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

Devotion for Sunday, December 5, 2021

The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite, Msgr. George Appleyard

An Invitation to Prayer

Thus says the Lord Almighty:
In just a little while I will shake the sky and the earth,
the sea and the dry land,
and I will shake all the nations
and the most precious of all the nations shall come. (Haggai 2:6)
-So come, let us adore him!

Psalm 118/119, He

Teach me the way of your judgments,
and I will pursue them at all times.
Make me understand, and I will study your law,
and I will keep it with my whole heart.
Guide me on the path of your dictates,
for this is what I want.
Open my heart to your testimonies,
and not to avarice.
Keep my eyes from looking at foolish things,
and strengthen me for your way.
Set your word before your servant to respect you.
Remove the disgrace that I dread,
for your judgments are fair.
Look! I welcome your commandments;
enliven me in your justice.

A reading from Basil’s, On the Human Condition

And the Lord said, “Let them rule,” not “let them be angry, and lustful and jealous,” for the passions are not included in the image of God, but reason is the master of the passions. As soon as you are created you are also made a ruler. “Let them rule.” When receiving authority from the governor for one year-as a human from a human, as a mortal from a mortal-one receives it from someone who really doesn’t possess it, for what authority does a human possess innately? But you did receive authority from God, not written on paper, but inscribed on your nature by the Divine Voice, “Let them rule.” This faculty to rule was given immediately upon the decision to create, so you are meant to rule. Then why do you become a slave to your passions? For what reason do you make yourself a slave of the devil? If you do so, you renounce the nobility of your own nature.

A Prayer based on Haggai 1:5

Set my heart, Lord, to consider your ways. You have given me much and I have returned so little. You have given me a lot, but I still want more. You have given me plenty, but it is not enough for me. You have wrapped me in your love, but I neglect it. You have given me my wages, but I squander them. So set my heart, Lord, upon your ways!
Amen!