The Daily Office for April 21, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 20
Exodus 17:1-16
1 Peter 4:7-19
John 16:16-33
Reading (1_Peter 4:7-19)
Reflection
God places a much higher value on people than we do. For reasons that are beyond our comprehension, we are incredibly valuable in His eyes. Every person with whom we come in contact is precious to God.
Isn’t that great news. After all, who wouldn’t want to be valuable to God? On the other hand, it places a great deal of responsibility on us to treat others with care and compassion. When we mistreat God’s “valuables” – for instance, the poor and needy – in a sense, we are disrespecting Him. By thinking of others in this way it helps “realign” our attitudes and we begin to see what real really matters through God’s eyes.
Collect for the Day
Eternal God,who gave great gifts to your servant Anselm as a pastor and teacher: grant that we, like him, may desire you with our whole heart and, so desiring, may seek you and, seeking, may find you; 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.