When Our Accusers Arrive--Oct. 6, 2010

I. Readings
Psalms 89:1-18, 147:1-11, 1, 33
Hosea 8:1-14
Acts 23:23-35
Luke 7:18-35

II. Selections
Psalm 33:22
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
      even as we hope in you.

Hosea 8:44
Israel has forgotten his Maker,
      and built palaces;
and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;
      but I will send a fire upon his cities,
      and it shall devour his strongholds.

Acts 23:34-35a
On reading the letter, [Felix the Governor] asked what province [Paul] belonged in, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.”

Luke 7:25
“…What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. … ” [Jesus asks the crowd about their expectations for John the Baptist]

III. Meditation

We hope in you, O God,
but do we know you?
Know you and trust you?
No, we have forgotten you,
you who are our Maker.

Look, we build fine houses
and dress in fine clothing
and multiply our defenses;
but when our accusers arrive,
our fortifications will fail us.

Dare we invoke your blessing
and ask for your steadfast love?
Who do we imagine you to be—
a luxury-lover of royal palaces?
God, save us from our selfish ways.