Ordinary Time: Thursday, January 17, 2008

We had a slight mix up, I inadvertently reflected upon today's passages yesterday, so today, we get yesterday's!

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 4: 1-16

What did Cain do wrong?  The text doesn't say, but it may give a hint.  Notice it says that Able brought the firstlings, the best meat of the animals.  It simply says that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground.  Not the first fruits of the ground.  So, it is possible that perhaps what Cain gave God was not his best, but what was left over?  

How many of us give God not our best, but what is left over?  What is left over of our time?  Our resources?  Our heart?  Let us be careful to follow in the steps of Able and give God the first of everything, for in doing that we give God that which He is worthy of.  

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 2: 11-18

This passage reminds us of one of the great truths of our faith.  Jesus was tested as we are, suffered as we do, and understands our plight. Our Lord knows all that we go through, all that we experience, all that we deal with. So, when we cry out in the midst of life, He understand.  Our cries fall upon ears that are sympathetic, that can truly understand what we are going through. 

So, today, in whatever it is you go through, you can rest knowing that God understands.  He is above us, but He humbled Himself to walk among us.  He is at once Creator of all that is, and at the same time, as close our next heart beat.  Today, know that He delights in you longs to know you in a deeper more personal way.  

Gospel Lesson

John 1: 29-42

One of the things we see all throughout the Gospels is that when some meets Jesus or has an experience with Him, they can't wait to tell someone about it. We see this is the calling of the disciples, we see it in the miracles He performed.  We see it all throughout the life of Jesus.

Today, in our lives, can we wait to tell someone about His grace in our lives?  Are we as excited about what He is doing in our lives as they were?  They rejoiced in His amazing grace in their lives. Do we?  

Sometimes life has a way of weighing us down, and we can forget all that we have to be thankful for. Today, may we rejoice in all that God has done, and may we tell others about it!