Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; Evening, Psalm 119:121-144;
Isaiah 63:15 to 64:9; 1st Timothy 3:1 to16; Mark 11:27 to 12:12:
“Why, O Lord, do you make us stray from your ways and harden our heart, so that we do not fear you? Turn back for the sake of your servants, for the sake of the tribes that are your heritage.” (Isaiah 63:17)
These ancient words from the prophet Isaiah cause me to ponder about so many mass shootings in America. “Why, O Lord, do you make us stray from your ways and harden our heart, so that we do not fear you?” Where has our compassion gone? People today shoot others and then end their own lives. This is so sad. As a preacher I am always concerned about the spiritual health of all people.
The words that precede verse 17 captures our relationship with God. The words read: “Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and glorious habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The yearning of your heart and your compassion? They are withheld from me. For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our father; our Redeemer from of old is your name.” (Isaiah 63: 15 and 16)
America, and indeed our planet, needs a renewed and redeemed realization with God the Father of us all. Sadly we have either forgotten about God or never heard of God. The compassion and love of God is missing in our lives today. I want it back for all of us. “Turn back [Oh God] for the sake of your servants, for the sake of the tribes that are your heritage.”
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God 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 