I. Readings
Psalms 22, 105, 130
Exodus 9:13-35
2 Corinthians 4:1-12
Mark 10:32-45
II. Selections
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
Exodus 9:27
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong."
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed ...
Mark 10:34
" ...[ the Gentiles] will mock [ the Son of Man], and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again." [ Jesus to the twelve]
III. Meditation: The words of our groaning
It is hard for us to admit that you are in the right,
and that we and our people are in the wrong,
that our sin has brought trouble upon us.
When our suffering becomes too intense to bear,
we ask why you are so far from helping us,
even assume that you have forsaken us.
Afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down,
Paul's faith still permitted him to follow you;
our response would be words of groaning.
When we complain of our misery, remind us of one
whom they mocked, spat upon, flogged, killed-
how on the third day you raised him to life.
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