June 06, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 28, 54, 99
Ecclesiastes 2:16-26
Galatians 1:18-2:10
Matthew 13:53-58

II. Selections
Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors,
while mischief is in their hearts.

Ecclesiastes 2:23
For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.

Galatians 2:2b-c
Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles; in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.

Matthew 13:57b
But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house."

III. Meditation: In vain
In vain Jesus spoke in his hometown.
Paul checked with the Jerusalem leaders
to make sure his work was not in vain.

If our hearts are full of mischief,
it is in vain that we speak peace
to our neighbors.

Days full of pain; work a vexation;
rest-deprived minds, even at night-
all products of vain living.

Save us from a life of vanity.