A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings
This passage offers both chastening and mercy for Judah. The Lord clearly sees the hard hearts of His people - the hypocrisy of Judah. God identifies His people as the ‘house of Jacob’ - the name Jacob essentially means “deceiver, cheater”. God makes the argument that, while these people might refer to themselves as “Israel” (which means ‘governed by God’), they do not have the character of people whose heart is right with God. They are described as being obstinate, their neck like an iron sinew, and their forehead like brass. The saddest part of this situation is that they knew the truth about how awesome and wonderful God was but they chose to follow idols. Yet, in God’s mercy, he deferred his anger and did not destroy them. God’s ultimate desire was to refine them and test them through the furnace of adversity. God is giving them a second chance so that the glory of God might be manifested.
What criticism would God make against us?
How has God shown us mercy when we did not deserve it?
How have you been guilty of elevating yourself by diminishing others?
Where in your life is there hypocrisy?
In what ways have you deceived or cheated those around by pretending to have good intentions while in reality your thoughts, words and deeds are rooted in evil intentions?
What idols have we embraced at the expense of our relationship with God, and why is it so hard to let God’s ways and plans direct our life?
Are you manifesting God’s glory to those around you?
This passage raises the question of authority. Paul argues that his authority does not come from the world but from Jesus Christ and the church. The truth of Christ has set us free but we have enslaved ourselves with a false gospel. This false gospel confuses God’s people by perverting the truth about Christ. Paul warns the people that if anyone, even an angel from heaven, promotes a false gospel they will be cursed. We are not expected to seek validation from the world but rather from God. We are not supposed to master others for our own selfish gain. Rather, we must accept our role as servants of Christ. Paul confesses that his earlier life in Judaism was focused on violently persecuting the church of God in hopes of destroying it. His life was driven by a false purpose. The good news is that God had set Paul apart before he was born, called him through grace, and revealed Jesus to him so that he might proclaim Christ to the world. Now, Paul argues that he does intend to confer with any worldly power about his divine call to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.
Define authority.
What authority do you believe you have?
Where does your authority come from?
What is truth?
Would you consider yourself free to speak the truth or enslaved by a false narrative?
What will happen to those who spread lies?
How have you persecuted the church?
Is there something that you need to confess or repent about?
What is the good news that Paul embraced? How does this good news impact your life?
Name one person with whom you have shared the good news of Jesus Christ. How long ago was this and what was this experience like?
Have you heard of the phrase - “cancel culture”? What does this phrase mean to you?
What is the relationship between “cancel culture” and “grace”?
In this passage Jesus demonstrates his authority over sickness and death. First we hear about the healing of Jairus’ daughter. Second, we have the story of a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. In both situations, Jesus acknowledges the real emotions associated with the situation (i.e. fear, anxiety, grief). To the hemorrhaging woman he asks, “who touched my clothes?” To the grieving community he asks, “Why do you make a commotion and weep?” Jesus raises these questions in an attempt to exhort his followers to not lean on their own understanding but to acknowledge their faith regardless of what the world might think. Ultimately, we see Jesus serve as a fountain of healing. About the woman who touched Jesus’ clothes, it is said that immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. About Jairus’ daughter, it is said that while many assumed she was dead, Jesus took her by the hand, spoke to her, and immediately the girl got up and began to walk about. In both of these stories the message is quite clear: the authority of Christ to transform the life of his followers is immediate. There is no delay.
Which story (Jairus’ daughter or hemorrhaging woman) resonates with you the most and why?
In what area of your life has Christ brought you healing? Have you shared that experience of healing with a family and friend?
Are you comfortable or uncomfortable sharing your true emotions with Jesus? How about with members of your faith community?
How has your understanding of limits (what is and is not possible) stood as an obstacle to the miracle of faith?
Reflect on a time when you let go of your limited understanding of a situation and gave into your faith? How did this transition bring about an immediate transformation in how you approached your crisis?
To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Thomas+
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