Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48:
Genesis 15:1-11 and17-21; Hebrews 9:1 to14; John 5:1 to 18:
“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’” (John 5: 5 and 6)
Our human minds are so adaptable. This adaptability is also adjustable. We can train our minds, our muscle memory, and even our tongues to the foods we like to taste, to like and appreciate different foods over time. The downside is, however, that we can allow our circumstances to dictate our comfort. The man at the Sheep-Gate pool fell into this situation. He was comfortable in his crippled state of being and even made-up excuses that supported his lack of willingness to even try to do better. Jesus asks him (and us), “Do you want to be made well?”
We must want to be made well. It means never giving up and never creating excuses that give us false reasons for why we can’t do better. Today many of us hide behind limited physical ability that we never try to improve. I have seen some young persons with missing limbs participate in competitive sports like swimming and basketball and baseball, and they thrive!
Some of us try to use race as the reason we aren’t good enough or accepted in certain associations. If this kind of reason holds us back then we should start a new and more inclusive organization that better aligns with the will of God for who God made us to be.
Speaking a different language, being born in another country, missing limbs, dark skin or same sex love notwithstanding, we must stand up and walk. Sometimes that walk also means cutting a new trail. Thank You Lord Jesus.
Today we remember John Chrysostom, Bishop of Antioch and of Constantinople, Preacher, Theologian, Liturgist; and his information may be found at: John Chrysostom.
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:
O God Almighty, help us we pray to be uncomfortable with being comfortable in our self-imposed limitations. Enkindle in us the desire to want to be made well and then to fulfill Your plans for us joyfully through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 