The Powerful Brought Down--Dec. 22, 2011

Mighty God, you have brought down the powerful and lifted up the lowly;
you have filled the hungry with good things, have sent the rich away empty.

We who crave power and riches ought to tremble in fear; we know we have
deeply betrayed your steadfast love. In our day of trouble we call on you.

Deliver us, that we may glorify you. Teach us to look forward to the time
when all nations shall walk by your light and all give you glory and honor.

Lectionary Readings
Psalms 50, 147:1-11, 53, 17
Isaiah 31:1-9
Revelation 21:22-22:5
Luke 1:39-56

Selected Verses
Psalm 50:15
“…Call on me in the day of trouble;
      I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
                  [God speaks to God’s people]

Isaiah 31:6
Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel.

Revelation 21:24-26
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.

Luke 1:39-56
“…He has shown strength with his arm;
      he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
      and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
      and sent the rich away empty. … ”
                  [Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s blessing]