Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 37:1-18; Evening, Psalm 37:19-42
Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Titus 1:1-16; John 1:29-34:
“It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7: 7 and 8)
I believe the Lord God loves all people, believers and non-believers alike. However, I think there was something special about the early Israelite people. I believe that it was in Egyptian captivity that they learned to make bread, and this tradition stayed with them even after they were freed, albeit it was “unleavened” bread due to time constraints. Before Egypt they were wandering herdsmen with no regular fields of wheat or ovens in which to bake. I also believe that the early Hebrew people learned to write their own history while captive in Babylon, because we learn later that it was there that they began writing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. So why did God favor the Israelites?
I truly believe God called them to spread the faith of One God to all people and to support this Truth with bread and pen. All humanity can benefit from this rich history. The early Israelites seemed to learn best when in bondage. This captivity also translates into some of the Monastic traditions of many of our Christian Saints, even though their seclusion was self-made.
We, today, can borrow from this God-focused tradition by setting aside some quiet time for prayer and study, especially during our Holy Season of Lent. Let us eat our bread and record our prayerful experiences during Lent and then share with those who do not yet know about how wonderful and loving God is.
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: For Quiet Confidence (BCP p.832)
O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 