The Daily Office for February 14, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 97
Genesis 31:1-24
1 John 2:1-11
John 9:18-41
Reading (Psalm 97)
Reflection
That the Lord reigns over all the earth is the key to understanding this psalm. Everything in it relates to this one truth. While some believe that the psalmist is referring to the first advent of Christ most scholars hold that it reflets His Second Coming when He'll establish His kingdom of one thousand years. Only then will the prayer be true: " . . . let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!" While other reigns have brought bloodshed and tears, the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ upon this earth will be one of absolute righteousness.
The psalm closes by stating that God, who is light, has shown His grace to those who would live righteously and has caused rejoicing in their hearts. What then must our response be? "Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!" It's impossible to doing anything less.
Collect for the Day
Lord of all, who gave to your servants Cyril and Methodius the gift of tongues to proclaim the gospel to the Slavs: make your whole Church one as you are one that all Christians may honour one another, and east and west acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and you, the God and Father of all; 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.