Thursday • 3/21/2024 •
Thursday of 5 Lent, Year Two 

This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 131, 132, 133; Exodus 7:25–8:19; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; Mark 10:17-31 

This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 8 (“The Song of Moses,” Exodus 15, BCP, p. 85); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94) 

Welcome to Daily Office Devotions, where every Monday through Friday we consider some aspect of that day’s Scripture readings, as given in the Book of Common Prayer. I’m Reggie Kidd, and I’m grateful to be with you. This is Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, as we prepare for Holy Week. 

A Beautiful Clustering of 3 Psalms of Assurance.  

It’s assuring to know that God so takes care of me that my soul can rest “tranquil and quiet like a child in its mother’s arms” (Psalm 131:2 JB).  

It’s assuring to know that I can rest in the truth that God is working all of history so as to dwell among us (Psalm 132:13) through an enthroned Son of David (132:11-12), revealed to us in the New Testament as Jesus Christ (Luke 1:31-33).  

And it’s assuring and motivating to know that God is in the business of dwelling, through King Jesus, in a place where “all…live together like brothers” (Psalm 133:1) 

Lord God, may King Jesus be enthroned in my life in such a way this day that I may know peace within my heart, and be at peace with my brothers and sisters. Comity and affability abound in the internal life of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But all-living-together-as-brothers is in short supply in a world of lockdowns and lockouts, of invading armies and fleeing populaces. Where there is estrangement and conflict, Lord, may your people show a better way. Lord, have mercy. 

Plagues of Frogs, Plagues of Gnats … and a Song Celebrating God’s Liberation of his People.  

The wild juxtaposition of the description of the second and third plagues (Exodus 7 and 8) with the Song of Moses from the far side of the Red Sea (Canticle 8 = Exodus 15) prompts within me this question: is my heart hardened against God’s purposes today? or am I yielding to “your constant love” with which “you lead the people you redeemed”? Christ, have mercy.  

Vision Unimpaired versus Vision Impaired.  

On the one hand, Paul joyfully describes the wonder and the hope of having the Spirit of God live inside us in such a way that we begin to see ourselves as changed people (2 Corinthians 3:7-18). Our transformation isn’t, according to Paul, into merely better versions of ourselves. Instead, as we reflect Jesus Christ in our lives, we become more and more like the One we are reflecting:  

“All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit” (v. 18).   

On the other hand, sadly, Jesus encounters a man whose wealth so clouds his vision that he can’t see true wealth (Mark 10:17-31). He has scrupulously kept the commandments regarding his behavior and relationships with others (e.g., parents and neighbors). However, he fails to recognize the treasure of a relationship with God. And as a result, he is unable to accept Jesus’s offer of that relationship: “Follow me.” Lord, give me eyes to see. Lord, have mercy.  

Be blessed this day. 

Reggie Kidd+