March 09, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 27, 102, 126
Genesis 39:1-23
1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15
Mark 2:1-12

II. Selections
Psalm 27:4
One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

Genesis 39:21
But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:15
For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

Mark 2:4
And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay.

III. Meditation: One thing I ask
O God, one thing I ask of you,
one thing that I seek after:
to live in your house
all the days of my life,
to behold your beauty,
and inquire in your temple.

Your house is not made of wood or stone,
your temple not bounded by roof or by walls.
Your servants are your house;
working together
we are your building,
we are your property.

It is in your world I seek to live,
to behold its beauty,
to inquire of your ways;
and if I cannot find you,
or those in need are kept away,
I'll raise the roof to reach you.

We can live in such a house-
though our dwelling be a prison-
if you will show
your steadfast love
and grant us all
your favor.