Faith Daily |14 July 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p561

O Lord, we beseech you

mercifully to receive the prayers of your people

who call upon you,

and grant that they may both perceive and know

what things they ought to do,

and also may have grace and power

faithfully to fulfill them;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 11: 25-27

25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Ian McCarthy

Prior to entering St Francis Theological College for training as an Ordinand for the Brisbane Diocese in the late 1980’s, I was invited by one of the sessional lecturers from the College to attend a graduation at St John’s College at the University of Queensland.

At this particular time in my previous working career I was employed as a Sales Representative for the multinational food group Goodman Fielder Wattie. However, nothing prepared me for the speaker(Diocesan Bishop) or his key note address which was titled “What is the Value of a Bachelor of Theology?”

The title and contents of the Bishop’s key note address seemed quite inappropriate given that the graduates I was seated amongst had successfully mastered the very challenging academic work over a minimum of three or so years during their formation time in Theological College.

But the speaker’s address did cause me to reflect carefully on my own journey because indeed the qualification of a Bachelor’s degree or any other qualification, does not necessarily equip an individual for the role of either Deacon or Priest. Despite all the academic qualifications and achievements gained, I sincerely believe that the essential ingredient required involves “relationship” with people.

This particular passage from Matthew 11:25-27 is possibly one of the most incredible and revealing passages in Matthew (and Luke as well).The saying about the Father and the Son is strikingly similar in style to the gospel of John, and quite unlike anything that appears in the synoptic gospels.

On further reflection, I think that in all three synoptic gospels Jesus speaks of God as Father and therefore revealing himself as “Son”.

The main focus in my personal reflection within this reading is on the special relationship between the Father (God) and the Son (Jesus).

In summary, my personal experience attending that particular graduation many years ago at St John’s College prompts me continually to reflect on the notion of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ throughout my daily routine.

FINAL PRAYER: Psalm 100, chosen by Ian

SING FOR JOY

Sing for joy to the Lord, all the world! Worship the Lord gladly, And come before him with joyful songs! Never forget that the Lord is God! He made us, and we belong to him; We are his people, we are his flock. Enter his temple with thanksgiving, Go into his sanctuary with praise! Give thanks to him and praise him! The Lord is good; His love lasts for ever, And his faithfulness for all time.

Amen.