Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 119:97-120; Evening, Psalms 81 and 82;
Isaiah 59:15b-21; 2nd Timothy 1:15-2:13; Mark 10:1-16:
“No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” (2nd Timothy 2:4 to 7)
This passage from 2nd Timothy resonates with me so deeply. I am a Marine of 30 years active service when I retired. From the Marines I learned the benefit of physical fitness. And, while I’m no farmer, most of my employments have had a great deal to do with manual labor, accept of course being an Episcopal priest which followed my time in the military.
The big take-away for me is the last verse, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things;” (2nd Timothy 7). I think over what Paul is saying and I believe that if we live moral and faithful lives, God will “recycle” us. Perhaps there are not enough moral and faithful people in the world. Therefore, God has to make use of those who live the right way. Paul was a Pharisee and a tent maker who later became an apostle of Christ. Amos says he was a dresser of trees and a shepherd but also was called to take the word of God to prophesy to Israel (Amos 7: 14 and 15); And Jesus, a carpenter, recycled fishermen and a tax collector into apostles.
We should never think God is done with us because we have had one or two vocations. There is always the Lord’s work to be done and only the moral and faithful are called to do it.
Today we remember Charles Freer Andrews, Priest and Friend of the Poor, and his information may be found at: Charles Freer Andrews
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:
Almighty and Ever-Loving God, Use us we pray to do all such actions as are pleasing in Your sight. And sustain us dear Lord to continually and repeatedly engage in all activities necessary, in order that we will see Your will being done on earth as it is in heaven; Amen.
onewhoponders 