December 03, 2006

I. Readings
Psalms 24, 25, 110
Isaiah 1:1-9
2 Peter 3:1-10
Matthew 25:1-13

II. Selections
Psalm 25:11
For your name's sake, O LORD,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Isaiah 1:2
Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth;
for the LORD has spoken:
I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.

2 Peter 3:1-2
This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles.

Matthew 25:2-4
Five of [ the bridesmaids] were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

III. Meditation: Pardon our guilt

You testify against us,
and your testimony is irrefutable:
you have reared us and brought us up,
but we have rebelled against you.

We have ignored the words of your holy prophets,
and the commandment of our Lord and Savior,
we have been like the foolish bridesmaids.
Pardon our guilt, for it is great.