Above: Tree Roots
Photographed by Samuel Herman Gottscho (1875-1971) on August 22, 1932
Image Source = Library of Congress
Reproduction Number = LC-USZC2-4270
2 Chronicles and Colossians, Part II: Gratitude to God
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Assigned Readings:
2 Chronicles 33:1-25
Psalm 104 (Morning)
Psalms 118 and 111 (Evening)
Colossians 1:23-2:7
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you love me you will keep my commandments.
–John 14:15, The New Jerusalem Bible
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The theme of keeping divine commandments unites this day’s readings. The psalms (104, 111, and 118) and the lesson from Colossians speak of gratitude in various contexts. One way of expressing gratitude is doing that which pleases the one to whom one is grateful. The opposite pattern fills the verses of the lection from 2 Chronicles.
God has done so much for us that we can never repay the debt, not that God expects us to do that. But simple gratitude–lived gratitude–is proper and possible. We do not have to guess what pleases God, for we have a model–Jesus–to follow. The definition of discipleship in Christianity is following Jesus through good and bad times. May our love for God, by grace, glorify God, bring others to God, and demonstrate our gratitude to the One who has done more for us than we can repay. May we, rooted in Christ, be Christ to others.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 24, 2013 COMMON ERA
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, YEAR C
THE FEAST OF SAINT MATTHIAS THE APOSTLE, MARTYR
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ORDINARY TIME DEVOTIONS 
Pingback: 2 Chronicles and Colossians, Part II: Gratitude to God | BLOGA THEOLOGICA