The Daily Office for October 11, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
The theme of Psalm 131 is "A psalm celebrating the blessedness of the man who is meek and lowly in spirit." This unpretentious psalm is one of the great gems of the Psalter. Its teaching on humility parallels such New Testament passages as Matthew 19:3, James 4:6, and I Peter 5:5. David is both the author and the subject of the psalm.
David opens by saying that his heart is not lifted up with pride and his eyes do not seek the things upon which pride feeds. Further, he doesn't attempt to delve into the secrets of God’s purposes, or into His sovereign designs. He explains that one who is weaned from self automatically thinks of others. Based on his own experience with the Lord, David exhorts all Israel to humbly recognize God as their source of hope. Of course today each one who names Christ Jesus as Saviour has this same assurance.
Collect for the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; 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.