Daily Office Readings for Monday of the Second Week of Epiphany; Year 1
Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15:
Isaiah 44:6-8,21-23; Ephesians 4:1-16; Mark 3:7-19a
“And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message” (Mark 3: 14)
Jesus appointed people to assist in the work of caring out the message. I think caring out the message is the work of every Christian. To receive the message in Church and then carry that message out from the Church into everyday life. This message is carried out not only in word but also in our conduct. As St Francis said, “Go out and preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.” This means that the primary method of spreading the good news is by our compassion and kindness. There are so many now who don’t bother to go to Church. They have given up on Good News. But they still need it. That’s where we come in. We hear the word and take it into ourselves. Then we go out and do good works through the faith re-kindled in us through the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Table. With the Presence of Christ in us we go out and meet people, some are family, some are friends, some are people we have never met before. But we have the Risen Christ within us.
I can remember when I took Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and was assigned a floor in a hospital. I was nervous about entering a patient’s room. I don’t know why, I just was. Then, I remembered the words of our supervisor who said “Go to them and just be, Christ will do the work of relationship.” And that is exactly what happened. I never experienced one problem. All Christians are appointed to do the work of taking Jesus out to people who need him. Do not worry and do not be afraid. God in faith, and Christ in you, will do the heavy lifting. Be well.
Today we remember Fabian; Bishop and Martyr (January 20, 250) and his information may be found at: Fabian
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: (BCP p.834)
Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 