Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48:
Isaiah 48:12-21; Galatians 1:18-2:10; Mark 6:1-13:
“Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” (Galatians 1: 18 – 23)
Paul’s time was a time before pictures and emails. No one knew what anybody looked like. So when people met Paul they had to ponder about who he used to be and who he is now. We all change over time, hopefully for the better. The same thing is happening in our Mark Reading for today, the people of Nazareth were wondering how Jesus whom they thought they knew, got all his wisdom and power. Unlike Paul however, Jesus never changed, we just had to change to see who He really is.
I know that I am not the person I used to be. And I am so thankful to God for it. However, anytime I travel back to Nashville, Tennessee, those closest to my age assume that I have the same value system that I left with. I do not. Life is more meaningful now and it’s not just because I’m older. My study of Jesus and the Gospel has had a profound effect on the way I interpret experiences.
We are taught by love to be tolerant of others. I think we should be especially intentional about tolerance when we don’t agree with them. The world has many people that I do not agree with. But that’s ok. There is a code of ethics built into our Baptismal Covenant that says that with God’s help we will respect the dignity of every person. What I must remind myself of constantly is that this applies even if they don’t respect themselves. I have been there, in a dark place, where I did not respect myself. I think the first person we have to start respecting is ourselves. Our values change. As we age, our thoughts go through some changes. The good news is, like Paul, our beliefs change also. Now change can go either way, good or bad. But with concepts like tolerance and love we are able to be civil and loving with people, even those who differ from us. When this happens people will marvel that you, like Paul, are no longer the person you used to be. Thanks be to God.
Today we remember Thomas Aquinas; Priest, Friar, and Theologian (January 28, 1274) and his information may be found at: Thomas Aquinas
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 God of all power and might, help us to see both in ourselves and others what You are doing in our midst. Be it our parents, pastors, professions, or presidents, let us see the changes in ourselves and others, or what was always there, but overlooked. For You are always guiding us toward love for one another, You who live and love forever and ever, Amen.
onewhoponders 