The Daily Office for May 12, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 75
Leviticus 23:23-44
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Matthew 7:13-21
Reading (2_Thessalonians 3:1-18)
Reflection
In the late 1950s in Britain, physicians began writing prescriptions for a potent new drug called Thalidomide to reduce the severity of morning sickness. The drug worked. But months later, many of the children born to these mothers suffered from severe birth defects. By the time scientists discovered that Thalidomide was a direct harm to developing fetuses, more than 10,000 infants had been born with physical deformities. The drug was immediately recalled, but not before thousands of families had experienced profound trauma.
Many bad mistakes result from people with good intentions. We who have lived the Christian life a while may think we have God figured out. But if we are honest, we will begin to see a pattern: We are imposing our expectations on God. And as Jesus reminded His disciples, that is an attitude that is doomed to fail. We have to put aside selfish tendencies, whatever the cost, to follow Him.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.