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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “sufficient unto the day…” Sufficient unto the day…” ends with the statement “is evil thereof” It is an aphorism or a proverbial phrase originally taken from Jesus’ teaching about worries in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (sufficient unto the day is evil thereof). (Matthew 6:34) How do we situate “sufficient unto the day…” in the context of Leviticus 23:4-14 which talks about the establishment of the Passover and the festival of unleavened bread and observance of the firstfruits offerings.

Dear friend, the key lesson for today’s reflection is that we should learn to take time off our busy schedules to observe important and sacred days as believers, for sufficient unto the day is evil thereof. In other words, taking time off our busy schedules or work to observe sacred or special days to honour or glorify God will not disturb our lives or cause us any substantial loss. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that “There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens”. There are days for work and there are days for rest and recreation. Similarly, there are days dedicated to worship services. We must ensure that after several hours and days of work in the month and in the year, we must make time to honour or glorify God by observing sacred days such as Sundays and sacred annual seasons or festivities such as Lent and Passover or Easter celebration and Advent and Christmas celebrations among others. The Israelites were instructed, “On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. For seven days present a food offering to the LORD. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’” (Leviticus 23:7-8). No regular work means no productive farming activity or trade should be carried out. The theme draws our attention to the fact that we must not be worried or become anxious over the things of this world to the extent that our sacred responsibilities to God will decline, for “sufficient unto the day is evil thereof“. Put in another way, we must focus on what is required of us today and leave the future for God, for He is in control of our lives and will provide.

In the world of materialism, we have virtually become workaholics and are always on the go. For many people including most Christians, money must be made 24/7 throughout the year. We have become so anxious about our needs that we have no time to rest and observe special and sacred days to honour God for our salvation and His sustenance and providence in our lives. We must learn to take time off our regular work or business and to spend time with the Lord when the time comes. Some people find themselves in occupations that may require them to work on such sacred days or festivities because of the essential nature of their work. For instance, workers in the security and health sectors may be required based on their duty roster to report to work on Sunday and during Easter or Christmas, but thankfully this will not always be the norm. However, the majority of workers are given breaks or the opportunity to observe their religious holidays. The question is, do we truly seize the opportunity given us “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? (Romans 12:1) Dear friend, sufficient unto the day is evil thereof, therefore, Paul admonishes that “brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) Again the writer of Hebrews encourages us that “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together (on Sundays and special sacred days), as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:24-27) Who then are God’s enemies? Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 7: 21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Making time or taking time off our busy schedules as believers to join other believers to observe the sacred days or celebrations of God is also part of doing the will of God. Let us not be in the habit of giving excuses with our businesses and work in order to avoid our sacred duties or responsibilities, for sufficient unto the day is evil thereof. If we do not live to see tomorrow, someone else will definitely take over that office or business which has made us so busy to the extent that we do not have time for God’s sacred days. We must stop the numerous excuses as believers! Peter tells us that “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:34-35) Dear friend, according to Prophet Zechariah, “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. The only way we can return to the Lord is when we rend our hearts, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:9-10). Dear friend, are you going to remain the same after observing the Passover or Easter? How long will you keep avoiding Bible Study and prayer activities at Church as a believer? How long will you l keep attending church once in a while? How long will you keep avoiding the Holy Communion because of your estrangement from the Lord? Remember, time may not be on our side, therefore, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, grant us the discernment and the will to faithfully discharge our spiritual or sacred responsibilities by offering ourselves to God as living sacrifices to the glory of His Holy Name. Amen