Daily Office Readings for Friday of the Sixth Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
Genesis 32:22 to 33:17; 1st John 3:1 to 10; John 10:31 to 42:
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him” (1st John 3: 1)
Our Lord Jesus walked among us teaching us to behave like Children of God. He adopted us as brothers and sisters in Himself and therefore heirs to the kingdom. We are not like many in the world. We, as believers are grafted into the family-hood of God. That means we are different. We do not repay evil for evil. We treat others like we would have them treat us.
There are people who do not know this about the nature of God. When they see the love we have they know not where it comes from and don’t understand what it means to be civil and decent and loving towards others. It is God’s way but the reason the world does not know us is that it does not know the Ways of God.
Our Lord Jesus goes on to say, “All who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters (1st John 3:10). I think the truth is that we are all from God but some of us have de-selected to be a part of God’s family because they have decided to worship the created rather than the Creator. To re-member as a part of the family of God our Lord Jesus says we are to do what is right and love our brothers and sisters. If we are to do what is right then it is implied that we already know the right thing to do. We have that “gut” feeling that tells us the right path. That right path is not promised to be easy. But it is right and good so to do.
Please be cautioned about two things: first, many of our brothers and sisters whom we are called to love are different than ourselves (race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, language, and political party). Second, some of our brothers and sisters go out of their way to be difficult to love. Love them anyway. In many ways it’s like being in any regular family. It is no wonder then that some families have the so-called “lost child.” Perhaps these lost family members are preparing us for what God is asking us to do on a global stage, love them anyway. This earth is our family home and we are all family, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Thank You Lord Jesus.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 