Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 20: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
2nd Kings 5:19 to 27; 1 Corinthians 5:1 to 8; Matthew 5:27 to 37:
“Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, ‘My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.” (2nd Kings 5:20)
Instead of leaving the decision of Elisha as it was regarding payment by Naaman, Gehazi goes after more. He is greedy and he wants to see Naaman pay more dearly. This is sad. And, he doesn’t get away with it. Elisha informs him upon his return, “Did I not go with you in spirit when someone left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and to accept clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves? (2nd Kings 5:26). And therefore Elisha put the leprosy on Gehazi. What a shame
Gehazi followed a short line of Prophets beginning with Elijah. The spirit was passed on to Elisha. Perhaps with prayer, God would have endowed Gehazi in the same way. But Gehazi was selfish, revengeful and not given to the real care of community.
When we follow worthy mentors, we must examine their conduct very carefully. We should not second guess them if found to be good people. If we don’t agree with their way of life, then perhaps it would be better to move to another mentor. The power of the prophet is not destroyed, it is passed on. But the recipient must be worthy; that is, loving, understanding, selfless and obedient, given to prayer and real concern for the care of his or her community. These traits are what will enable the protégé to become a mentor one day. That is, they will discipline themselves to listen, love, learn, live and finally, to lead as others have who have gone on before have done.
Today our Church remembers Lancelot Andrewes; Bishop and Scholar (September 26, 1626). He reminds us of the importance of Thursdays in our Church history. Two of his commemorations are the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper after which Jesus was arrested; and, forty days after the Sunday of His Resurrection from the dead is of course His ascent back to heaven; Ascension Day, Thursday. I would add, post biblically, that our early settlers established Thanksgiving Day on a Thursday. I wonder if they were influenced by Lancelot Andrews. Ponder, Ponder.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, and our schools.
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 