ANDREW'S AFFIRMATION

Collect of the Day Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer of St. Michael Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Genesis 28:10-17 In this passage Jacob flees from Esau. When night fell, Jacob laid his head down on a stone. He dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God w...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Hosea 4:11-19 This passage shines a light on Israel’s idolatry and even goes as far as referring to Israel as a whore. It is the adultery of idolatry as Israel forsakes God for another lover. Stubbornness and ignorance bring about Israel’s ruin. The question is raised: “Can the Lord now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture?” What idols have we become so addicted to that we have sold our soul for? How has our own stubbornness and ignorance negatively impacted our life? Can the Lord feed us spiritually even when we have strayed far away from the faith? Explain. Acts 21:15-26 In this passage Paul arrives in Jerusalem and is welcomed warmly by the elders. When the elders gathered around him, Paul related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. The elders praised God but warned Paul that the Jews were angry with him because they felt he was telling people to forsake Moses, stop circumcision, and abandon o...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Hosea 4:1-10 In this passage, the Lord makes an indictment against Israel because of its lack of faithfulness and ignorance with regards to who God was. Swearing, lying, murder, stealing and adultery had broken out among the people. Bloodshed led to more bloodshed. The Israelites were in mourning and all who lived in it languished. Even the creatures of land, air and sea were perishing. The priests and prophets had no answers to this dysfunctional environment. Families were in discord and spiraling out of control. All of this happened because the Israelites forgot the law of God. As their worldly prosperity increased so did their sinful ways. The glory they once held had now turned to shame. There was no doubt that God was going to punish Israel for their evil ways and repay them for their sinful deeds. What areas of dysfunction are there in our life? Why does this dysfunction exists and how might we heal from it? How has our ideal vision for o...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Hosea 2:14-23 This passage reveals the tender loving relationship between two lovers (God as husband and Israel as wife). The relationship is an exclusive one, and there is no room for a love triangle. All of creation celebrates this marriage covenant and declares the eternal nature of this loving communion. In righteousness, in justice, in steadfast love, in mercy, and in faithfulness the marriage is consummated. The heavens and the earth stand as witnesses to the glory of such unity. How do we define love today? What outside factors disrupt the experience of love? Is there a difference between a contract and a covenant? If so, what might that difference be? What qualities shape our relationships? Distinguish how each of the following are reflected in our relationship with others: righteousness, justice, love, mercy, faithfulness. When there is discord in our family or friendships, who do we turn to confidentially as witnesses? How do these wi...

  A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Esther 7:1-10 In this passage the king and Haman partake in a feast with Queen Esther. The king informs Esther whatever she requests of him it will be granted. Queen Esther’s one request was for the preservation of the lives of her people. When King Ahasuerus discovered the evil plot of Haman, he was crushed in spirit and became very angry. Expecting that the king would punish him, Haman became terrified and begged Queen Esther for his life. The very trap which Haman prepared for the Jews would now be Haman’s own undoing. How much courage do you think it took for Queen Esther to make her request known to the king? If we were granted one wish, then what would that wish be? How focused are we on defending the lives of victims of injustice and oppression? When we offer an apology, is it because we truly have a repentant heart or is it because our evil intentions were exposed and we are afraid of facing the consequences of our actions? In Pro...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Esther 4:4-17 In this passage, Queen Esther realizes that Mordecai was in great distress. She sends Hathach to inquire as to why Mordecai is so cast down in spirit. Mordecai informs Hathach that Haman, one of the king's trusted officials, is planning to destroy the Jews. Mordecai pleads for Esther to approach the king on behalf of the Jews. However, Esther knows that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being invited, they are likely to be put to death. Mordecai advises Esther that she must not keep silent at such a time as this, and even goes as far as to suggest that perhaps Esther may have come to be queen for just such a time as this. Upon hearing this, Queen Esther asks those in her support group to fast for three days so that she might discern what to do and find the courage to do the right thing. How do we respond when we discover that a friend or even a foe is in spiritual distress? What steps do we ta...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Job 16:16-22,17:1,13-16 Have you ever cried so hard that you felt you could not cry anymore? Job described his crying in this manner: “My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness is on my eyelids”. Job was not a violent person, and he did not deserve to go through so much pain. In fact, he was pure of heart. Yet, Job’s outcry found no resting place, his closest friends scorned him, his spirit was broken, death appeared imminent, the grave was calling his name, and, no matter how hard he tried, he could not see a way back to what once was a wonderful life. Despite all this, Job persevered in the real hope that God in heaven was witnessing his suffering, and, in God’s time and in God’s way, Job would be cared for when he needed it most. To whom do we turn when overcome by suffering? In what ways has God provided for us during our most difficult times? Acts 13:1-12 Have you ever had an epiphany while you were observing a fast? What new revelati...