Monday, February 25, 2008
From AscensionNYC
Monday in the Third Week of Lent
by Dorothy Dinsmoor
Psalm 15
Acts 1:15-26
John 15:1, 6-16
These passages speak to me of friendship and of the commitments God commands us to make to one another. The psalmist asks God, "Who may dwell on [his] holy hill?" The reply is crisp and specific: "those who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends." And on the positive side: those who "speak the truth from their hearts" and "stand by their oath even to their hurt." This last admonition reminds me that fulfilling commitments isn't always easy or pleasant, and may in fact require sacrifice. But the reward is a quality of steadfastness and peace of mind, as "those who do these things may not be moved."
In the reading from Acts, the apostles pray that God might show them which one of two candidates should take the place of Judas in the apostles' ministry. They cast lots; and Matthias is selected to join the apostles and "become a witness" with them to Christ's resurrection. With the appointment, Matthias takes his place among a group united in friendship by their high calling.
The passage from John recounts Jesus' instructions to his disciples as he prepares to fulfill his mission. Jesus speaks of love and friendship, saying that true friendship may require even giving up one's life for one's friends. This suggests as well that I need to be prepared to give up ways of living and thinking that prevent me from fully expressing the love of friendship. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. …You are my friends if you do what I command you." He goes on to explain that he calls his disciples friends because he has given them all the knowledge he has heard from his Father. Friendship means action: "I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." And in return, "the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."
Bearing fruit that will last is the work of legacy, a call to do our part to shape a better world and to enrich the lives of those we call friends.
Psalm 15
Acts 1:15-26
John 15:1, 6-16
These passages speak to me of friendship and of the commitments God commands us to make to one another. The psalmist asks God, "Who may dwell on [his] holy hill?" The reply is crisp and specific: "those who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends." And on the positive side: those who "speak the truth from their hearts" and "stand by their oath even to their hurt." This last admonition reminds me that fulfilling commitments isn't always easy or pleasant, and may in fact require sacrifice. But the reward is a quality of steadfastness and peace of mind, as "those who do these things may not be moved."
In the reading from Acts, the apostles pray that God might show them which one of two candidates should take the place of Judas in the apostles' ministry. They cast lots; and Matthias is selected to join the apostles and "become a witness" with them to Christ's resurrection. With the appointment, Matthias takes his place among a group united in friendship by their high calling.
The passage from John recounts Jesus' instructions to his disciples as he prepares to fulfill his mission. Jesus speaks of love and friendship, saying that true friendship may require even giving up one's life for one's friends. This suggests as well that I need to be prepared to give up ways of living and thinking that prevent me from fully expressing the love of friendship. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. …You are my friends if you do what I command you." He goes on to explain that he calls his disciples friends because he has given them all the knowledge he has heard from his Father. Friendship means action: "I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last." And in return, "the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name."
Bearing fruit that will last is the work of legacy, a call to do our part to shape a better world and to enrich the lives of those we call friends.
