Before the Silver Cord Is Broken--June 15, 2012

(From June 11, 2004 archive)
Before it is too late, teach us to turn to you.
The days of trouble will come, and if our pleasure
is not in you, we will find no happiness or contentment.
Before the silver cord is broken, and our dust returns
to the earth that it was, and our breath returns to
you who gave it—yes, long before that time,
O God, may we lift up our soul to you
in praise and put our trust in you.

Grant us the compassion gently
to help the transgressor, and the wisdom
to avoid temptation ourselves. Set our mind
not on human things but on divine things,
lest we be a stumbling block to those
who seek to do your will.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 84; 148; 25; 40
Eccl. 11:9-12:14
Gal. 5:25-6:10
Matt. 16:21-28

Selected Verses
Ps. 25:1-2
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
      do not let me be put to shame;
      do not let my enemies exult over me.

Eccl. 12:1, 6-7
Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”…before the silver cord is snapped, and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it.

Gal. 6:1
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

Matt. 16:23
But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”