Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 5: Year 2
Psalm 75, 76; Psalm 23, 27; Num. 3:1-13; Gal. 6:11-18; Matt. 17:1-13
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ (Matthew 17:5)
This is the second time we hear this proclamation from heaven. In chapter three of Matthew after Jesus was baptized a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) The big difference here is the addition of “listen to him.” I am currently putting together a book wherein listening is the first of five “L”s that leads to life enhancement and leadership. More on that at another time.
Inherent in listening is learning and the expectation of amendment of life. Our duty here on earth, in this lifetime, is to prepare ourselves for our eternal time with God. As much as the Book of Ecclesiastes talks about “all is vanity under the sun,” the writer sums the whole thing up in the last words from yesterday’s reading; “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
God said, our Lord Jesus is His Son, listen to him.
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through the saints of God and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John
