Wisdom from Above--Nov. 21, 2012

[From Nov. 22, 2006 Archive]

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so you surround us with your love.

The lepers were not permitted near Jesus,

but they approached as close as they could.

What prevents us from approaching you,

from showing due honor and respect?

From receiving your wisdom—

wisdom pure, peaceable, gentle?

Wisdom that is willing to yield,

full of mercy and good fruits,

free from all partiality,

free from hypocrisy?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 65; 147:7-11; 125; 91

Mal. 1:1, 6-14

James 3:13-4:12

Luke 17:11-19

Selected Verses

Psalm 125:2

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

            so the LORD surrounds his people,

            from this time on and forevermore.

Malachi 1:6a-b

A son honors his father, and servants their master.  If then I am a father, where is the honor due me?  And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?  says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name.

James 3:17

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.

Luke 17:12-13

As [Jesus] entered a village, ten lepers approached him.  Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”