+ Monday: Amos Chapter 5 +
Reading link: http://bit.ly/3K65ZPJ
Audio link: https://bit.ly/40PpGmp
Contemplation
[verses 21-24] As while committing evil, Israel went to the holy places for collective worship, to present sacrifices and offerings, and to celebrate feasts. God is not deceived by the outer appearances of worship, but seeks the heart first. …He rejects the superficial worship, not mixed with inner love. He referred all their worship to them, and not to Himself; calling them, “Your feast, Your burnt offerings’, although, in case He finds pleasure in them, He would call them ‘His feasts, His Sabbaths, and His burnt offerings!’ He does not endure their praises and songs, calling them “the noise of your songs”; And according to the words of the apostle Paul: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13: 1). In order for their worship to be well received, He says: “Let truth (justice) run down like water, and righteous (alms) like a mighty stream”… Namely, let your life be mixed with justice and the love of giving, instead of cruelty and oppression.
+ Fr Tadros Malaty
Personal Question
Am I like the Israelites, do I knowingly do/love sin but placate myself with going to Church & the Holy Liturgy & Sunday School and saying I’m a Christian? Is my worship superficial, am I concerning myself with the outer appearance of worship?