July 18, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 1, 33, 89:1-18
1 Samuel 20:1-23
Acts 12:18-25
Mark 2:13-22

II. Selections
Psalm 1:1
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers ...

1 Samuel 20:17
Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life.

Acts 12:22
The people kept shouting [ when King Herod spoke], "The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!"

Mark 2:16
When the scribes of [ sic] the Pharisees saw that [ Jesus] was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

III. Meditation: Different motives

We are warned against advice from the wicked,
and not to walk in the way of sinners,
and not to sit with scoffers.

Jonathan spoke to David out of deep love;
the people shouted cynical praise to Herod.
Motivations could not have been more different.

Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors,
and his accusers blamed him for it;
again, how different the motives!