Greater Things

Monday, April 1, 2013 -- Monday in Easter Week

[Go to http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html for an online version of the Daily Office including today's scripture readings.]

Today's Readings for the Daily Office
     (Book of Common Prayer, p. 958)
Psalms       93, 98 (morning)        66 (evening)
Jonah 2:1-9
Acts 2:14, 22-32
John 14:1-14

 "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father."  (John 14:12)

How these words have come true.  Through millions of compassionate disciples, wonderful good works have been accomplished in the name of Jesus.  All of the wonderful acts of healing, feeding, restoring, and uniting have happened in the amplified quantities through the church and its institutions and through individual Christians living out their ministries.

Jesus fed the multitudes; Christian ministries have brought food to millions.  Jesus was best known as a healer; Christian hospitals and doctors have brought healing ministries around the world.  Jesus touched lepers; leprosy and so many other dread diseases have been overcome and limited;  Christians are taking leading roles in addressing both the stigma and the care for persons living with AIDS.  Jesus practiced a radical hospitality, especially toward outsiders, and offered gracious compassion to the poor; compassionate ministries and kind actions by his followers abound throughout the world.  Jesus taught using illustrations from nature, showing a caring alertness toward plants, weather, birds and fish; Christian environmentalists are at the forefront of advocacy for our planet.  Jesus taught people about a loving, gracious God whose forgiveness and compassion is without bound; the church proclaims the goodness of God, although our history is riddled with moments when we have been unable to embrace a God who is as loving as the One whom Jesus pictures.  Jesus raised the dead to life; I have seen many who have found new life through Jesus and the ministries in his name, and I have seen a few who were physically dead rise and live again through medicine and mysteries beyond medicine.

Life in the resurrection is a life that seeks to imitate Jesus.  Whenever that happens, his Spirit is present to accomplish the same reconciliation and healing that happened during Jesus' earthly ministry.  "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."  When we act in a manner that is consistent with Jesus' Spirit, the same wonders happen.  

Lowell
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Audio podcast:  Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week.  Go to: http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id244.html

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 http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html

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

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