Daily office Readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
Isaiah 61:1-9; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; Mark 10:32-45:
“But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10: 43).
At this point Jesus is talking to the twelve. This started because John and James, brothers, asked for special places with Jesus in his future glory. When the ten found out about it they were furious. So Jesus instructs them about how they should approach human relationships.
For me, this instruction is still reward based. Serve now in order to be honored later. With this lesson, the whole reason for serving now is only for some future place of honor, perhaps to be served for all eternity. Can we not learn to just enjoy helping others, serving others, and let such service be the reward itself, as we are doing it now? Like the old Christmas song, can we just “be good for goodness sake”? Perhaps for me, the good feeling of helping people now is practice for my next life in the abode above where I will be blessed to continue a life of bliss serving and helping others forever. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Today we remember (two other brothers) Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs (February 14, 869), and their information may be found at: Cyril & Methodius
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
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: (service) For the Poor and the Neglected (BCP p. 826)
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 