The Daily Office for April 30, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 41
Exodus 32:1-20
Colossians 3:18-4:18
Matthew 5:1-10
Reading (Exodus 32:1-20)
Reflection
You know the type. Very, very nice. As friendly as they can be. In fact, a little too nice and friendly. You can’t help but feel they have an ulterior motive. They pretend to show concern. They may even promise to pray for you about something. But as soon as they leave you, you’re certain they have totally forgotten all about you.
It’s hard to feel close to people like that because they’re not real. The things they do and say don’t have much power when their words don’t match their actions. To love someone sincerely takes concentration and effort. It demands time, money and energy. It means helping without ulterior motives. Giving without expecting anything back. Serving just because God wants us to. Does that sound too hard? It’s not, if you trust God to give you the wisdom and guidance you need to do it.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.