lection reflection (10 Dec 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
I've elected to focus on only the Epistle lesson today, as I find myself having conversations on this exact subject increasingly more often than in the past. For whatever reason, when we think or hope the end is near, it is easy to essentially just give up and forgo the calling we've received in Christ to be salt and light. I . . .
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lection reflection (6 Dec 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Isaiah 2.5-22
In this passage, the Prophet rebukes Israel not merely for her faithlessness and idolatry but for her greed, avarice, and selfishness. We are used to the Prophets blasting Israel for the former two, but unless we pay attention (especially to some of the minor prophets like Amos) we miss or gloss over God's . . .
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lection reflection (5 Dec 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Isaiah 2.1-4
The early church was unanimous in its interpretation of this prophecy as a reference to Christ and the church. Theodoret, Cyril, Augustine, Gregory the Great, Eusebius, Jerome, and others all read these words from Isaiah and very clearly saw Jesus and his bride. Eusebius is representative of the Fathers and wrote this . . .
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lection reflection (4 Dec 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Isaiah 1.21-31
Here we read another passage foretelling and threatening judgment against faithless and unrighteous Israel. But we must not read it as only a warning against sin--it is also a promise of forgiveness and restoration for the penitent and humble sinner. Buried in the middle of the passage is the Lord's purpose, in it . . .
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lection reflection (3 Dec 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Isaiah 1.10-20
This passage is one of my favorite, and also one of the most terrifying, passages in all of Isaiah. It is a favorite of mine because it calls us back to the simple good works that ought to be the natural overflow of every Christian's life: "Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do . . .
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new (church year), new bible reading habits
This Sunday marks the first Sunday in Advent and the start of the new church year! While many people are already thinking about what resolutions they want to make (and subsequently break) at the beginning of 2019 in just over a month, let me encourage the start of the church year (i.e. this Sunday, 2 December) to be the time when you . . .
Posted in: reflectionstheology
lection reflection (30 Nov 2018)
reading the bible daily with the church
Today is the feast day of St. Andrew, so we're taking a break from our regular readings. Andrew was one of Jesus' first disciples and one of those who responded to the call of John the Baptist ("Behold, the lamb of God!") by following Jesus. According to Catholic Online:
Per Christian tradition, Andrew went on . . .
Posted in: reflections
