Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 27: Year 2
AM Psalm [83] or 23, 27; PM Psalm 85, 86;
Joel 2:21to27; James 1:1to15; Luke 15:1to2 and 11to32.
“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5)
These are powerful words of truth from James. We are all lacking wisdom at some level. We must realize this and then ask God for more wisdom. But let us have this basic and primary understanding, God will know the reason for our wanting more understanding. And such desires should be in order that we might love God more and more; and love our neighbor more and more. Desire for knowledge to only benefit ourselves and to our personal advantage among our neighbors, is frowned on by God.
Let us remember Solomon who asked God for wisdom, for understanding, not so much for himself, but so that he could be a better leader for God’s people. Solomon prayed to God, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1Kings 3:9). Solomon, living a thousand years before James, also knew that God is the source of the understanding of what is good. And God liked the reasons for which Solomon was asking for understanding. It is written, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind” (1Kings 3: 10 to 12).
My primary method of prayer is meditation. It is in meditation that I ponder things. I do this by sitting quietly in a room alone. I follow the guidance of Blaise Pascal who said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” It is in such a way that I follow Solomon’s example and the advice of James. I invite you who are reading this blog to do the same. Just find some time to sit quietly and be open to God, God who so much wants to be with you and talk to you. James says, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”
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
onewhoponders 