Revelation to Joseph readings
Romans 12:1-8
The New Life in Christ
Brothers and Sisters:
I appeal to you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. Praise be to God always!
John 7:37-44
Rivers of Living Water
The Apostle said:
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. This is the truth. Peace be with you.
Jesus did not concern himself with pleasing others. He spoke the truth in love. We are called to be consecrated which means set apart. We are concerned with divine things. Yet, like Jesus we are in the world as love and bringers of peace. We should not let ourselves be formed or molded into the image of the world but should be the image of God.
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Hope of the living and Harbor of safety,
where all who are weary and troubled by the surging waves and
misfortunes of this world find rest;
grant that we may safely reach your port,
the place of eternal rest,
with all who have been pleasing to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for ever.
Amen.