A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings
In this passage, the Lord is praised for comforting his people but the question remains as to why they needed to suffer in the first place. Because of their captivity in Babylon, Zion wonders “Does God really care about us?” Zion feels forsaken and forgotten by God. To this feeling of abandonment, God responds by reaffirming his commitment to Zion. Just as a loving mother would never forget her nursing child, or fail to show compassion for the child of her womb, God would never forget Zion. It is interesting to note that just as Zion was inscribed on the palms of God’s hands, our sins are imprinted on the nail-pierced hands of Christ crucified. A word of hope is given as God assures Zion that those who are committed to building up Zion outdo those who seek to destroy Zion. The suffering which appears ugly to Zion now will become like a beautiful ornament when everything is said and done. With God’s help, Zion will give birth to joy even during the time of its bereavement. Those who were alone will find themselves surrounded by a community of faithful supporters. Zion’s most powerful enemies will bow down to Zion and lick the dust of its feet. It is then that the world will realize that God is Lord over all. Those who wait upon the Lord will not be put to shame.
How has God comforted you?
Have you ever wondered if God really cares about you? What made you feel that way?
Has there been an experience in your life where you felt forsaken and forgotten? Describe that experience and how you handled that situation.
Name 3 people who make you feel appreciated and valuable?
How does Zion being inscribed on the palms of God’s hands point toward the Christ event?
Are there more people for you or against you? Compare and contrast those who seek to build you up against those who seek to destroy you.
How have you experienced something beautiful emerge out of a season of suffering?
Do you believe joy can be born out of bereavement? Why or why not?
Do you feel supported by your community of faith? Why or why not?
Have you ever experienced the downfall of your enemies? Explain.
What does waiting upon the Lord involve? List some practical steps that you can do to make waiting more purposeful.
This passage addresses the faith vs works debate. Paul argues that it is foolish to think that we are saved by our works for it is actually our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us. Many in the Galathian church knew that Jesus Christ had been crucified for their sins. Yet, they had forgotten the real agency behind their salvation and begun to think that their words and deeds saved them. Paul reminds them that just as Abraham "believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," so, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham. Paul goes even further by pointing out that the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the Gentiles shall be blessed in you." Those who believe are blessed with Abraham who believed. However, those who rely on their own works are still under the curse of death. Blessed are we if we grasp the truth that Christ alone has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Let there be no doubt - we are saved by the grace of God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In your opinion, which is more important faith or works? Explain.
Are we saved by our works? Why do you feel this way?
How have the choices you have made in life been at odds with what you know to be true about Jesus Christ?
Explain the phrase - “Christ became a curse for us.” What does this phrase really mean?
In this passage the apostles gather around Jesus, and tell him all that they had done and taught. There were so many people seeking the apostles' attention that the apostles did not even have time to eat. Jesus, sensing that the apostles were worn out and exhausted, encouraged them to get in a boat and cross over to the other shore so that they could rest a while. As soon as the apostles tried to make a break for it, people saw them going and recognized them. People from all over hurried to the other shore on foot and arrived ahead of the apostles. When Jesus and the apostles arrived at shore, they saw a great crowd. We can only imagine how frustrating this must have been for the apostles. In the midst of their weakness, Jesus stood strong and purchased forward with the ministry. We are told that Jesus had compassion on the crowd for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat." A fair and reasonable request by the disciples to Jesus. However, Jesus answered them, "You give them something to eat." The disciples were shocked. Not only did they lack physical resources but there were too many mouths to feed. In the midst of an impossible situation, Jesus opened the door to new possibilities. Jesus asked the disciples, "How many loaves have you?” The disciples responded, "Five, and two fish." Then Jesus ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. While the disciples had every reason to refuse this illogical request of Jesus, they obeyed in faith and had the people sit down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. What was about to happen no one but Jesus could have predicted. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. By any calculation, there was bound to be a shortage of food. Yet, the Bible tells us that all ate and were filled. The miracle does not end there. The story goes on to say that the disciples took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. We can imagine the disciples wondering aloud, “What the hell just happened?” Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while Jesus dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to the crown, Jesus went up on the mountain to pray. Wow! This had to take your breath away!
At the end of a long and hard day, who do you share your experience with? Who is there to listen to what you have gone through and how it made you feel?
Has there been a time when you were busy that you literally did not have time to eat? How did this make you feel?
When all you want to do is rest a while but those around you keep wanting your time, attention and help, what do you do?
Are you able to be compassionate even when you feel like you are at the end of your rope?
How has Jesus stood strong for you when you were going through a weak point in your life?
Describe a time when you pushed forward with your responsibilities even when you did not want to? What helped you push forward?
When you look out on the world, do you see sheep without a shepherd? If so, what does this compel you to do?
What impossible situation are you confronted with today?
How might Christ open the door to possibilities in the midst of your impossible situation?
The miracle of the feeding of 5000 started with 5 loaves and 2 fish. What are your thoughts about the following statement: “Miracles never begin with zero”?
What message can we infer from the extra twelve baskets full of broken pieces and fish?
Is it sinful or sacred to come away from the crowd when they have need of us? Explain.
To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Thomas+
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