September 15, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
Job 29:1, 31:24-40
Acts 15:12-21
John 11:30-44

II. Selections
Psalm 65:7
You silence the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples.

Job 31:29
" ...If I have rejoiced at the ruin of those who hated me,
or exulted when evil overtook them ..." [ Job]

Acts 15:12
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

John 11:41
So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. ... "

III. Meditation: Silence

You silence the roaring of the waves,
the tumult of the peoples.

There is a time to be silent, to listen;
a time to be silent, to be filled with awe;
a time to be silent, attending to your signs and wonders;
a time to be silent, and suppress the instinct to rejoice
that evil and ruin have overtaken ones who hate us.

Thank you for silence, when we can hear you;
thank you for silence, when you hear us.