March 22, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 27, 51, 147:1-11
Genesis 45:16-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 6:13-29

II. Selections
Psalm 51:6
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Genesis 45:20
" ' ...Give no thought to your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.' " [ Pharaoh's instructions, that Joseph should pass on to his brothers and father.]

1 Corinthians 8:6
...yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Mark 6:26
The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse [ the queen's daughter, who asked for the head of John the baptizer].

III. Meditation: Truth in the inward being
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach us wisdom in our secret heart.

Teach us that you are the one God,
from whom are all things
and for whom we exist.

Teach us that you have given us one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things
and through whom we exist.

Then teach us to distinguish
what matters most
from the things that matter much:

Not our possessions,
not adherence to foolish vows,
and not the opinion of others;

But truth in our inward being
and wisdom in our secret heart.