Tag: wisdom

(Blogging from the  West Coast, Pacific time until Tuesday, 17 November)

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 27: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 23 and 27; Evening, Psalms 85 and 86;
Joel 2:21to27; James 1:1to15; Luke 15:1to2 and 11to32.

“If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5)

These are powerful words of truth from James.  We are all lacking wisdom at some level.  We must realize this and then ask God for more wisdom. But let us have this basic and primary understanding, God will know the reason for our wanting more understanding. And such desires should be in order that we might love God more and more; and love our neighbors more and more. Desire for knowledge to only benefit ourselves and to our personal advantage among our neighbors, is frowned on by God.

Let us remember Solomon who asked God for wisdom, for understanding, not so much for himself, but so that he could be a better leader for God’s people. Solomon prayed to God, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1^st Kings 3:9).  Solomon, living a thousand years before James, also knew that God is the source of understanding of all that is good. And God liked the reasons for which Solomon was asking for understanding.  It is written, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind” (1Kings 3: 10 to 12).

My primary method of prayer is meditation.  It is in meditation that I ponder things.  I do this by sitting quietly in a room alone.  I follow the guidance of Blaise Pascal who said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” It is in such a way that I follow Solomon’s example and the advice of James.  I invite you who are reading this blog to do the same.  Just find some time to sit quietly and be open to God, God who so much wants to be with you and talk to you.  James says, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.”

Today we remember Charles Simeon, Teacher and promotor of Missionary Work (November 12, 1836) and his information may be found at: Charles Simeon.

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 Human Family, (BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 16: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:1-24; Evening,  Psalms 12, 13 and 14;
1^st  Kings 3:1 to 15; Acts 27:9 to 26; Mark 14:1 to 11:

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right;” (1^st Kings 3:10 and 11)

Solomon wanted God to equip him to be able to live into the responsibility he was born into.  He did not ask for self-serving gifts that would make him stand out among others solely for the purpose of being recognized by others as special. He wanted to be able to do God’s work in, and for, his community.

This is the way God still works.  Any gift that we have is not for us alone. It is given to us to be used for the enhanced quality of life for the community in which we live.  It doesn’t matter what kind of gift we are given.  From singing to sports to healing to serving or just plain listening; we are given these gifts for the benefit of others. 

Every human being has the capacity to receive and use God’s gifts among us.  This is why is so tragic when someone dies too early. What gifts from God, perhaps not yet made manifest, did they take to the grave with them?  Every person is a treasure. Every person is an empty cup waiting to be filled with whatever the community needs.  God sees what we need and then blesses various people with what we need. This is God’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Like Solomon, we must first love our community and want to see it flourish. It is then we go to God asking for whatever is needed that will enable us to be of service to others.  We should not assume to already know what our community needs. But rather, look to God who knows far better than we do what is needed. Emptying our cup in this way invites God to fill us with what is needed. And, like Solomon, God often blesses us with even more for ourselves, but we shouldn’t ask for God’s gifts for selfish reasons. We ask out of an abundance of love for our neighbors.

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 God, Creator of all life, as we, your servants are in the midst of the people where You have caused us to be, a community of people so diverse and multicultural that they are often hard to understand. Give us your servants, therefore, what we need to love and serve them, and the mind and heart to serve your people, able to discern between good and evil; for how can we serve this Your people without Your gifts and blessings? Give us this through the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen