July 20, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 51, 65, 142
1 Samuel 21:1-15
Acts 13:13-25
Mark 3:7-19a

II. Selections
Psalm 142:3
When my spirit is faint,
you know my way.
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.

1 Samuel 21:1
David came to Nob to the priest Ahimelech. Ahimelech came trembling to meet David, and said to him, "Why are you alone, and no one with you?"

Acts 13:13
Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem ...

Mark 3:13
[ Jesus] went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him.

III. Meditation: Choosing companions

Jesus went up the mountain,
called to him those he wanted,
and they came to him;
but from the beginning
there was a trap hidden for him.

David approached alone,
and Ahimelech was fearful.
Perhaps he sensed the trap
that was about to be sprung.
At any rate, his spirit was faint.

John Mark left the company of Paul
and returned to Jerusalem-
perhaps his spirit was faint.
When our spirit is faint,
you know our way.