ANDREW'S AFFIRMATION

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Ecclesiasticus 38:24-34 Note: The book of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is considered to be the largest wisdom book from antiquity to have survived. It is accepted as part of the canon by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Oriental Orthodox Christians. The Anglican tradition considers Sirach among the apocryphal books, and read them but do not yet apply them to establish any doctrine. This passage discusses the topic of wisdom. The farmer, artisan, blacksmith, and the potter are integral to the building up of any community. They maintain the fabric of the world. We should turn to them for wisdom. How much more then should we seek wisdom from those who study the word of God - the source of all wisdom? Define wisdom. What industries are there today that help maintain the fabric of society? What wisdom can the church glean from those industries? Who do we turn to help us understand the wisdom of the word of God? Revelation 14:1-13 In this passage we...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Ecclesiasticus 31:12-18,25-32:2 Note: The book of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is considered to be the largest wisdom book from antiquity to have survived. It is accepted as part of the canon by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Oriental Orthodox Christians. The Anglican tradition considers Sirach among the apocryphal books, and read them but do not yet apply them to establish any doctrine. This passage advises us on the proper attitude towards riches. If you are seated at the table of the great, then you should not be greedy. A greedy eye is a bad thing. You must not reach out your hand for everything you see, and you should not disrespect your neighbor when you strive for what you want. Instead, treat your neighbor as you would like to be treated, and in every matter be thoughtful. Always eat what is set before you like a well brought-up person, and do not chew greedily, or others will be offended. Be the first to stop for others as that refl...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Ecclesiasticus 24:1-12 Note: The book of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is considered to be the largest wisdom book from antiquity to have survived. It is accepted as part of the canon by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Oriental Orthodox Christians. The Anglican tradition considers Sirach among the apocryphal books, and read them but do not yet apply them to establish any doctrine. A beautiful poem on Wisdom. While self praise can be dangerous, wisdom always keeps within the bounds of God’s law. Wisdom comes forth from the mouth of the Most High; God’s word covers it like a mist. Wisdom abides in the vault of heaven and journeys through the depths of hell. It looks for a resting place - a safe place for it to abide. God alone decides where wisdom reveals itself. Wisdom has no beginning or end but forever abounds in the holy city of God and takes root in the lives of God’s people. How does our self praise reflect the wisdom of God? In what ways ...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Jeremiah 11:18-23 In this passage the Lord reveals to Jeremiah the conspiracy and threat against him. Jeremiah’s enemies warned him to not prophesy in the name of the Lord lest he die by their hand. Jeremiah describes his predicament - “I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter.” Because Jeremiah has committed his life to the Lord, he calls upon the Lord for retribution and the Lord promises to protect Jeremiah. What truth have you tried to share that was rejected by those in power? When you face opposition and are attacked for your beliefs, how does this impact your faith in God? What is spiritual warfare, and does God take sides in spiritual warfare?  Matthew 10:16-22 In this passage, Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution. “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you ...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Ecclesiasticus 10:1-18 Note: The book of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus is considered to be the largest wisdom book from antiquity to have survived. It is accepted as part of the canon by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Oriental Orthodox Christians. The Anglican tradition considers Sirach among the apocryphal books, and read them but do not yet apply them to establish any doctrine. This passage describes what the rule of an intelligent leader looks like, and also warns us about what will happen to cities that are under corrupted leadership. A wise leader is one who educates his people and whose rule is well ordered. He is accepted as the people's judge and welcomed as a ruler of all its inhabitants. He makes his city fit to live because of his understanding. In contrast, an undisciplined king ruins his people. The greatest leader is the Lord who governs the earth. It is the Lord who raises up the right leader for the time. Human success is ...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Ezekiel 47:1-12 In the ancient world, most powerful cities were built around a body of water. The supply of water was essential for life and for defense. Jerusalem was one of the few great cities that was not located directly on a river. Yet, Ezekiel uses the imagery of water flowing from the temple to affirm that the temple will be a font of blessing for Israel. It is interesting to note that the river does not come from a king’s palace or from a government building. It doesn’t come from a marketplace, a place of business, or an athletic arena. Instead, it comes from God’s house. Also noteworthy is that the depth of the water increases proportionally to the distance traveled. At first the river was ankle-deep, then it was knee-deep, then it was up to the waist, and finally it was deep enough to swim in. At some point, when the river (spiritual waters) become too difficult to wade in and can no longer be crossed, we are brought back to the bank...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Jonah 3:1-4:11 In this passage, Jonah prophesied that God is going to destroy Nineveh because the city was evil and involved in violent behavior. Jonah called for Nineveh to repent but he never thought they would actually do so. To Jonah’s surprise, the people of Nineveh and even the king of Nineveh repented. They came to believe in God and they even proclaim a fast. There was a turning away from evil ways and from violence. When God saw the repentant nature of the people, he turned from his fierce anger and did not utterly destroy Nineveh. This made Jonah very angry, and he used this opportunity to justify his prior disobedience of God’s instruction for him to go to Nineveh. Jonah felt God was too fickle to follow through with harsh consequences for Nineveh’s sinful past, and Jonah was essentially telling God - ‘I told you so.’ Jonah felt embarrassed because God did not carry out punishment on Nineveh, and Jonah felt duped by God so much that ...

A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings Jonah 1:1-17a God told Jonah to go to Nineveh but Jonah tried to escape from the Lord’s presence by boarding a ship headed to Tarshish. The Lord brought such a great wind and storm upon the sea that the ship was on the verge of breaking into pieces. The mariners were afraid, and each cried to his god. In an attempt to lighten the ship, the mariners threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea. Jonah, meanwhile, had gone down into the hold of the ship and had lain down, and was fast asleep. The captain came and said to him, "What are you doing sound asleep? Get up, call on your god! Perhaps the god will spare us a thought so that we do not perish." The sailors said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know on whose account this calamity has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, "Tell us why this calamity has come upon us. What is your occupation? Where...