A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings
In this passage, a battle royale unfolds between God and the rulers of the house of Israel! God describes the leadership as a bunch of cannibals. God declares that even if the leaders cry to him, he will not answer them. In fact, God says he will hide from them because they have acted wickedly. God condemns the leadership for bringing hollow comfort and an artificial sense of peace to God’s people. These false leaders have only served to bring confusion and shame upon God’s children. In sharp contrast to the corrupted leadership, Micah stands as an example of a leader who is filled with power and spirit, passionate about pursuing justice, and committed to openly declaring the sins of God’s people no matter the cost.
What carnal desires do we have that cause us to fight God’s purpose for our life?
What is one example of corrupted leadership today?
What is one example of leadership today that is filled with power and spirit?
What kind of leader are we?
In Paul’s trial before Felix, the high priest Ananias along with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus gave their case against Paul to the governor. Tertullus began his argument by appreciating Felix, "Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for these people because of your foresight. We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude.” Then Tertullus began to describe Paul as an agitator among the Jews and a ringleader of the Nazarenes. Tertullus argues that the Jews seized Paul because he had profaned the temple. When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul replied: "I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation. As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city. Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me. But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets. I have a hope in God - a hope that they themselves also accept - that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices. While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance. But there were some Jews from Asia - they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" After hearing from the lawyer Tertullus and from Paul, Felix adjourned the hearing until the tribune had a chance to present their side. Felix then ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.
Has there been a time where we felt like we were on trial for something?
In our time of trial, who argued against us? Who argued for us?
Have we judged or condemned someone else without knowing their full story?
Can a sinner bless a saint? In this passage a sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet. This woman brought an alabaster jar of ointment, stood behind Jesus at his feet, bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair. She continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment several times. Watching this all unfold, the religious leadership began to think to themselves, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner.” Jesus knew what the religious leaders were thinking and he addressed it publicly. Jesus turned to Simon and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you. A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Again, the religious leaders began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Can a sinner bless a saint?
What genuine expressions of love have we condemned because we felt uncomfortable or minimized due to our own misguided thoughts?
Which is more astonishing to you - 1) Jesus permitted such a display of affection by a sinful woman, or 2) more examples are not recorded in scripture of such displays of affection? Explain your answer.
Reflect on your own sins? Have we been forgiven a little or much? How have we responded to our awareness of our own sin and the truth that our sins are forgiven in Christ?
Are we at peace with ourselves and with others?
To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Thomas+
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