Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalms 134 and 135;
Daniel 3:1 to 18; 1st John 3:1 to 10; Luke 3:15 to 22:
“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These pay no heed to you, O king. They do not serve your gods and they do not worship the golden statue that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:12)
So, “Certain Chaldeans” went to King Nebuchadnezzar to complain about “Certain Jews.” My pondering question is, how would these Certain Chaldeans even know about the Certain Jews, if in fact they were observing the order of Nebuchadnezzar themselves? I agree with the Jews of Daniel’s day. They, and we of today, should eat healthy and worship the Lord our God, not made with hands, and eternal in the heavens. But most of all, we must not take our eyes off of God to look at others. When we do, we tend to look upon them with contempt and not see them as God sees them. But rather, let us look at others “through” God and see others with love always.
There are examples of this glare of contempt in the New Testament as well. Often we can read where people will take their eyes off of Jesus to look at Mary or a sibling, or a friend, and Jesus has to set them right. We must look at all others through, not around, God. When we view people through the lens of God we look upon them with love as God does. I know that sometimes we don’t want to love them. That too is something we need to take to God. How is it that God can love these people whom we, you and I, can clearly see as unrighteous?
The Chaldeans did not want to love the Jews. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego loved the Lord their God, through whom they even learned to love the Chaldeans, bur not their statue made with hands. We have a God who is real – a God who loves all people and through whom we too are able to love all, if we choose. We should perhaps ponder whether or not we even want to love all people. And then, take that decision to God for correction or assistance.
Today we remember Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Theologian and Doctor (May 2, 373) and his information may be found at: Athanasius.
“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: (For the Human Family BCP p. 815)
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 