The Daily Office for May 28, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 106
Ezekiel 33:1-11
1 John 1:1-11
Matthew 9:27-34
Reading (Ezekiel 33:1-11)
Reflection
If you follow sports, you’re probably familiar with the ‘‘big contract syndrome”. Here’s what happens: An athlete – let’s say a hockey player – starts showing signs of greatness. A team owner recognizes this and signs the player to a long-term, high-priced contract. After signing, however, the player’s performance starts to suffer and he rarely shows the promise that got him the contract in the first place. Maybe the drop-off is due to the pressure of trying to live up to the expectations that go with the new salary. But most fans and sportswriters will complain that the player has become complacent.
Whatever the situation, it’s nice to be content and comfortable. But too often contentment and comfort lead to complacency and being self-satisfied. Complacency has no part in the lives of God’s people. Why do you suppose God is so strongly against complacency? Perhaps the best explanation is that complacency is a problem of the heart. It indicates that we have become detached from God and His concerns. God has a tremendous plan for His people – a plan that requires work on our part. If God has blessed us with material possessions, we must not forget that those blessings are not merely for our own enjoyment, they’re for the benefit of the entire Kingdom. We are commanded to use the blessings God has given us to help others. We must never forget or ignore that responsibility.
Collect for the Day
Gracious God, lover of all, in this sacrament we are one family in Christ your Son, one in the sharing of his body and blood and one in the communion of his Spirit: help us to grow in love for one another and come to the full maturity of the Body of Christ. We make our prayer through your Son our Saviour. Amen.