Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 3: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;
Proverbs 21:30 to 22:6; 1st Timothy 4:1 to 16; Matthew 13:24 to 30:
“Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1st Timothy 4:7 and 8)
Paul’s words to Timothy are encouraging, especially for clergy, or any good teacher for that matter. I like physical training as well as spiritual practice. I realize the my physical self will eventually close down. But I also believe that my spiritual self will continue on.
In this passage we have for today, Paul also says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers;” (1st Timothy 4:16). This is living the example. We must pay close attention to ourselves and develop good habits and practices remembering that someone is always watching us. We are teaching even when we don’t know it. We are more than the food we eat, we are the habits we keep.
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 God, you are always watching us and guiding us. Help us, we pray, to be better people by monitoring our behavior and habits. Guide us dear God in ways of godliness that is valuable in every way, holding promise for both this present life and the life to come. Amen.
onewhoponders 