Daily Office Readings for the Last Thursday after the Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;
Habakkuk 3:1 to 18; Philippians 3:12 to 21; John 17:1 to 8:
“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13 and 14)
All of us are a continual “work in progress.” We live and learn and hopefully build on what we have, intellectually, financially, physically, relationally, and most importantly, spiritually. These latter two come together as they relate to our spiritual connection to God. We build on our relationship with God through prayer and study, pondering about our connection to God.
The writer to the Church in Philippi suggests that as we weekly gather with those whom we trust we are also seeking more understanding in order that we might learn more together. He writes, “Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. (Philippians 3:15) But all the while we are to keep what we have and build on it. “Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:16).
I meet with several theological study groups during the week. We always start with prayer asking the Holy Spirit of God to be present with us and to soften our hearts in order that we might not insist on our own way but rather, be willing to accept the Truth as it is made known to us.
I have been asking us to keep the Ukrainian people in prayer. I still want that but I want us to also keep the Russian People (many of whom object to what their government leaders are doing) in our prayers as well. Being with those who are mature and of the same mind gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to correct us. We must “press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” All we have to do is listen. God engineered the human face such that when our mouths are closed, our ears open!
Today our Church remembers Thomas Bray: Priest and Missionary (15 Feb 1730) check him out at http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Thomas_Bray.htm
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, 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 