Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 10: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;
Joshua 4:19-5:1,10-15; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 26:17-25:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12: 21)
So why does evil exist? Many say evil is the work of the devil; perhaps. Personally, I think it is more the product of psychosis focused on hurtful, and often hateful outcomes that lack any sense of love. It is a byproduct of free will. I might even suggest that evil happens in the absence of love. But love doesn’t just happen, it is taught. It is taught, or should be taught in the family, from birth.
Children who are loved, love others. Children who are resented, resent others. Maybe the psychosis of evil will show some chemical imbalance in the brain as a probable cause. Whatever the cause, evil is among us. Our response to it when we see it is to not let it cause a toxic relationship between us, but rather, use the abundance of love that we have been taught to overcome it.
In my studies I have come to believe that God is pure Goodness and Love. Evil cannot exist by itself. Evil cannot exist without a first Good to contrast with. From the beginning in Genesis we see first good, and then evil “happens.” We must study the words of God to Cain in the Genesis story when God said, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it,” (Genesis 4:7). Therefore, sin, or evil, is lurking, it has from the beginning, when life was brought into being. Creation was formed to be good. Be good therefore, for goodness sake. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Let us keep the goodness of Ukraine in our prayers as they struggle against evil.
“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 