Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 25: Year 2
Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
Ecclesiasticus 34:1to 8 and 18to22; Revelation 13:1to10; Luke 12:13-31:
“Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” (Luke 12: 18 and 19)
This Gospel of Luke is not necessarily written against the rich. Often the rich in this Gospel contribute to the poor. But Luke’s Gospel does get to the heart and soul of where those with wealth may do their worst works.
In this reading for today the rich landowner never considers those less fortunate than himself; that he might follow the biblical mandate to not glean your field completely, thus leaving something for the needy. He just figures out a way to keep more for himself. He even talks to his soul, his direct connection to God. Our souls just want us to gravitate towards the kingdom of God.
Jesus tells him (and us), “Do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well, (Luke 12: 29 to 31). This reminds me of the hymn, “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” It is a beautiful hymn from our “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Hymnal.
Jesus informs us that our Heavenly Father knows we need food and provisions in order to live healthy lives. While we need these things they should not become idols that replace God in our lives. As citizens of heaven, temporarily visiting earth, we should never forget whose we are.
Today we remember John Wyclif, Translator and Controversialist, October 30, 1384. and his information may be found at: John Wyclif.
“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: For the Right Use of God’s Gifts (BCP p. 827)
Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
