A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Joel 1:1-13

The passage is a lament over a great locust plague and a severe drought (1:1-2:17). The natural disaster has devastatingly affected agriculture, farmers, and the supply of agricultural offerings for the Temple in Jerusalem. There is no joy among the people. In the midst of such tragedy, there is a clear call to wake up from their spiritual drunkenness and lament their sin as a nation.

  1. What tragedy has caused us to lose our joy?

  2. We are all sinners and we are all called to repent and return to God. In what areas of our life are we spiritually drunk?

  3. What might the path to sobriety look like?

  4.  Are we willing to admit that we are struggling and that we need help beyond ourselves?

  5. Who in our friend circle can help guide us along the path to recovery - who can be our sponsor / accountability partner?

Revelation 18:15-24

In this passage we see the fall of Babylon. The saints, apostles and prophets rejoice at God’s victory over Babylon. Babylon must account for its actions in shedding the blood of the saints, apostles, and prophets.

  1. Have you ever witnessed the fall of your enemy?

  2. What emotions came over you as you saw the enemies plans and attacks fall to the wayside and unravel?

  3. How can we learn from the sacrifices of those who stood for justice and inequality in the past in order to pave the way for a brighter future tomorrow?

Luke 14:12-24

This passage is about the banquet of the Messiah. It is a banquet for the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Those who are evil will make plenty of excuses for not caring for the least and lost in this world. They will lose their right to attend the banquet of the Messiah. It is the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame that will rejoice as they partake in the Messiah’s banquet.

  1. How do we use our time, talents and treasure?

  2. In what ways have we made excuses for not caring for the least and the lost in this world?

  3. What answer will we give God when we are called to account for our thoughts, words and deeds in this life?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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