Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 12: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36;
2nd Samuel 3:6 to 21; Acts 16:6 to 15; Mark 6:30 to 46:
“On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there:” (Acts 16:13).
Paul was in Philippi but apparently there was no synagogue. So Paul went outside the gate by the river. I ponder about whether or not this was the normal custom that an Israelite, or Christian, or any traveling worshiper looking for his or her faith community might do if there was no designated place for prayer.
I feel like there is something wonderful about being outside in nature that provides a closeness to God. I especially connect with the Holy at the beach or in the mountains. But I have also felt a closeness to God in open plains as well. God is everywhere. Buildings built especially for the purpose of drawing us into the spiritual sense sometimes fail. We perhaps, maybe just need to get outside more often and save buildings for rainy days. Our Lord Jesus performed most of his healing and teaching outside. Every part of this earth is sacred and holds a spiritual conduit to God.
Lydia is a person to ponder. While she obviously has a spacious home, large enough to house Paul and his companions, she herself was outside for worship. She was a business woman and a prominent member of her community. But it seems that going down by the water to pray is as ancient a human calling as is keeping a fire going. It sometimes can’t be explained, it just is.
Lastly, there is something else in the verse that I want to explore, or ponder about. When we read words like “When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us:” (Acts 16: 15)
I wonder who the “us” were that the writer is talking about? Many believe that it was Luke who wrote the Gospel named after him as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Perhaps Luke is a hidden tag-a-long on Paul’s journeys. He records everything but does not mention himself. For me, this is another lesson in the humility of invisibility. I am learning that I don’t need to be the center of things and certainly should not bring attention to myself for some kind of human credit. The only credit we should care about is how God sees the love in our hearts.
Today we remember Mary and Martha of Bethany, (July 29) and the First Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in the Episcopal Church (July 29, 1974) and their information may be found at: Mary & Martha of Bethany; and First Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in The; respectively.
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: (BCP p. 825)
O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 