January 02, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 9, 29, 48
1 Kings 19:1-8
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:1-14

II. Selections
Psalm 48:13b-14
...that you may tell the next generation
that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
He will be our guide forever.

1 Kings 19:4
But [ Elijah] himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors."

Ephesians 4:6
...one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

John 6:12
When [ the people in the crowd] were satisfied, [ Jesus] told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."

III. Meditation: That nothing may be lost

Our ancestors died, and we are no better than they,
but it is up to us to tell the next generation that you
are the one God and Father of us all, who is above
all and through all and in all. You are our God and
you will be our guide forever and ever. When the
time comes for us to die, you will still be our God;
but meanwhile we must gather up the fragments of
the bread you have given, that nothing may be lost.