October 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 65, 91, 125
Lamentations 2:8-15
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Matthew 12:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 125:3
For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous might not stretch out
their hands to do wrong.

Lamentations 2:11
My eyes are spent with weeping;
my stomach churns;
my bile is poured out on the ground
because of the destruction of my people,
because infants and babes faint
in the streets of the city.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Matthew 12:7
" ...But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. ... " [ Jesus to the Pharisees]

III. Meditation: Lest people be destroyed

Do not let the scepter of wickedness rest upon the righteous,
lest they be tempted to stretch out their hands and do wrong;
lest people be destroyed, and lest infants faint in the streets.

Too often we focus on convention rather than mercy,
which fosters our habit of condemning the guiltless.
Make us steadfast, immovable to excel in your work.