A Rule of Life Adds Focus and Clarity to Your Life
AM: Psalm 145 • Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 • Acts 12:25-13:3
PM: Psalms 67, 96 • Isaiah 62:6-12 • 2 Timothy 4:1-11
Today is the Feast Day of St. Mark. St. Mark the Evangelist is traditionally ascribed as the author of the Gospel of Mark, the earliest gospel. Mark is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important episcopal sees of early Christianity. His feast day is celebrated on April 26, and his symbol is the winged lion.
The lion, that is well-known as symbol of power, pride, magnificence, nobility and courage was associated to Mark because he emphasizes the Resurrection power, the majesty and the regality of Christ and the characteristics of his Gospel.
Our readings for the Feast Day of St. Mark encourage us to show our thankfulness for our lives and grace.
Psalm 145 is a song of praise which reminds us that God first loved us. “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Our Ecclesiastes’ reading concludes after an extensive inventory of all the possessions and experiences of life in 2:11 “Then, I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
Timothy says, “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.”
Today’s readings brought me back to what I recently learned in an online forum studying Presiding Bishop Curry’s book, Love Is the Way. He reminds that each of us, as a Child of God, have ready access to God’s love, grace and forgiveness, if we seek it. Bishop Curry encourages us to establish a Rule of Life to better focus our lives and service.
He cites six elements for a Rule of Life:
Body: Seek your best physical and mental shape
Mind: Commit time to learning and growing
Spirit: Schedule daily time for prayer
Relationships: Set aside quality time to connect with others, say “I love you!”
Give Back: Practice a “We, not me” philosophy
Community: Connect with who could support me and I them
From our Easter experience, consider adding a Rule of Life to yours. I was amazed how the Rule of Life exercise refocused my priorities and sense of self.
Written by Walt Eilers
Walt Eilers enjoyed his first time inside church Easter Sunday at St. Mark’s Little Rock. The feeling of corporate worship was a delightful and missed experience. Alleluia!