A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Isaiah 45:18-25

In this passage the Lord declares His greatness and the foolishness of idolatry. “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” There are no secrets here. The Lord speaks the truth that those who carry around a wooden idol pray to a god that cannot save. Therefore turn to God and be saved for the day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that only in the Lord are righteousness and strength. Anyone who opposes the Lord will be put to shame. Those who confide in the Lord will triumph.

  1. What secret idols consume your time and energy?

  2. How much time do you typically spend reading the Bible on a daily basis?

  3. Where in your daily schedule can you find more time to spend studying God’s word?

  4. Do you have joy in your life? Why or why not?

  5. Are you at peace? Why or why not?

  6. Do you believe that there will be a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that only in the Lord are righteousness and strength? Why or why not?

  7. Describe a situation where you opposed the Lord? What was the result of that opposition?

  8. How intensely do you trust God with what you are going through?

Philippians 3:4b-11

This passage addresses the priority of a relationship with Jesus over blind rigidity to rules and regulations. Paul recognizes that there might be valid reasons for us to have confidence in ourselves when it comes to spiritual discipline. However, Paul emphasizes that whatever accolades he has earned, none of it compares to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Paul points out that the sacrifice that Jesus has made for the world makes Paul’s suffering look like rubbish. Paul argues that our righteousness does not come from rigidity to rules and regulations but through faith in Christ. Knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection is the purpose that drives our life. Our deepest desire must be to become like him in his death so that we can be like him in his resurrection.

  1. Do you consider yourself more a rule follower or a relationship builder?

  2. How disciplined are you spiritually? Describe specifically what your spiritual discipline looks like?

  3. What religious accolades have you earned? What do these accolades mean to you?

  4. How has knowing Christ as Lord and Savior impacted your life?

  5. Explain in a few words the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for the world? How does the sacrifice that Jesus made compare to the sacrifices you have made?

  6. Where does our righteousness come from?

  7. What is the purpose that drives your life?

  8. What is your deepest desire and why?

Acts 9:1-22

This passage tells the amazing story of Saul’s conversion. Saul transitions from an angry, violent man consumed with his own righteousness to a joyful, peaceful man humbled by the love of Jesus Christ. In a moment of transformation, Saul was arrested by a light from heaven and apprehended by a divine voice which asked, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" All Saul could do was acknowledge his ignorance in this profound moment of revelation. He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul was moving from being a know-it-all to understanding that all he needed to know was the love of Jesus Christ. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a disciple named Ananias. A similar change was about to happen in the life of Ananias. When the Lord invited Ananias to minister to Saul, Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." Like Saul, Ananias thought he knew it all but the Lord wanted Ananias to know more about what it meant to be a disciple of Christ. The Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." At this point, Ananias could have refused. This was definitely an option on the table. However, chose not to lean on his own understanding but to acknowledge Christ’s call on his life. Ananias approached Saul, laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." The love of Christ moved both men away from being enemies and towards being brothers. In this miraculous display of love healing took place. Ananias welcomed Saul into the body of Christ through baptism and they broke bread together. In the very synagogues that Saul once sought to dismantle and destroy, he began proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. All who heard Saul were amazed by Saul’s conversion. Saul’s testimony was first hand proof that Jesus was truly the Messiah.

  1. Would you describe yourself more like the old Saul (angry, violent, and consumed with self righteousness) or new Saul (joyful, peaceful, and humbled by the love of Jesus Christ)? Why?

  2. Has there been a time in your life when you were arrested by a light from heaven and apprehended by a divine voice? If so, then describe what that experience was like. If not, then how does God communicate with you?

  3. Saul found himself to be ignorant in a profound moment of revelation. What wisdom have you gained which opened your eyes to how much you still did not know?

  4. Do people around you consider you to be someone who is a know-it-all or someone who is humbled to know the love of Jesus Christ? Why do you feel this way?

  5. Do you feel sorry for Ananias and resonate with his reservation about being called to minister to Saul? Why or why not?

  6. What uncomfortable call has Christ made on your life?

  7. Despite many in the Christian community having condemned Saul, Ananias still approached Saul, laid his hands on him, and called him his brother. Who is God calling you to approach, lay hands on, and reconcile with?

  8. In your opinion, can love heal the world and bring about lasting reconciliation? Why or why not?

  9. How effective is your faith community in welcoming strangers into the body of Christ and breaking bread together with them? What specific things can your faith community do to create a more welcoming and loving experience for all?

  10. If you were to share your firsthand experience which proves that Jesus is truly the Savior, then what would you say? (Write a few sentences, and consider sharing your testimony with someone.)

To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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