Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
Isaiah 48:1 to 11; Galatians 1:1 to 17; Mark 5:21 to 43;
“For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1: 11 and 12)
Let us ponder about Paul’s acknowledgment that his understanding of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus did not come from, or was taught to him, from human origin.
He received the Gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ. I like calling this revelation a “Glimmer of Grace.” This is the same way that the Apostle John received his revelation in which he told about and was later put to print; The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John” or just plain “Revelation,” the last recorded book in our Christian Bible. Many readers either don’t understand this book or just don’t like it. I have read where Martin Luther, Theologian (1546), thought the book ought to be excluded. However, it was not.
Revelation from God in Christ Jesus is invaluable. Such revelation opens our minds far beyond anything we could learn on our own. Such revelation was shared with Saul/Paul as he was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and bring them captive back to Jerusalem. The Risen and Spiritual Jesus revealed to Paul his new ministry. This was Paul’s Conversion.
We too can have a conversion revelation. It will perhaps not be as dramatic as Paul’s was but life-changing none the less. All we need to do is be attentive to our Lord Jesus moving in our lives. It might be good to have a positive attitude. Try to do what you believe is the right thing. This is what Paul was doing although he was misguided. So, our Lord Jesus straightened him out and adjusted his path. Our Lord Jesus will do the same with us too. God sends people to us all the time with messages even they are not aware of. You should be especially curious if you realize the same message coming to you three times in a short period of time. If you see the bush burning, go and check it out. God needs you and wants to co-create with you. You will receive a Glimmer of Grace.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 