Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 3, Year 2:
Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39:
Proverbs 15:16 to 33; 1st Timothy 1:18 to 2:8; Matthew 12:33 to 42:
“The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.” (Matthew 12:35)
This Matthew reading for today has two interesting observations. First, it seems to be more about things we have said rather than the deeds we have done. I would like to think that actions speaks louder than words. But in either, we will be held accountable. Which leads to the second observation, those who have gone before us are the ones who might condemn us.
In his response to the scribes Jesus speaks of the people of Nineveh listening to Jonah; and then Candice, or “The queen of the South,” listening to the words of Solomon. In each case Jesus says that those who repented or learned from listening to goodness or prophetic wisdom, will not only be saved, but will sit in judgment on us (this generation).
I imagine walking around in my after life and seeing people from the Bible coming together to sit in judgment on me. There would be Abraham and his sons, there would be Elijah, there would be the apostles; and of course Jesus himself sitting as Judge. What would this panel have to say about how well I listened, and then behaved?
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
Let us pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to listen with the ears of our hearts in order that we may say and do those things that are pleasing in your sight. In your most holy Name we pray. Amen.
onewhoponders 