A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Isaiah 41:1-16

The message assures us that we need not be afraid. The world might judge and condemn us based on lies and untruths. However, in God’s holy court the naysayers will be silenced while God’s people are renewed in strength and emboldened to speak the truth. The Lord of all creation is the only who truly sits upon the throne of judgment. Like Israel, we are God’s friend; he calls us into his comforting presence even if the world has kicked us to the curb. We are reminded of God’s assurance to Israel, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off. Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. … Then you shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.”

  1. What are you most afraid of?

  2. How have others falsely judged and condemned you?

  3. Have you ever wrongly accused someone? If so, then explain what happened.

  4. How does the fact that God alone sits on the throne of judgment influence how you respond to those who criticize you and complain about you?

  5. What brings you comfort when you feel like you have been kicked to the curb?

  6. Do you resonate with God’s assurance to Israel? Why or why not?

Ephesians 2:1-10

This passage explains how God reconciles us to himself. There was a time when we were spiritually dead because we disobeyed God’s plan for our life. We had sinned by following the ways of this world and by chasing our fleshly desires. Yet, our faith tells us that God, in his unconditional love and unfailing mercy, raised us up to new with Christ through grace. This is not our own doing; it is the gift of God. It is not the result of our own works. Therefore, we should never boast in ourselves for we are what God has made us to be. We have been created anew in Christ in order to do good works which was God’s plan for us all along.

  1. Define reconciliation.

  2. In what area of  your life do you experience discord or dysfunctional dynamics with someone?

  3. Do you consider yourself spiritually dead or alive? Explain why you feel this way.

  4. How have you been guilty of following the ways of the world and chasing desires of the flesh?

  5. In what ways have you experienced God’s unconditional love and unfailing mercy?

  6. Is boasting a bad thing? Why or why not?

  7. If there is something that you boast about, then what is it?

  8. What is God’s ultimate plan for us?

Mark 1:29-45

In this passage we see three stories of healing. The first healing is of Peter’s mother-in-law who had been in bed with a fever. Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. The second healing is of all who were sick or possessed with demons. The Bible then tells us that in the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. After praying, Jesus went to the neighboring towns to proclaim God’s word. It is after this that we have the third healing which takes place as Jesus makes a leper clean. In light of these three dramatic displays of power, we would not be surprised if Jesus went about and proudly boasted about himself. Yet, Jesus does the exact opposite. He even goes as far as instructing the leper to not say anything to anyone. Jesus directed the leper to do three things: 1) to visit the priest, 2) to make an offering to God, and 3) to share his personal testimony. Unfortunately, the leper disobeyed Christ’s instructions and began publicly spreading the news about what happened to him. Consequently, Jesus could no longer go into a town openly but stayed far out in the countryside. Even still, people came to him to be healed and to hear the message of God.

  1. What are the three stories of healing in this passage?

  2. Do you have a personal story of healing?

  3. When Peter’s mother-in-law was healed, she began to serve. Why did she do this? What might this suggest about our response to God’s blessing in our life?

  4. Do you make time to be alone with God in the morning and to pray while it is still dark outside? How might such a spiritual practice impact your approach to the day?

  5. What three things did Jesus ask the leper to do? What unique gift does each of these things bring when we are struggling with life’s storms?

  6. The actions of the leper placed Jesus in a precarious situation. What have we knowingly or unknowingly done to cause someone to go away from the church or not feel accepted in the community of faith?

  7. People still sought Jesus out even though he was far out in the countryside. What lengths do you go to in order to spend time with Jesus?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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