January 22, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 46, 67, 93
Genesis 13:2-18
Galatians 2:1-10
Mark 7:31-37

II. Selections
Psalm 93:4
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
majestic on high is the LORD!

Genesis 13:5-7a
Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them living together; for their possessions were so great that they could not live together, and there was strife between the herders of Abram's livestock and the herders of Lot's livestock.

Galatians 2:2
I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.

Mark 7:36
Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.

III. Meditation: Authority figures
Even though Abram and Lot maintained
amiable relations with one another-
and this in spite of the fact
that the land would not support
their great possessions-
they could not prevent strife between their livestock herders.

Paul had his doubts about the authority
of the acknowledged leaders of the Church.
And Jesus ordered his followers
to tell no one about his miracle;
but the more he ordered them,
the more zealously they proclaimed it.

Clearly, it is hard to submit to authority,
but your authority comes with incomparable majesty.
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
more majestic than the waves of the sea,
you are majestic on high.
How can we not submit to you?