More Swiftly Than a Dream--Oct. 2, 2010

I. Readings
Psalms 63, 149, 125, 90
Hosea 5:1-7
Acts 22:17-29
Luke 6:27-38

II. Selections
Psalm 90:5-6
You sweep [the years] away; they are like a dream,
      like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
      in the evening it fades and withers.

Hosea 5:5
Israel’s pride testifies against him;
      Ephraim stumbles in his guilt;
      Judah also stumbles with them.

Acts 22:23
And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that [Paul] was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him.

Luke 6:27-28
“…But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you. … ” [Jesus to his disciples and a great multitude who had come to hear him and be healed]

III. Meditation

The years of our lives fade more swiftly than a dream.
We are important in our own eyes, but our pride
testifies against us; we stumble in our guilt.

In our ignorance we become angry and condemn the innocent.
How far we are from your command to love our enemies,
do good to those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us!