A Vision for Life
Friday, February 18, 2011 -- Week of 6 Epiphany, Year One
Martin Luther, Theologian, 1546
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 948)
Psalms 102 (morning) 107:1-32 (evening)
Isaiah 65:17-25
1 Timothy 5:17-22(23-25)
Mark 12:28-34
To read this passage from Isaiah and then close with the reading from Mark is simply thrilling and comprehensive.
Isaiah offers a cosmological vision of our hope for creation. The new heavens and new earth are God's creation fulfilled. The city is a joy and the people God's delight. No more weeping; no more distress. All live out their full measure of years and enjoy the productivity of their work. Peace reigns. Isaiah gives us a vision to inspire our longing and our effort. He describes what our corporate life is all about.
Jesus give us a personal vision for the conduct of a virtuous and fulfilling life. It is all about reverence and love. First, we revere and love God "with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." Second, we revere and love humanity, epecially the nearest humanity -- our neighbor and ourselves. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." He finishes this summary saying, "There is no other commandment greater than these."
When we remember Jesus' story about the Good Samaritan as his answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?", the vision comes full circle. My neighbor is anyone, especially anyone in need.
It is a comprehensive vision: a fulfilled creation -- joyful, productive and peaceful; a life grounded in reverent love of God, neighbor and self.
It is enough.
Martin Luther, Theologian, 1546
To read about our daily commemorations, go to our Holy Women, Holy Men blog:
http://liturgyandmusic.wordpress.com/category/holy-women-holy-men/
Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 948)
Psalms 102 (morning) 107:1-32 (evening)
Isaiah 65:17-25
1 Timothy 5:17-22(23-25)
Mark 12:28-34
To read this passage from Isaiah and then close with the reading from Mark is simply thrilling and comprehensive.
Isaiah offers a cosmological vision of our hope for creation. The new heavens and new earth are God's creation fulfilled. The city is a joy and the people God's delight. No more weeping; no more distress. All live out their full measure of years and enjoy the productivity of their work. Peace reigns. Isaiah gives us a vision to inspire our longing and our effort. He describes what our corporate life is all about.
Jesus give us a personal vision for the conduct of a virtuous and fulfilling life. It is all about reverence and love. First, we revere and love God "with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." Second, we revere and love humanity, epecially the nearest humanity -- our neighbor and ourselves. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." He finishes this summary saying, "There is no other commandment greater than these."
When we remember Jesus' story about the Good Samaritan as his answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?", the vision comes full circle. My neighbor is anyone, especially anyone in need.
It is a comprehensive vision: a fulfilled creation -- joyful, productive and peaceful; a life grounded in reverent love of God, neighbor and self.
It is enough.
Lowell
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| Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: -- Morning Reflection Podcasts About Morning Reflections "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 missionstclare.com -- Click for online Daily Office 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 -- Click for Divine Hours Discussion Blog: To comment on today's reflection or readings, go to http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com, or click here for Lowell's blog find today's reading, click "comment" at the bottom of the reading, and post your thoughts. |
| 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. Lowell Grisham, Rector St. Paul's Episcopal Church Fayetteville, Arkansas |
posted by Lowell @ 7:07 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Amen.
Peace, Janet
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