Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 28: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
1st Maccabees 4:36 to 59; Revelation 22:6 to 13; Matthew 18:10 to 20:
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
In this talk Jesus has asks us to passionately confront any person whom we feel has wronged us, or anyone we have wronged. If the one-on-one doesn’t work, bring in two or three more for fairness sake. If that doesn’t work, consult the parish family, perhaps the pastor or priest. Jesus is setting up a way to bring us back together as in the one sheep that was lost in the lead story, verse 12.
We are created social beings (like sheep). We need each other. When we believers are together, God is in the midst of us. God may have finished the heavens and the earth, but you and I are still a work in progress. It is not so much that we were created, but rather, we are being created. When any two of us are together in the faith, our Lord Jesus accompanies us and we become three. We become a trinity in the Lord. We just need to become more aware of God’s divine presence with us. It is in this way that we are blessed, and brought back, and belong. I know I am. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Today we remember Mechthilde of Hackeborn and ‘Gertrude the Great, Mystics and theologians (1298 and 1302 respectively) and their information may be found at: Mechtilde of Hackeborn & Gertrude the Great. We also remember William Byrd, John Merbeck and Thomas Tallis; Musicians, 1632, 1585, and 1585; and their information may be found at William Byrd, John Merbecke & Thomas Tallis respectively.
“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: In Times of Conflict (BCP p. 824)
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 