Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 26: Year 1
Morning, Psalms75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
Ezra 9:1 and15; Revelation 17:1 and 14; Matthew 14:22 to 36:
“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,” (Matthew 14:22 and 23).
Among the many attributes of Jesus, he was a man of prayer. The two things that Jesus did often, that we regular people can, and should do as well is forgive others and ourselves, and to pray.
We can’t give people their sight back, or make the lame walk, or raise the dead back to life, or even walk on the water as Jesus did in our reading for today. But we should ponder about forgiving others and ourselves for blunders done or things said or should have been said when it would have helped.
Prayer too is what Jesus often did as recorded throughout the Gospel in all four versions. I particularly like the habit of Jesus to find a place alone to pray. This is how I ponder, even now as I am writing this blog, I pray that God gives me the words that will help you. And who knows, maybe I might even find help for myself in the process.
Today we remember Ammonnius, Hermit, c. 403 and his information may be found at: Ammonius
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: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 