This Daily Devotion is to help our members and others reflect on the understanding of Christian service to our Lord.
Devotion for Sunday, December 17, 2023
The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite, Msgr. George Appleyard
An Invitation to Prayer
O Wisdom, come from on high
and set aright all things with your power.
Reveal the path of knowledge to us,
and teach us to follow in her ways.
-Come, let us adore him.
Pe
Your testimonies are awesome,
and so my soul sought them.
The exposition of your words
enlightens and teaches the lowly.
I opened my mouth and sighed,
for I eagerly sought your commands.
Look at me and have mercy on me
as You would on those who love Your law.
Direct my steps according to your dictates,
and let no lawlessness rule over me.
Deliver me from the accusations of the people,
and I will keep your commands.
Let your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your judgments.
How many tears stream from my eyes
because your law was not kept.
A reading adapted from Basil’s, On the Human Condition
“Look, I have given you every fruit-bearing tree to be your food.”Gen. 1:29 It did not say I give you the fish to eat, the domestic animals, the reptiles, the cattle. God did not make them for this purpose. The animals were subject to this law of nature in the same way, to be nourished by fruit. But when the human being changed his ways and went beyond the limits set for him, the Lord-knowing human depravity-permitted him the enjoyment of every kind of food after the flood.Gen. 9:3 By this concession all other living creatures were free to eat them.
A Prayer
O Lord, you were an intimate friend of Lazarus and his sisters. His death brought tears to your eyes and power to your voice so that you summoned him back to life from the fetters of death. Now, Lord, our very life, renew us by the power of your Spirit so that we might concern ourselves with the lives and needs of others and one day come to share eternal life all together with you in your heavenly kingdom.
Amen!
Note
Today is the feast of our heavenly patron, Lazarus of Bethany, in the West.