Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 3, Year 2:
Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39:
Proverbs 15:16 to 33; 1st Timothy 1:18 to 2:8; Matthew 12:33 to 42:
“The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.” (Matthew 12:35)
This Matthew reading for today has two interesting observations. First, it seems to be more about things we have said rather than the deeds we have done. I would like to think that action speaks louder than words. But in either, we will be held accountable. Which leads to the second observation, those who have gone before us are the ones who might judge and accept, or condemn us.
In His response to the scribes Jesus speaks of the people of Nineveh listening to Jonah; and then Candice, or “The queen of the South,” listening to the words of Solomon. In each case Jesus says that those who repented, or learned from listening to the goodness of prophetic wisdom, will not only be saved, but will sit in judgment on us (this generation).
I imagined walking around in my after-life and seeing people from the Bible coming together to sit in judgment on me. There would be Abraham and his son and grandson, along with Sarah, Rebecca and Leah and Rachael. And there would be Elijah, there would also be the apostles; and of course, Jesus himself sitting as Chief Judge. What would this panel have to say about how well I listened, and then behaved? You and I still have time to have only a good treasure inside us from which to bring good gifts.
Today we remember Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop and Missionary (May 26, 605) and his information may be found at: Augustine of Canterbury
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:
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to listen with the ears of our hearts in order that we may think, say, and do, those things that are pleasing in your sight and brings forth only good gifts. In your most holy Name, we pray. Amen.
onewhoponders 