Keep Watch: Day 2

Cheesy Christian art? Sure! Why not? 

Psalm of Response: Psalm 122 

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

NT Reading: Romans 13:11-14

"11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Chrysostom

"Paul is not trying to frighten his hearers but to encourage them, so as to detach them from their love of things of this world. It was not unlikely that at the beginning of their endeavors they would be more dedicated and slacken off as time went on. But Paul wants them to do the opposite- not to slacken as time goes on but to become even more dedicated. For the nearer the King is, the more they ought to be ready to receive him." Homilies on Romans 23.  

For Further Thought and Reflection:

1. In what way do you love the things of this world, or the deeds of darkness, more than you love Christ, our light? 

2. Finding peace with God, peace with others and peace with yourself involves putting on the armor of light. How might you do that?  

3. If you do not have peace with God, others or yourself this day, confess, apologize, make amends.  Ask the Holy Spirit for grace to follow Him.