February 18, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 56, 111, 118
Genesis 35:1-20
1 John 3:11-18
John 11:1-16

II. Selections
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever.

Genesis 35:1-20
And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died, and she was buried under an oak below Bethel. So it was called Allon-bacuth [ Oak of Weeping].

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death.

John 11:16
Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

III. Meditation: Death and love
We are afraid of death, our own and others'.
Sometimes that means we also fear you.
It does not seem a healthy basis for a relationship,
but I can accept that it is the beginning of wisdom.

Death is a time of weeping,
a time when we cling to memories.
Death can draw us closer to one another,
perhaps even closer to you.

There is a peculiar relation between love and death.
We pass from death to life when we love;
whoever does not love abides in death;
and if our love is great, we are willing to die for it.