given to us at the proper time. We must realize that we are not the ones who speak. Instead, it is the Spirit of God that will speak through us. We live in a world where brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and we will be hated by all because we preach the name of Jesus. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute us in one town, flee to the next; for the harvest is plentiful and there is plenty of good work to do. What God reveals to us about the darkness of evil we must reveal through the light of Christ. Have no fear of those who work evil for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. God will bring forth His glory through the cross we bear.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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