The Daily Office for October 2, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
In our reading from Acts Paul and his party resumed their trip by boat, sailing between the islands of Coos and Rhodes, where they apparently anchored overnight. From there, they reached Patara, a city on the mainland, where they found shipping that would take them directly across the sea to Syria (or Phoenicia) on the near eastern mainland, just north of Israel. Landing at Tyre, Paul spent seven days with a group of disciples while the ship probably unloaded its cargo. It was here that Paul was warned by a group of prophets in the church who disclosed through the Spirit that he should not go to Jerusalem.
It would seem that the apostle made a mistake here, though this is a highly debated issue. He had already been warned during the beginning of his ministry to quickly get out of Jerusalem. Paul’s motive for going to Jerusalem at this time seems to have been his great love for his people and his hope that the gifts of the Gentile churches, sent by him to the poor saints at Jerusalem, would open the hearts of the law-bound Jewish believers to the Good News of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Collect for the Day
Almighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; 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.