Week 51: Using Our Talents
Theme: We plead with God for mercy on our situations, submitting to Him and looking to Him for help (Psalm 123). We use our gifts and talents wisely (Matt 25:14-30) until his anticipated return (1 Thess 5:1-11) and judgment (Zeph 1:7, 12-18).
Opening Prayer: Proper 28
"Oh Christ, who knows our sorrows: comfort our brethren who are lonely and heavy with griefs. Give courage to those who are assailed by vehement temptations; give strength to them who have no might, and when they are tried, grant them victory. Remember the sick and afflicted, especially such as are dear to us whom we name in our hearts...and if so it seems good to you, give health again, in body and soul, for your tender mercies' sake. Amen." Augustine.
OT Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
"7Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.
Opening Prayer: Proper 28
"Oh Christ, who knows our sorrows: comfort our brethren who are lonely and heavy with griefs. Give courage to those who are assailed by vehement temptations; give strength to them who have no might, and when they are tried, grant them victory. Remember the sick and afflicted, especially such as are dear to us whom we name in our hearts...and if so it seems good to you, give health again, in body and soul, for your tender mercies' sake. Amen." Augustine.
OT Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
"7Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’
13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
Though they build houses,
they will not live in them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink the wine.”
14 The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.
15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness—
16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.
17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”
In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth."
Reflections from Church Fathers: Money and Things to be Shunned, Cyprian
"The lust of possessions and money are not to be sought for. In Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, 'He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver.' Also in Proverbs: 'He who holds back the corn is cursed among people, but blessing on the head of him that communicates it.' Also in Isaiah: 'Woe to them who join house to house, and lay field to field, that they may take away something from their neighbor. Will you dwell alone upon the earth?' Also, in Zephaniah: 'They shall build houses, and shall not dwell in them; and they shall appoint vineyards, and shall not drink the wine of them, because the Day of the Lord is near.' Also in the Gospel according to Luke: 'For what does it profit a man to make a gain of the whole world, but that he should lose himself?'" To Quirinius, Testimonies Against the Jews 12.3.61
For Reflection and Prayer:
What stood out to you from the bible passage or the reflection? Did you feel convicted about anything? If so, confess that to our Father, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and pray for the grace and power from the Holy Spirit to live as God desires.
No comments:
Post a Comment