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.

  1. What areas of dysfunction are there in our life?

  2. Why does this dysfunction exists and how might we heal from it?

  3. How has our ideal vision for our life become our worst nightmare?

Acts 21:1-14

In this passage, a prophet named Agabus takes Paul's belt, binds his own feet and hands with it, and fortells how the Jews would bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles. When Paul’s supporters heard this prophecy, they became angry and they pleaded for Paul not to go to Jersualem. However, Paul answered them - "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." When they realized that Paul would not be persuaded, they remained silent and accepted this as God’s will.

  1. When was the last time someone approached you with bad news?

  2. How did you respond to the bad news and why did you respond that way?

  3. In what way does the pressure from our peers influence how we face adversity and hardship?

  4. From Paul’s willingness to face the dangers that awaited him in Jerusalem, we understand that accepting God’s will means taking up our own cross. What cross you are carrying today that you believe is God’s will for your life?

Luke 5:12-26

This passage describes Jesus’ encounter with a leper and also a paralyzed man.

When the leper saw Jesus, bowed his face to the ground, and begged Jesus to make him clean. Here, Jesus had a choice to engage with the leper or avoid the leper. The mainstream thinking was that one would become impure if they touched a leper. Despite the pressure to conform to societal thinking, Jesus chose to stretch out his hand and touch the leper. Immediately the leprosy left him. Instead of become impure, the purity of Jesus flowed into the life of the leper. While this was a radical move that created a buzz, Jesus implored the leper to not tell anyone. Regardless, the word about Jesus spread abroad more than ever before; many crowds gathered to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Yet, Jesus never let the praise of the world puff him up. Instead, he withdrew to deserted places and spent even more time in prayer.

When some men attempted to bring a paralyzed to Jesus, they could not enter the home where Jesus was due to the size of the crowd. Thinking outside the box, they went up on the roof and let the paralyzed man down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he absolved the paralyzed man of his sins. Seeing this, the Pharisees and scribes challenged Jesus authority to forgive sins. When Jesus perceived their confusion, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, ’stand up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- he said to the one who was paralyzed-- "I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home." Immediately, the paralyzed man stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe.

  1. What obstacles keep us from experiencing fellowship with Christ?

  2. In what ways have we thought outside the box in order to find solutions to worldly problems?

  3. Why did Jesus absolve the paralyzed man of his sins before instructing him to stand up and walk?

  4. What amazing or awesome things is God doing in your life right now?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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