Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 7th Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 140, 142; Evening, Psalms 141, 143:1-11(12) ;
Ruth 3:1-18; 2nd Corinthians 4:1-12; Matthew 5:38-48:
“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2nd Corinthians 4:6)
In Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth he speaks of “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this world is truly a small “g” god. This is a god of toxic human relations without God (big “G”) involved. This is a god of greed, of power, of lust, of bigotry and all kinds of isms. It is a god of darkness.
But we have a loving God who says, “Let Light shine out of darkness.” You and I are told to take off the blinders and see. Believing in Jesus, we have in our hearts the light of knowledge of the glory of God (big “G”). We are the light that God wants to shine in this present day world with full understanding that this world is dark. People are walking around often in blind rage only because they can’t see a better way. You be that better way. Be that light to the nations as spoke of from Simeon in Luke 2:31 – 34. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
This light of Christ is still so very relevant today, maybe even more relevant than it was two thousand years ago. The darkness of isms (racism, sexism, ageism, nationalism, all these isms are blinding us to what God wants for us. But God has planted us here among the blind to be that light to the nations, all nations, all races, all sexes and genders and walks of life so that the whole world might see and be saved. God loves and wants us all, every one, no exceptions. Be that Light no matter how dark it seems to be where you are, because no matter where you are, God is with you.
Today we remember Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, Educator (1964); and her information may be found at: Anna Julia Hayward Cooper
“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 to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: A Collect for the Renewal of Life (BCP p.99)
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 