Daily Office

Year One, Proper 6, Monday: Who deserves the covenant?

Today's Readings:

• Psalm 80
• 1 Samuel. 1:1-20
• Acts 1:1-14
• Luke 20:9-19

Today we read about the birth of Samuel. His mother was Hanna, a second wife, and barren. The first wife of Elkanah has children. Hanna begs God for a male child and promises to give the child to God for God's service. She gives birth to Samuel.
In the Book of Acts we read about Jesus' ascension and promise of Pentecost. Jesus still refers to God as a separate entity, reminding me that the doctrine of the Trinity is a human construction. Jesus does not give a timetable for the restoration of Israel. In fact, He says that it is not our place to know about that timetable.
Luke tells us that Jesus threatened the leaders of the Church with the idea that God would take the promise of His Covenant and give it to others who are worthy. Near the end of His life, Jesus teaches that the covenant is not the sole property of the Hebrews, but of anyone who is faithful to God. It is another sign of the changes that Jesus went through. His ministry was no longer about finding the lost sheep of Israel, but bringing all of humanity back to God.

posted by Josh English @ 12:27 PM