Living Faithfully

Monday, April 16, 2007 -- Week of 2 Easter

"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. 958)
Psalms 1, 2, 3, (morning) 4, 7 (evening)
Daniel 1:1-21
1 John 1:1-10
John 17:1-11

As we enter the weeks of Easter, there is an encouraging correspondence in the lectionary readings. We will read the opening stories of Daniel 1-6 which give us six tales of Daniel and his friends set in the days of Israel's exile. We will see the wise man Daniel who lives faithfully, observing the ancient traditions, in the difficulties of the Babylonian exile. The stories invite recommitment to God's ways and our deepest identity as God's servants, especially in the presence of struggle. And we will read the 3 epistles of John, initially alongside the Great Declaratory Prayer of John's gospel, and then in companionship with Luke.

John's gospel stresses the presence of God in Jesus. 1 John stresses the reality and significance of the humanity of Jesus. We are invited to walk in the light through an obedience manifested as love.

In the first story from Daniel, we find him with his companions serving among the counselors and wise men of the king's court. Will they compromise their identity and eat the non-kosher royal rations of food and wine? A sympathetic palace master (literally "chief eunuch") arranges a test proposed by Daniel, and the young men eat only vegetables and water for ten days. "At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating royal rations." The theme is introduced: God will uphold those who are faithful.

The Great 50 Days of Easter is a good season for reestablishing healthy habits of prayer and action. We have just experienced the austerities of Lent. We have walked the way of the cross during Holy Week. And we have greeted the light of the resurrection with joyful Alleluias. The earth around us awakens from its winter slumber with color and new life. All creation seems newly energized and grateful.

With energized and grateful hearts we can recommit ourselves to the stewardship of our bodies with faithful diet and exercise.

We can recommit ourselves to our baptismal promises:
* to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers
* to persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repentance and return to the Lord
* to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ
* to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourself
* to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being

Our collect for this week (2 Easter) seems to voice this theme nicely:
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant ofreconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

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