Peter's Lies, and Ours--Sept. 1, 2015

Lord Jesus,

Peter told a vile lie,

cursing and swearing

he did not know you.

We have not walked

with integrity of heart

and uprightness--have

uttered lies to each other.

For is it not speaking with a

double heart when we bless the

poor and hungry, but do not provide

for them?  You forgave Peter, who changed

his ways.  O Jesus, pray help us to change ours.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 12; 146; 36; 7

1 Kings 8:65-9:9

James 2:14-26

Mark 14:66-72

Selected Verses

Ps. 12:2, 8

They utter lies to each other;
          with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.  …

On every side the wicked prowl,
          as vileness is exalted among humankind.

1 Kings 9:4

"…As for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my ordinances… [The LORD to Solomon]

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 

Mark 14:71

But [Peter] began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.”