A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Joel 1:15-2:2[3-11]

In this passage, judgment comes upon Judah. Destruction and ruin abound. Seeds shriveled, grain withered, storehouses were depleted, barns were dilapidated, the land was devoured by fire, flames burned the trees of the field, waterscourses dried up, and even the animals groaned in misery. The only thing that Judah could do was to cry out to God. The people were powerless to solve the problems they faced. There was nowhere to turn for help except to God. An exhortation is made to blow the trumpet and sound the alarm for God’s judgment upon Judah would surely bring darkness and gloom to what was once a garden of Eden. We are left with only one question - “WHO CAN ENDURE IT?”

  1. What drastic consequences have you faced as a result of unhealthy choices you have made?

  2. How has one bad decision affected many areas of your life?

  3. When have we been left with no other option but to cry out to God?

  4. Have you ever felt powerless to solve the problems you faced? If yes, what gave you the ability to push forward during that time? If not, what keeps you from feeling powerless.

  5. In what way have we turned our garden of Eden into an experience of darkness and gloom?

Revelation 19:1-10

In this passage, Jesus returns as the conquering Lord. This reality is celebrated by a great multitude in heaven who proclaim the Lord’s glory. Hallelujahs ring out in tribute to the salvation and glory and power of God whose judgments are true and just and who has avenged the blood of God’s servants. No one can deny that the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Therefore, let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) has come, and his bride (the one, holy, catholic, apostolic church) has made herself ready - clothed with fine linen, bright and pure. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. These are the true words of God. We are all fellow servants and comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. We unite in worshiping God and in bearing testimony that Jesus is the way, truth and life (the very essence and spirit of prophecy).

  1. How has Jesus conquered your life?

  2. Do you find yourself celebrating the Lord’s reign in your life? If so, what does that reign look and feel like? If not, why aren’t you celebrating?

  3. In what practical ways do you see God defending the poor and needy today? How has God defended you?

  4. Can God’s reign be denied?

  5. In the great marriage feast, who is the groom and who is the bride? How might this reality guide how we use our time, talents and treasure?

  6. What do you think is the cause of division in the church and in the world?

  7. In light of this passage, what is the basic foundation of unity?

Luke 14:25-35

This passage highlights the cost of accepting the invitation to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear to the crowds traveling with him that whoever comes to him and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be his disciple. Jesus reinforces this link of thinking by saying that whoever does not carry the cross and follow him cannot be his disciple. As radical as these demands may appear on the surface, they actually make perfect sense. Jesus explains it this way. Which of us, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether we have enough to complete it? Otherwise, when we have laid a foundation and are not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule us, saying, 'These fellows began to build and were not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with less troops to oppose the one who comes against him with more troops? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. To put it bluntly, none of us can become a disciple of Jesus Christ if we do not give up all our possessions. Think of it this way. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!

  1. Define discipleship. Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus Christ? Explain.

  2. How demanding is the cost of discipleship?

  3. What worldly temporal things have you given up in order to pursue eternal things?

  4. How might half-hearted discipleship be dangerous?

  5. If you were to draw a pie chart of how you allocate your time on a daily basis, then what percentage of daily time do you set apart for being discipled and for discipling others? What might this say about our commitment to Christ?

  6. Christ has called us to be the salt of the earth. What does it mean to lose our saltiness? Suggest a few practical ways we can add taste (saltiness) to someone’s else’s life.

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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