A Reflection On The Daily Office Readings

Isaiah 2:12-22

The Lord will reign victoriously against the arrogant. There will be a day when the haughtiness of people will be humbled and the pride of everyone shall be brought low. On that day, the Lord alone will be exalted. Be forewarned, the Lord rises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away the evil schemes that they have devised, and they will cast away the idols that they made for themselves. However, it will be too late. Therefore, do not be afraid of what mere mortal man can do to you but trust in the Lord who is your refuge.

  1. Is the church corrupt? Explain.

  2. Should arrogance be tolerated in the life of the church?

  3. What has been your experience with those who plot evil schemes against you or those who abandon all sense of humanity in order to worship the vanity of this world?

  4. Why do we allow mere mortals to cause us so much anxiety/fear?

  5. There are so many unknowns in our life. In what practical ways are we trusting that the Lord has everything under control?

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

In  this passage, Paul sends Timothy to the people of Thessalonica and offers the following message: When we can bear it no longer, and we just want to be left alone, God will send us someone to strengthen and encourage us for the sake of our faith so that we will not be shaken by the persecutions we face. Paul wants the church in Thessalonica to understand that as Christians we are destined to carry the cross and to suffer persecution for the sake of the gospel. We should not be surprised by this. However, what we must be concerned about is whether or not the tempter has tempted us to the point of us losing our faith. If we lose our faith, then our labor and the sacrifices of those around us will be in vain. Timothy brought the Thessalonians the good news of faith in Jesus Christ and the unfailing nature of God’s love. We need to surround ourselves with people who will treat us kindly and who genuinely desire to see us become the best version of ourselves. In the midst of our distress and persecution we must find encouragement through our faith in Jesus Christ. We will experience life in abundance if we continue to stand firm in the Lord. Those around us will praise God when they experience joy because of how God works in our life to bring triumph out of our tribulation. Therefore, let us pray night and day for one another and long for the day when we will see each other face to face. Surely, whatever we have lost will be restored in due time. Till then, may the Lord Jesus direct our path, make us increase and abound in love, and strengthen our hearts in holiness so that we might be found blameless before God.

  1. What tragedy has occurred in your life that you can not bear any longer?

  2. Have you felt like you are all alone? Why or why not?

  3. Does your faith help or hinder your ability to move forward in life? Explain.

  4. Describe the cross that you are carrying currently?

  5. Is it possible to lose our faith? Explain.

  6. Name three people in your life who are kind to you and who genuinely want you to be the best version of yourself. If there is no one like this in your life, then please call Fr. Thomas ASAP. The church is here for you.

  7. Define what an abundant life looks like to you. What is a biblical understanding of an abundant life?

  8. When and where is the last time that you shared your testimony of survival and victory?

  9. What is your prayer life like? Do you pray alone or with a community?

  10. What have you lost that you yearn to have restored?

  11. In what practical ways is God directing your path, helping you abide in love, and increasing your capacity for holy living?

  12. Do you feel blameless before God? Why or why not?

Luke 20:27-40

In this passage, some religious leaders were arguing that there is no resurrection. These leaders came to Jesus and posed a scenario before him - "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; then the second and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." As confusing as the details of this scenario may sound, the clarity of focus with which Jesus responds is remarkable. Jesus implores the religious leaders to not get lost in the details but rather focus on the core truth that God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. Upon hearing the response of Jesus, the religious leaders no longer dared to ask him another question.

  1. Do  you believe in the resurrection? How does your view on the resurrection shape how you live your life?

  2. What details of life have confused us and made us lose sight of greater truths?

  3. How might Jesus’ response to the religious leaders help us face the unknowns of life and better encounter the multiple choices that we are confronted with each day?

  4. The religious leaders no longer dared to ask Jesus any questions. In what ways have we silenced those around us by our focus on faith?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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