April 08, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 31, 43, 143
Exodus 10:21-11:8
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Mark 10:46-52

II. Selections
Psalms 31:5
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Exodus 10:21
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt."

2 Corinthians 4:15
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Mark 10:49
Jesus stood still and said, "Call [ Bartimaeus] here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you."

III. Meditation: Take heart, and get up
"Into your hands I commit my spirit."

Famous words, quoted by one inestimably more worthy than I.
But I can appropriate them for my own
for he has made me his own-
called me like Bartimaeus,
redeemed from a darkness deep enough to be felt.

And I take heart, and get up,
and pray that your grace
may extend to more and more people,
may increase thanksgiving,
to your glory, O faithful God.