A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Ezekiel 3:4-11

This passage offers us strength in the midst of our difficult calling to serve the Lord. Ezekiel’s focus on his own people made his ministry harder. Deep down inside, Ezekiel knew that the Gentiles would have been more receptive to his message, even as Nineveh responded to the preaching of Jonah. What we learn here is that God’s ways are not always our ways, his plans are not our plans. Instead of complaining or grumbling to God about not getting what we want, we must receive in our heart and hear with our ears the words that God speaks to us. Only then will we be emboldened to face the struggles of life and transform for the better the communities in which we live. Let us then be very mindful of how the world seeks to influence us, and make sure that we do not stand in opposition to God’s will for our life.

  1. How are you currently serving the Lord?

  2. What difficulties are you facing while serving the Lord?

  3. Where do you get the strength to overcome the obstacles you confront when trying to serve the needs of others?

  4. Do you feel it is easier or harder to serve in a context/culture similar to your own? Explain.

  5. In what ways has God’s plan for your life been different from your plan?

  6. How have you complained about not getting what you want?

  7. What is the secret to overcoming the struggles of life and transforming our community for the better? Why do you think this way?

  8. How does the messaging of the world inhibit your relationship with God and others?

Acts 10:34-44

In this passage, Peter preaches to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house and lays down the foundation for why the gospel should now go forth to Gentiles. The thought of preaching salvation to the Gentiles was a radical argument. It went completely against the prevailing Jewish thought at that time that God was partial towards the Jews. In essence, many Jews of Peter’s day thought that God loved the Jews while hating the Gentiles. Yet, in the Old Testament it says, “for the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17) Peter understood the unconditional love of God in Jesus Christ, and he was not going to allow socio-political barriers to scare him into keeping quiet. We are told that while Peter was in the midst of sharing this radical message, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word of God.

  1. Who was the gospel of Christ meant for and why?

  2. Name three people to whom you have shared the gospel. How similar or different are they when compared to you?

  3. What “Gentile” group has God been calling you to share the gospel with but you have been scared to do so? Why are you scared?

  4. Is there a group in your mind that you feel God genuinely hates? Explain.

  5. Does God hate? Explain.

  6. What radical truth is God calling you to share with the world?

  7. What might a radical release of the Holy Spirit in your life look like in a practical sense?

Ezekiel 34:11-16

In this passage, God promises to do the work the unfaithful shepherds would not do. God says, “I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. … I will feed them with justice.” The message of this passage is reiterated in the Psalm 23, and also in the foreshadowing of the parable of the lost sheep, and in Jesus’ claim to be the ‘Good Shepherd.’

  1. What unfaithful Christians have you personally met or interacted with?

  2. Are you a faithful or unfaithful Christian? Why do you feel this way?

  3. What should a good shepherd (i.e. good Christian) feed God’s sheep with?

  4. Is there a model of a good shepherd that we can follow?

  5. Who is a model good shepherd?

  6. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good shepherd?

  7. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a bad shepherd?

John 21:15-22

This passage offers us a glimpse into the restoration of Peter after he had denied Jesus three times. This restoration takes place over breakfast as Jesus asks Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" Interestingly, Jesus proceeds to ask Peter this same question three times. After the third time, it was as if a light bulb went on in Peter. He was convicted by his own denial of Jesus which occurred three times. Talk about a flashback! Then Peter responded, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." At this point, Jesus had every right to judge and condemn Peter. However, instead of throwing Peter under the bus, Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.” Wow! The same Peter who had denied Jesus three times was now being called by Jesus into the ministry. This was definitely a joyful moment but it was also a moment of deep discernment. Jesus was calling Peter from where he was to where Jesus wanted Peter to be. “Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After this Jesus said to him, "Follow me." When Peter turned to follow Jesus, he saw the disciple John whom Jesus loved following them. When Peter saw John, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!"

  1. Define “RESTORATION.”

  2. What did Peter do that he needed to be restored from?

  3. What role do conviction and confession play in the process of restoration?

  4. What in your past do you need to be restored from?

  5. How is God convicting your heart?

  6. What do you need to come clean with and confess before God?

  7. Have you personally experienced the joy of restoration?

  8. Reflect for a moment where you have felt lost or experienced failure in your life. Deeply discern where God is wanting you to be going forward? What practical changes is God calling to embrace?

  9. How prepared are you to glorify God through your own sacrifices?

  10. What is the key to transitioning from a life of forsaking Jesus to a life of following Jesus?

  11. Peter became curious about John’s role in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus asked Peter, “What is that to you?” How might focusing on the restoration of others cause us to lose sight of our own need for restoration?

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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