You call us to be holy, too.
We try, and we fail.
We fail often, fail severely; we despair.
Are we only worms, not human—
unable to follow where you lead?
You must believe otherwise, or you would not call us.
You must believe that eventually we will follow.
Perhaps you call us to do more than you expect or want us to do,
as you tested Abraham in commanding him to sacrifice his son.
When we fail the test, as Peter failed,
do we grow even in our failure?
That is up to us, at the same time up to you,
for growth into you is a joint endeavor.
Lectionary Readings
Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130
Gen. 22:1-14
1 Pet. 1:10-20
John 13:36-38
Selected Verses
Ps. 22:6
But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
Gen. 22:12
[The Angel of the LORD] said [to Abraham], “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
1 Pet. 1:15-16
Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
John 13:37-38
Peter said to [Jesus], “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”
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