This Daily Devotion is to help our members and others reflect on the understanding of Christian service to our Lord.

Devotion for Sunday, January 3, 2021

The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite, Msgr. George Appleyard

The Tenth Day of Christmas

An Invitation to Prayer

They looked up and saw a star
shining in the East beyond them far.
-Let us walk with the Magi by its light.

Psalm 64/65:10-14

You visited the earth and drenched it,
enriching it over and over.
The river of God is filled with water,
and this is how you provide food.
You drench the (earth’s) furrows,
and increase its crops.
The crop that sprouts is glad for the rain!
In your goodness you will bless the crown of the year,
and the plains will be fruitful.
The mountains in the wild will be lush,
and the hills will be glad.
The rams of the flock are wooly,
the valleys are mantled with grain.
They shout. They sing a hymn!

A reading adapted from Basil’s, Homily on Proverbs 1;1-5

The very first verse identifies the author. After all, teachers with established reputations, are easier to trust, and students look for such teachers. Here the author is endorsed by no less than God, who says in I Kings 3:12, “I have given you a prudent and wise heart. There has never been one like you, and after you there will never be your equal.” The name of his father is added so you may know he was the son of a wise man and a prophet, David, and was educated from boyhood in the sacred texts and-more over-that he did not inherit the kingdom by chance, nor seize it by force, but from the just decision of his father and also of God. This is the man who became king of Jerusalem. All these details are significant, especially with respect to the building of the Temple.

A Prayer

Lord, organizations form with the best of intentions, but sometimes loose sight of their original goals and values. Protect our Order and keep it integral and authentic. Let us show that we are companions of Lazarus, the host of your Son, and also with Lazarus, the beggar. May we approach you with such generosity of spirit that there will be no doubt that we are your servants, and that we have brought you genuine gifts: our donations, our worship and our efforts.
Amen!