The Daily Office for April 19, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 18:1-20
Exodus 16:10-22
1 Peter 2:11-25
John 15:12-27
Reading (Psalm 18:1-20)
Reflection
Have you ever been offered something of value by a poor person? Even if you haven’t, you can probably imagine your response. If you’re like most people, you would resist taking it. How, you might say to yourself, can I take what this person surely can’t afford?
Some of the best hospitality you’ll find anywhere in the world is in the poorest countries. Here warm and gracious families may not be able to serve the finest foods, but they will typically offer a guest all that they have. And, guess what? You’ll find the meal far better than the richest foods served in a household that shares only what it can easily do without. This is because you know immediately they are giving with their hearts; which is all God ever asks of us.
Collect for the Day
Merciful God, who raised up your servant Alphege to be a pastor of your people and gave him grace to suffer for justice and true religion: grant that we who celebrate his martyrdom may know the power of the risen Christ in our hearts and share his peace in lives offered to your service; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.