The Daily Office for July 19, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 37
Joshua 3:14-4:7
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 26:1-16
Reading (Romans 12:1-8)
Reflection
You’re standing in line, waiting for tickets for the game of the year. You’ve been at the stadium since 5 a.m., hoping for some choice seats. Then you see them. A group walks past you and starts up a conversation with some friends ahead of you in line. They talk and talk, and gradually work themselves into the line, as if they had been there all along. Now you’re angry. What should you do? You start scanning the faces of the line ahead of you, seeing if you can find a new “friend” to talk to. After all, we have to stand up for ourselves, don’t we? And those cheaters shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it! Or so the rationalizing goes.
But Jesus had something else in mind. So much of what our Lord said comes down to the issue of control. Which will you decide to do: allow your anger to control you? Or will you take control of your anger by demonstrating strength of character as you decide to forgive? If we allow our anger to take charge, then we’re also giving that person – the one we’re so intent on seeing punished for what he or she has done – control over us, too. Essentially, we’re giving them permission to make us miserable! That’s why it’s so important to forgive. Forgiving is for our sake, for our contentment and for our ability to grow spiritually.
Collect for the Day
Lord of eternity, creator of all things, in your Son Jesus Christ you open for us the way to resurrection that we may enjoy your bountiful goodness: may we who celebrate your servants Gregory and Macrina press onwards in faith to your boundless love and ever wonder at the miracle of your presence among us; 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.