August 29, 2008

I. Readings
Psalms 6, 20, 88
Job 9:1-15, 32-35
Acts 10:34-48
John 7:37-52

II. Selections
Psalm 88:8c-9a
I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow.

Job 9:14
"How then can I answer [ God],
choosing my words with him? ... "
[ Job replies to Bildad]

Acts 10:38
" ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ... "
[ Peter preaching to Cornelius and his relatives and friends]

John 7:37-38a
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. ... "

III. Meditation: Shut in with no escape

When we are shut in and we cannot escape,
when our eye grows dim with sorrow,
when we argue with you, but words fail us,

then remind us how you anointed Jesus
with the Holy Spirit and with power; how
he went about doing good, healing all who

were oppressed (for you were with him);
how he invited all who were thirsty to come
to him and all who believed in him to drink.