A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Isaiah 9:1-7

In this passage we have one of the most popular references to the birth of the Messiah. The reading is filled with a message of hope for those who are suffering. It assures us that there is no more gloom for those who were in anguish. Although there was once contempt in the land, the Messiah has brought glory to the faithful children of God who traveled by land and sea. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. There is joy and exultation in the air. The yoke of the people and the bar across their shoulder (i.e. a symbolic reference to the burden carried by oxen) will be broken. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

  1. What is your favorite Old Testament scripture which points to the birth of the Messiah? What are your thoughts about this particular passage?

  2. When you have experienced suffering, what has given you hope?

  3. Describe a time when you walked in darkness and gloom? What enabled you to see the light at the end of the tunnel?

  4. There is a saying: “A problem shared is a problem halved. A joy shared is a joy doubled.” Is there a burden that you are carrying now that you want lifted? Have you shared this burden with someone? Why or why not?

  5. There are four titles given to the Messiah in this passage: 1) Wonderful Counselor, 2) Mighty God, 3) Everlasting Father, and 4) Prince of Peace. What Messianic title is your favorite and why?

2 Peter 1:12-21

In this passage Peter makes it clear that his death is just around the corner. In preparing to accept this bleak reality, Peter’s primary focus is to refresh people’s memory about Jesus Christ. He intends to keep on reminding them of these things, though they know them already and are established in the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ. Peter’s hope is that after his death, the people may be able at any time to recall the gospel of Christ. Peter exhorts them to understand that what he has shared with them in relation to Jesus Christ is not rooted in cleverly devised myths but in fact eyewitness testimony. Peter testifies that he was with Jesus on the holy mountain and personally heard the voice of God the Father say to Jesus, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." Peter urges the community of faith to pay close attention to his eyewitness testimony just as they would observe a lamp shining in a dark place. He pleads with them to keep that light burning through the darkest moments of their life and remain diligent to shining this light until the morning star rises in their hearts (i.e. the second coming of Jesus Christ). Finally, Peter wants them to understand that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

  1. Is your death or the death of a family member or friend just around the corner? How does Peter’s awareness of his own death resonate with you?

  2. If you had a clear sense that your time on this earth was near an end, what would be your primary focus and purpose in life for the days that remained?

  3. Peter knew that the people already knew about Jesus and that they were established in the faith but he still wanted to remind them of these truths. What might Peter’s approach here mean for our knowledge of scripture and understanding of spiritual traditions like Baptism and Holy Eucharist?

  4. Why do we hold the early church Apostles in such high regard?

  5. Have you ever shared your personal testimony of Christ with a family member or friend? Why or why not? What was this experience like?

  6. What does this passage suggest we do during the darkest moments of our life?

  7. Differentiate between a sacred prophecy and a secular prediction? Why does this distinction matter?

Luke 22:54-69

This passage describes Peter’s denial of Jesus and also the trial of Jesus. The Bible tells us that when they seized Jesus and led him away, they brought him into the high priest's house. Peter followed Jesus at a distance. Some people had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together. Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man also was with him." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about!" At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. Jesus had predicted Peter’s denial and not it unfolded just as Jesus had said. We can only imagine how this reality pierced Peter’s heart. Our attention then shifts towards the men who were holding Jesus. These men began to mock Jesus and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?" They kept heaping many other insults on him. When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He replied, "If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." We can only imagine the patience Jesus possessed as he went through his trial.

  1. Which incident disturbs you more - Peter’s denial of Jesus or Jesus’ trial? Explain.

  2. Peter followed Jesus at a comfortable distance as he was afraid for his own life. Have you followed Jesus closely with courage or cowardly from a distance?

  3. When was the last time that you shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with a complete stranger? What was this experience like? What might this suggest: courage or coward?

  4. The men blindfolded, mocked, and beat Jesus? How have our thoughts, words or deeds insulted someone else?

  5. Have you ever had someone deny your truth even after you sincerely shared it with them? What did this rejection feel like? What do you think enabled Jesus to remain patient and confident even in the face of such rejection?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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