Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 5th Week of Epiphany: Year 2
Morning, Psalm 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136:
Genesis 29:1 to 20; Romans 14:1 to 23; John 8:47 to 59:
“The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” (Romans 14:22)
Some of us believe in God based on what our faith leaders have taught us. Some of us believe in God based on our own interpretation of our reading the Bible, or other ancient writings. And, some believe in God based on both, that is, our faith leaders have instructed us in how we should understand or interpret what our ancient writings mean.
But there are some of us who believe in God based on our God-given reflective pondering and God’s revelation to us. This latter group, of which I am proud to be a member, also reads our Holy Words but are guided by God in our interpretation of them. In my walk and sitting with God, I stand almost alone in my convictions that there is no such thing as race, and that God uses both male and female humans in God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. These are only two that I feel called to share at this time.
While Paul used dietary habits to explain his theological conviction, his words work for me as I continue to sit with God, day by day. I am always learning and evolving in what I believe and then trying to live it accordingly. I think we should take into consideration our holy writings and sound teachings from well informed teachers. But we have a personal responsibility to sit with God in prayer and revelation regularly, while forming our own personal (albeit evolving) conviction. Paul says to us, “The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.” This evening concludes our Sabbath time from God (yet another conviction of mine). Our Lord Jesus never changed that. Sit quietly today and ponder about what God is saying to you.
Today we remember Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs (February 14, 869) and his information may be found at: Cyril & Methodius
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: Psalm 139 verses 1 through 16, and 22 and 23: (BCP p. 794)
“Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well. My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! how great is the sum of them!” “Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting.” Amen.
onewhoponders 