Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 119:97 to 120; Evening, Psalms 81and 82;
Genesis 45:16 to 28; 1st Corinthians 8:1 to 13; Mark 6:13 to 29:
“But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.” (1st Corinthians 8:9)
Paul here is talking about not eating food dedicated to idols. But we can all look deeper into our own lives as thinking Christians. Reason is one of the three legs of the three-legged stool that Richard Hooker used as a metaphor for us to think about in terms of our Church; Scripture, Tradition and Reason. They all carry the same and equal guidance in our Church tradition as taught in our Anglican/Episcopal faith. We have the Holy Scriptures, our Church liturgy and leadership, and we each have our God-given sense of morality and right behavior given to us by God in Christ Jesus.
Personally, I like to have a beer every now and then. But I will not stop at a store and purchase beer while wearing clericals (clergy shirt with tab or collar). North Carolina, being part of the Southern “Bible belt” where beliefs are pretty fundamental, right or wrong, I don’t want people who think ill of me, or of my Church. If the people in my community saw me purchasing beer, dressed as clergy they might think me to be a hypocrite.
Are there any practices or enjoyments that you have that could become a stumbling-block to the weak? The field of misleading activities are wide ranging; the movies we enjoy, the books we read, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the company we keep, and on and on. I think we will be okay in our individual ways if we use moderation and discretion, but we must use caution with regard to what we reveal about ourselves, in person, and especially on social media platforms. “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.” (1st Corinthians 8:9)
Let us pray:
All mighty God, who set us an example of how to conduct ourselves in Jesus Christ, help us to live in community with moderation and discipline. Keep us ever mindful that we are always teaching in our everyday activities even when we think no one is watching. Lead us and guide us O Lord to do those things that are pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh North Carolina.
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 