The Daily Office for May 5, 2012
Scriptures
Psalm 55
Exodus 40:18-38
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Matthew 5:38-48
Reading (1_Thessalonians 4:1-12)
Reflection
One of the basic tenets of the medical profession is “First do no harm”. All medical caregivers – physicians, surgeons, nurses, emergency medical technicians, psychiatrists – are bound by this principle. The idea is that before any treatment is administered to a patient, the caregiver must determine to the best of his or her ability that the treatment will not injure or put the patient at risk.
Although no such official guideline governs the actions of Christian servants, this principle is one we should adopt. Before we do something to care for or protect a person in need, we should consider the implications of our actions. In our eagerness to minister, we may end up doing unintentional harm.
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.