July 18, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 42, 102, 133
Joshua 2:15-24
Romans 11:13-24
Matthew 25:14-30

II. Selections
Psalm 102:6
I am like an owl of the wilderness,
like a little owl of the waste places.
I lie awake;
I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.

Joshua 2:19
" ...If any of you go out of the doors of your house into the street, they shall be responsible for their own death, and we shall be innocent; but if a hand is laid upon any who are with you in the house, we shall bear the responsibility for their death. ..." [ The parting words of the spies, to Rahab the prostitute, who had saved them]

Romans 11:20b
So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

Matthew 25:14-15
" ...For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ... " [ Jesus, to his disciples]

III. Meditation: Responsibility-any limits?

I lie awake,
a lonely bird on the housetop,
a little owl in the wilderness.
You have given me much-
what responsibility accompanies the gift?

Save me from pride,
for there is no reason
to be proud of a gift,
though I stand in awe
of the generosity.

And keep me from the attitude of the spies,
who expressed no gratitude to Rahab,
and worried more about limiting their responsibility
than making the most of the gift
she had provided.