September 10, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 103, 117, 139
Job 25:1-6, 27:1-6
Revelation 14:1-7, 13
Matthew 5:13-20

II. Selections
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Job 25:4
" ...How then can a mortal be righteous before God?
How can one born of woman be pure? ... " [ Bildad the Shuhite to Job]

Revelation 14:13a
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord."

Matthew 5:13
" ...You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ... " [ Jesus to the crowds on the mountain]

III. Meditation: If you search us

If you search us, O God-as search us you surely do,
if you know our thoughts-as you do know them,
then well you know we are full of wicked ways,
salt that has lost its saltiness, good for nothing
but to be thrown out and trampled under foot.

How then can a mortal be righteous before you?
Or how can one born of woman be pure?
Into our despair, a voice from heaven:
"Blessed are the dead who from
now on die in the Lord."