A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Ecclesiasticus 50:1,11-24

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.

In this passage we are told about Simon son of Onia who was a leader and a person of great worth. He repaired his own house and fortified the house of God. These are the things that bring a pleasing odor to the Most High. Such leadership inspires those around them to worship God in a deeper sense. We must be cognisant that the purpose behind our rituals is to help us live right before God and others. It is then, and only then, that the blessings of the Lord will be showered upon God’s people. This opens the door to us experiencing a gladness of heart, a peaceful spirit, and the hope of deliverance.

  1. Who in your life would you describe as being a great leader and a person of great worth? What qualities about them make you feel this way?

  2. What is broken in our own life that needs to be repaired?

  3. What problems does the church face today, and how can we fortify the church?

  4. Do our thoughts, words and deeds strengthen the unity in the community or increase division in the church?

  5. What is the purpose behind rituals?

  6. Define a ‘spiritual blessing’. Why are spiritual blessings important?

Revelation 17:1-18

Revelation 16:19 and 14:8 have already declared Babylon’s fall. In Revelation 17 and 18, the fall of Babylon is carefully detailed. Babylon (aka ‘the great whore’) represents any person or people group that expresses organized hostility toward God and his creation. Evil roams and reigns in many places (i.e. “seated on many waters”), and is propagated by those in power (i.e. “with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication”). The evil powers of the world will attempt to present themselves as moral experts adorned with justice and equality initiatives (i.e. a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names … the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her fornication”). These evil powers are symbolically represented by “Babylon the great, mother of whores and of earth's abominations." These evil powers are drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. They ascend from the bottomless pit and go forth to destroy those who are without the wisdom of God. These evil powers will unite in yielding their power and authority to the beast; they will make war on the church, and the church will conquer them. Those who stand for God and defend God’s people will be victorious. Let there be no doubt - the word of God will be fulfilled.

  1. Who do you think of that has expressed hostility toward God and his creation?

  2. Where does evil roam and reign today?

  3. Describe a situation in which you discovered evil presenting itself as a moral expert adorned with slogans on justice and equality.

  4. Ultimately, what are evil powers addicted to? What has been the consequence of such addiction?

  5. What do we mean by the phrase - “wisdom of God”? How might we attain the wisdom of God, and how can such wisdom help  us?

  6. What is the relationship between the ‘word of God’ and the ‘wisdom of God’?

Luke 13:31-35

In this passage Jesus continues his work despite a serious threat from Herod. Some Pharisees advise him: "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." Jesus laments the fact that Jerusalem will reject him but he is not phased by the impending attack. Jesus desires to have a loving relationship with Jerusalem but Jerusalem is not willing.

  1. What threats do we face today for the sake of the gospel?

  2. Define the term: “lament”. In what areas of our life are we lamenting?

  3. How has our lamenting affected our approach to life?

  4. What relationships do we long to have but keep experiencing rejection?

  5. Are there relationships that we should give up on and stop pursuing? Explain.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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