Love Enfleshed
- davidwperk
- Apr 13, 2021
- 5 min read
Daily Office Devotional, Wednesday, April 14, 2021
The week of the second Sunday of Easter
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Today we celebrate the Feast of Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione. (See below.)
Daily Office Lectionary readings
AM Psalms 119:1-24 PM Psalms 12, 13, 14
Daniel 2:17-30; 1 John 2:12-17; John 17:20-26
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Office Epistle, 1 John 2:12-17
12 I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young people,
because you have conquered the evil one.
14 I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young people,
because you are strong
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world-the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches-comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.
David's Reflections
German theologian Jürgen Moltmann says:
“God’s creative love . . . becomes a liberating power in our lives wherever it lays hold of us.”*
The author of 1 John offers quite a litany of the gifts of grace that his readers have received through their faith, through that liberating power of love.
your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
you know him who is from the beginning.
you have conquered the evil one.
you know the Father.
you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
These statements expose the author's confidence in the readers; he felt certain they would respond to his reassurances and encouragements because of the spiritual resources they enjoyed as Christians.
As we reflect on these gifts, does it encourage us to know that these realities are true for us as well? Our sins have been forgiven. We have a relationship with Jesus by faith (him who is from the beginning). The evil one cannot dominate our lives; our faith sets us free and gives us the strength to resist temptation. We have a relationship with the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The final paragraph urges us not to love "the world." What does the writer mean? He does not mean the creation. Rather, for him "the world" is that realm of existence that is separated from and ignorant of God. He offers three explanatory phrases. First, "the desire of the flesh." Flesh is not the body; rather, flesh is that dynamic force of resistance to the divine that lurks in human nature and in human society. The two other phrases, "the desire of the eyes" and "the pride of riches," refer to greed and feelings of security sparked by possessions. As Bultmann put it ". . . the one addicted to the 'world' has closed himself to the love of God directed toward him. For to love God and to be loved by him are a unity; the former is grounded in the latter."+
This age, this realm of human existence, "the world," is on its way out. The new order of God's kingdom is coming just as the sun rises in the morning and chases the darkness before it (the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines, v. 8). We are encouraged to value and organize our lives around what is eternal, God's loving presence, the real humanity of Christ, and the values and beliefs of our faith. Otherwise, our ability to receive God's love will be blunted. This passage does challenge us to ask, “Just what beliefs and values are driving my life?”.
*Jürgen Moltmann, Experiences in Theology: Ways and Forms of Christian Theology, trans. Margaret Kohl (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000), p. 58.
+ Rudolf Bultmann, The Epistles of John. Hermenia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1973) p. 33.
Collect of the Day, Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (BCP, 224)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione, unmercenary physicians (died ca 100, 117 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione
Merciful God, whose most dear Son came to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and preach the gospel to the poor; Teach us by the example of your servants, Zenaida, Philonella, and Hermione to freely give even as we have freely received; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
For the Diocese
O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop(s) Peter and David, our Bishop Coadjutor, Shannon, David, our priest, and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 817)
A Prayer for Light
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. (BCP, 111)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
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