May 06, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 66, 98, 116, 146
1 Samuel 16:1-13a
Ephesians 3:4-21
Matthew 8:18-27

II. Selections
Psalms 146:5a, 7
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob ...
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.

1 Samuel 16:11a
Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?"

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine ...

Matthew 8:27
[ The disciples] were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

III. Meditation: All here?

"Are all your sons here?" asked Samuel of Jesse.
"Is all your family here at the table?" you ask us.
Where are the oppressed, crying out for justice?
Where are the hungry, who are starving for food?

But there are so many poor and oppressed,
and we are so powerless to help them, dear God.
Why not send us Jesus, whose commands even
the winds and sea obeyed? He can rescue them.

You did send Jesus; but though the winds
and the sea obeyed him, we have not.
Now you ask us to use your power at work
within us, able to do more than we can imagine.