March 08, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 27, 51
Genesis 37:25-36
1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Mark 1:29-45

II. Selections
Psalm 27:10
If my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will take me up.

Genesis 37:27
" ...Come, let us sell [ Joseph] to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers agreed.

1 Corinthians 2:3
And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.

Mark 1:36-37
And Simon and his companions hunted for [ Jesus]. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you."

III. Meditation: If my father and mother forsake me
Family bonds are usually strong,
but not always-witness Joseph's brothers.
Still, even at their strongest,
family ties are nothing
compared to our bond with you.

But how do we form such a bond?
If at times we approach other people
in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
where do we find the courage
to approach you?

The answer is simple.
Though we may search for you
as assiduously as the disciples searched for Jesus,
you find us, not we you;
and you do not forsake us.