This Daily Devotion is to help our members and others reflect on the understanding of Christian service to our Lord.
Devotion for Friday, December 3, 2021
The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite, Msgr. George Appleyard
An Invitation to Prayer
God is coming from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Pharan,
His majesty fills the skies,
and his praise fills the earth.
He is as brilliant as light,
he holds its rays in his hands. (Habakkuk 3:3)
-O come, let us adore him.
Psalm 118/119, Gimal
Reward your servant,
that I may live to keep your words.
Open my eyes that I might comprehend the wonders of your law.
I am a foreigner on the earth,
do not hide your dictates from me.
My soul longs deeply for your rules in all things.
You rebuke the arrogant;
cursed are they who deviate from your dictates.
Spare me scorn and contempt
because I have looked for your testimonies.
Although those in power sit and rail at me,
your servant studies your laws.
For I meditate on your decrees,
and will not forget your words.
A reading from Basil’s, On the Human Condition
“Let us make the human being according to our image and likeness. And let them rule the fish.”Gen 1:26 Rule by the body or by the mind? Is the ruling power in the psyche or in the flesh? Our bodies are weaker than those of many animals. What comparison is there between the body of a human being and a camel, a human and an ox, a human and any wild beast you like? Human flesh is easily attacked and captured by a wild animal. What is the principle that allows dominance? It is the superiority of reason. What is lacking in physical strength is enabled by the use of reason. How does a person move tremendous weights, by physical vigor or by thinking?
A Prayer based on Proverbs 2:6.
O Most High, your sacred Word tells us that you are the source of wisdom, and that you provide knowledge and discernment, promoting competence in a just person. Grant me wisdom, that I may act on fact and not fancy, that I may discern accurately and so act well and justly, and never resort to brute force of any kind. Clear my mind of prejudice and gross assumptions so that I may see more clearly into the reality of all things, of which you are both the source and the purpose.
Amen!
Note
Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary, is remembered in the West today, and Zephaniah the prophet is remembered in the East.