Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 26: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 61and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:
Ecclesiasticus 43:1to 22; Revelation 14:14to15:8; Luke 13:1to9
“It is the moon that marks the changing seasons, governing the times, their everlasting sign. From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself; how marvelous it is in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens!” (Ecclesiasticus 43: 6 to 8)
As an Education for Ministry (EfM) mentor, I have learned to make use of metaphor to explain life situations and our call as Christians. This is a fine opportunity to do it now with the words from the writer of Ecclesiasticus.
The moon waxes and wanes. It grows, from our earthly perspective, and then shrinks again. When the moon is directly between earth and the sun it is invisible. We call this the New Moon. It is almost like it is born again. It starts out small again and then fills in as the days advance.
We too, as we grow in Christ we reflect the light of the “Son.” We also have a continual need to find a quiet place for solace and contemplation. We have no light of our own. We reflect the Light of our Lord Jesus. As the Church we signal the changing seasons. Advent is approaching, then comes Christmas. Christmas is followed by the light of Epiphany which leads us into Lent. Then the Great Day and season of Easter! Then we’re back to Pentecost or Ordinary time. The Church as the moon has a huge responsibility. We must signal the changing of the seasons, the times, the festal days, the everlasting sign. And we do this by renewing ourselves regularly. It’s important to remember to do self care. Those outside of us count on us. This earth needs the moon to keep it in balance.
Today we remember William Temple; Archbishop of Canterbury (6 November 1944), and his bio can be found at: William Temple. My favorite Temple quote is: “The Church exists primarily for the sake of those who are still outside it. It is a mistake to suppose that God is only, or even chiefly, concerned with religion.”
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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:
O Almighty God, You created us male and female in order that we may grow humanity in faith and love. And like the moon in its newness, it is not seen, just as an infant in the womb is not seen. But then it grows and becomes seen, “ how marvelous it is in this change.” Please keep us ever mindful we pray, that we too wax to our fullness, and then wane back to you, in Your Grand design for all mankind. Amen.
onewhoponders 