March 15, 2010

In a World of Ravenous Wolves

I. Readings
Psalms 119:73-80, 145, 121, 6
Genesis 49:1-28
1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1
Mark 7:24-37

II. Selections
Psalm 6:1
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger,
or discipline me in your wrath.

Genesis 49:27
“…Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey, and at evening dividing the spoil.” [From Jacob’s last words to his sons]

1 Corinthians 10:32-33
Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.

Mark 7:24b-25
[Jesus] entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet.

III. Meditation

The world is full of ravenous wolves,
in the morning devouring prey,
at evening dividing the spoil.

There is every reason
for the rebuke of your anger
and the discipline of your wrath.

You call us to a path different from the way of the world.
You would have us seek not our own advantage,
but that of many, so they may be saved.

Jesus did not want attention, but his
deeds of love could not escape notice;
his acts of healing attracted crowds.

Lead us also into acts of kindness,
not in pursuit of approval or praise,
but for your sake and the sake of those you love.