Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 4: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalms 8 and 84
Ecclesiastes 3:16 to 4:3; Galatians 3:1 to 14; Matthew 14:13 to 21:
“Just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:6 – 7)
Above all identifiers of who I am, I consider myself first and foremost a believing descendant of Abraham. Biologically, Abraham (son of Terah of Ur: Genesis 11: 26 – 32) was from what we now call Iraq. I claim no genetic relationship to him in that way. This faith-based believing relationship is more important to me than being African American or any descriptor of human identification. What I claim is a spiritual and believing relationship to Abraham in the Holy Spirit of God. We underestimate the power of faith and in particular the power of believing.
Believing is everything to me. This doesn’t mean that I never drift off course. Sadly, I do. But even in my waywardness I believe. It’s funny how different Bible verses over the years take on more importance as one grows stronger in the faith. I am going through some sadness now regarding the political unrest in America. So what stands out for me now is John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.” These are comforting words. Abraham too had stressful days but he always believed in God. Paul’s letter to the Galatians reminds us that as believing descendants of Abraham we have a most important heritage.
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: (Using BCP p. 289)
O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 