September 11, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 5, 29, 82
Job 32:1-10, 19-33:1, 19-28
Acts 13:44-52
John 10:19-30

II. Selections
Psalm 82:3
" ...Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. ... " [ God in the divine council]

Job 32:7-8
" ...I said, 'Let days speak
and many years teach wisdom.'
But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,
the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding. ... " [ Elihu]

Acts 13:46
Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. ... " [ speaking to the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia]

John 10:24
So the Jews gathered around [ Jesus] and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

III. Meditation: The breath of the Almighty

Instant awareness of divine wisdom
is what we want-don't keep us in suspense-
until, of course, we hear your word,
and realize it's not what we wanted or expected.

Give justice to the weak and orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and destitute-
sounds like youthful idealism ...nice,
but hard to implement on our budget.

Older doesn't always mean wiser
in understanding your word.
Whatever our age, it is your Spirit within us
that makes for understanding.