A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings
Does God condone destructive behavior? The obvious answer is - NO; the not so obvious answer is - YES. In this passage, the Lord’s instruction to Gideon was that he destroy those things that were not of God and build up those things that were of God. This is God’s directive to all of us. Are we willing to obey the Lord in this regard? Evil systems of injustice and oppression must be dismantled. However, such action is never easy or comfortable. To do so will draw the fury of the enemy our way and place a target on our back. Yet, this is exactly what Gideon was called by God to do. This is exactly what Jesus did for us in destroying the strongholds of evil, sin and death. We are told in scripture that Gideon was too afraid of his family and the townspeople to pull down the altar of Baal during the day so he did it by night. When the townspeople rose early the next morning, the altar of Baal was broken down, and an offering was made on the altar that had been built to God. In the court of public opinion, Gideon was criticized for his radical obedience to God. The public asked, "Who has done this?" After searching and inquiring, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it." Then the townspeople said to Joash, "Bring out your son, so that he may die, for he has pulled down the altar of Baal.” In a moment of despair, Gideon turned to God for clarity and confirmation. Gideon said to God, "In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said." And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let your anger burn against me, let me speak one more time; let me, please, make trial with the fleece just once more; let it be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew." And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. In miraculous fashion, God provided clarity and confirmation to Gideon and assured Gideon that obeying God’s commands was better than giving into the whims and fancies of the world. How confident are we in tearing down those things that are evil and ungodly in order to build up things that are pure and holy?
In this passage Peter exhorts the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that their sins may be forgiven; and they could receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. How open are we to being told that we are corrupt and that we need to repent? Those who welcomed Peter’s message were baptized but those who rejected Peter’s message continued to abound in their corrupt ways. Repentance and baptism must lead us to prioritizing Bible study, Christian fellowship, sacramental worship, and a prayerful approach to life. When we choose intentionally to live this way, we will be awed by the glory of God, we will see wonders and signs, and we will experience oneness in Christ. We are told in scripture that those who embraced Peter’s message sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to all so as to ensure that there was no one in need. They spent quality time together in worship, broke bread together, shared fellowship with glad and generous hearts, and praised God together as they strived to meet the needs of anyone in need. In this way, many people were added to the life of the church. Is this the kind of faith community that we have developed? Why or why not?
The Gospel of John is simple but deep. It gifts us Jesus in a way that is breathtakingly beautiful. Jesus is presented by John as the “Word”. The Word (Jesus) was not just in the beginning but he was the beginning of the beginning. The Word (Jesus) brings forth new life, and this life is the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never overcome it. As Christians, we are called like John the Baptist, to testify to the light of Christ so that all might believe through him. Let us not think, even for a moment, that we ourselves are the light. We merely testify to the light so that the world might know the light. Be careful though because just as Jesus’ own people rejected the light he brought them so those around us may also reject the light we bring into the world. Do not be dismayed, however, because those who believe in this light (Jesus) will receive the power and glory of God. May the Word enlighten your journey and guide you to greater blessings.
To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Thomas+
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