Summary & Fulfillment

Friday, March 2, 2007 -- Week of 1 Lent (Chad of Lichfield)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Discussion Blog: To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts.

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 952)
Psalms 40, 54 (morning) // 51 (evening)
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Hebrews 4:11-16
John 3:22-36

In Deuteronomy today we hear a summary of the Jewish faith. "So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?"

The Lord requires that we be reverent and obedient toward God, to love God, "to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and keep the commandments..." The writer goes on to describe a circle of mutual love that begins with God. God "set his heart in love on your ancestors." Therefore "circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer... You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." God loved us first. Therefore, love God and be loving, especially to the stranger. That is the summary of the Jewish faith.

Our readings in the Christian New Testament describe Jesus in similar terms as one who has fulfilled the expectations of the Hebrew faith. In Hebrews Jesus is described as our high priest "who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." Jesus has been reverent and obedient toward God, and has kept God's commandments successfully. Because he knows our condition, he can be of divine help to us.

John likes to describe Jesus as "the one who comes from above." John describes Jesus's relationship with God as a circle of mutual love. "The Father loves the Son." The Son "whom God has sent speaks the words of God." And the Spirit is given without measure. The way the passage is translated, I can't tell whether the Spirit comes from the Father or from the Son or from their relationship. But out of this divine dance of love comes eternal life, says John.

One last observation. Although we don't see it in today's reading, we know from the rest of the Gospel that Jesus fulfilled the ancient commandment to love the stranger. His practice of radical table fellowship, and his miracles of healing and feeding extended generously beyond his circle of disciples and beyond the people of Israel. In his life we see the fulfillment of God's hope for every human life.

The spirit of this great tradition is nicely gathered in the summary of the law: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.