A Reflection on the Daily Office Readings

Collect

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.


Acts 3:1-10

This passage depicts an incident where Peter and John were going up to the temple to pray and a man lame from birth asked them for alms (money given to poor people). We are told that there were people who would lay the lame man at the gate of the temple on a daily basis, and it is interesting to note that the name of the gate was ‘Beautiful’. Peter and John respond by looking intently at the lame man, and asking him to make eye contact with them. When the lame man fixes his attention on them (obviously expecting to receive something from them), Peter says to the lame man - "Silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk." Then Peter took the man by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. The man jumped to his feet, entered the temple with Peter and John, and praised God. All the people saw this miracle and were filled with wonder and amazement.

  1. When sights and sounds do we experience or fail to experience as we worship?

  2. Have you ever experienced giving alms to a person in need? If not, then why not? If so, then what was that experience like?

  3. Who were the people that laid the lay man at the gate of the temple on a daily basis? Why do you think they were doing this?

  4. In what way does the name of the gate ‘Beautiful’ add meaning to the story?

  5. How important is eye contact in relationship building? Explain why you feel this way.

  6. Have you ever given Jesus Christ to someone? If not, then why not? If so, then what was that experience like?

  7. In your opinion, what in this story was so wonderful and amazing? Why do you feel this way?


Psalm 105:1-8

In this passage the Psalmist David exhorts us to begin each day with a grateful heart. We are reminded to offer God words of thanksgiving, and to tell everyone we meet what God has done for us. Let us remember the amazing ways God has worked in the past, and keep our eyes open to what God is doing in the present. If we watch carefully, then we will see the great works of God. Therefore, we remain alert so that we do not miss the signs of God’s presence for we know that God has power over all of creation. We are comforted in knowing that just as God made a covenant with those who have gone before us in the faith, God has made a covenant with us. This brings us great peace and enormous joy because we are confident that God’s word is always reliable.

  1. Do you begin each day with a grateful heart? Why or why not?

  2. How intentional are you about telling others what God has done for you? Explain.

  3. What is God doing in your life right now that those around you might not know yet?

  4. Have there been times when you missed the signs of God’s presence in your life? Why might this be an ongoing struggle?

  5. What about God’s covenant with you brings you comfort, peace and joy?

  6. Has God’s word ever let you down? Explain.


Luke 24:13-35

This passage describes the experience of two disciples as they journey to Emmaus. When they were about seven miles from Jerusalem, Jesus joined them along the way but they did not recognize Him. When Jesus asked them what they were discussing, these two disciples stood still and explained to him that they were sad because Jesus of Nazereth was crucified and died. Jesus addressed their foolishness by turning their attention to the words of the prophets and scriptures in general. Jesus points that His death was foretold and that none of this should come as a surprise. Then, as they came near to Emmaus, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going in a different direction. However, the disciples urged this stranger (still not recognizing him as Jesus) to stay with them. Jesus obliged. When it was dinner time, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. It was at that moment, that the disciples' eyes were opened, and they recognized that it was Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus vanished from their sight as if the incident never took place. Bewildered, the disciples said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" We are told that in that same hour, the disciples got up, returned to Jerusalem, and found the other eleven disciples and their companions gathered together. The other eleven disciples affirmed that Jesus had indeed risen and that Jesus had appeared to Simon. Then the two disciples shared what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

  1. What difficult journey are you on right now that is filled with sadness or frustration?

  2. How has the heaviness of your emotions blinded you from seeing Jesus in your midst?

  3. What mysterious power unfolds in the midst of Holy Eucharist that enables you to perceive things that you would not be able to perceive otherwise?

  4. Why is it important to mutually share our life experiences as people of faith?


To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Thomas+



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