Above: The Pool of Bethesda
Image in the Public Domain
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Zephaniah 1:1-18 or Proverbs 25:6-22
Psalm 119:73-77, 103-105
1 Timothy 6:9-21
John 5:1-18
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Idols abound. They include wealth, power, prestige, and foreign religions. Even the most well-meaning people are vulnerable to these temptations.
As we read in 1 Timothy 6, we should be rich in good deeds. As we read in Psalm 119, we should delight in the Law of God. And, as even much of Second Temple Judaism affirmed, performing a good deed on the Sabbath is acceptable.
Those who criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath in John 5:16f seemed not to have cared about that final detail. Sabbath laws were flexible in Second Temple Judaism, or at least in portions thereof. There were schools of Judaism. And, within each school, personal agendas informed how some people responded and reacted to various deeds on the Sabbath.
None of this should surprise us–especially Gentiles. I recall a saying from my formative years (as a United Methodist) in southern Georgia, U.S.A., in the Bible Belt:
There are Baptists, then there are Baptists.
So, may we lay aside the stereotype of Second Temple Judaism as a legalistic religion with works-based righteousness. May we do so as we follow the advice (from 1 Timothy 6) to be rich in good works. After all, one knows a tree by its fruits.
We can take nothing with us when we die. We can, at that time, however, leave a legacy of faithful, active love. We can leave a legacy of trust in God, love of God, and love of our fellow human beings. We can leave the world better than we found it. We can leave this life rich in good deeds.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 4, 2021 COMMON ERA
THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
THE FEAST OF SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON, FOUNDRESS OF THE AMERICAN SISTERS OF CHARITY
THE FEAST OF FELIX MANZ, FIRST ANABAPTIST MARTYR, 1527
THE FEAST OF SAINTS GREGORY OF LANGRES, TERTICUS OF LANGRES, GALLUS OF CLERMONT, GREGORY OF TOURS, AVITUS I OF CLERMONT, MAGNERICUS OF TRIER, AND GAUGERICUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS
THE FEAST OF JOHANN LUDWIG FREYDT, GERMAN MORAVIAN COMPOSER AND EDUCATOR
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Adapted from these posts:
https://ordinarytimedevotions.wordpress.com/2021/01/04/devotion-for-proper-7-year-d-humes/
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
You must be logged in to post a comment.