Retreat of the Sins that Bind Us--June 25, 2016

[From June 30, 2012 & July 1, 2000 archives]

The sins that bind and oppress--hatred,

selfishness, jealousy, pride, vindictiveness--

all enemies shall retreat in the day we call to you.

To us it was a hard thing, when Aaron was dying,

to strip him of his vestments and put them on his son;

but it was thought a father can die, yet live on in his son.

Much more crucially, because you are for us

we can die to our old life, and yet live in your Son.

Blessed is the one who came in your name.  Hosanna!

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 56; 149; 118; 111

Num. 20:14-29

Rom. 6:1-11

Matt. 21:1-11

Selected Verses

Ps. 56:9

Then my enemies will retreat
          in the day when I call.
          This I know, that God is for me.

Num. 20:28a

Moses stripped Aaron of his vestments, and put them on his son Eleazar; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain.

Rom. 6:8

But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Matt. 21:9

The crowds that went ahead of [Jesus] and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!"