August 10, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 25, 40, 84
2 Samuel 12:1-14
Acts 19:21-41
Mark 9:14-29

II. Selections
Psalm 84:3
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.

2 Samuel 12:5-6
Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the [ rich man who had taken the poor man's only lamb]. He said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity."

Acts 19:26
You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods.

Mark 9:22
[ The spirit] has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us." [ The father of the boy who suffered convulsions, asking help from Jesus]

III. Meditation: Have pity

You had pity on the sparrow and the swallow
that tried to make their homes in your altars;
Jesus had pity on the boy with seizures;
David was tricked into pity for his victims;
but those in danger of losing their livelihood
showed only rage against Paul, who caused it.