Help Us to Accept--Dec. 28, 2012

 It is not your will that one of these little ones

should be lost; but in our eyes, many are lost.

Is our vision so limited?

We read that for a brief moment you abandoned

your people; but to us it seems a very long time.

Are we so impatient?

We see ourselves bereaved and barren; we feel

exiled and put away.  Is our understanding so

inadequate?

Help us to accept your redemption and to keep

your covenant and to open ourselves to your

great compassion.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 2; 148; 110; 111

Isa. 49:13-23

Isa. 54:1-13

Matt. 18:1-14

Selected Verses

Ps. 111:9

He sent redemption to his people;
          he has commanded his covenant forever.
          Holy and awesome is his name.

Isa. 49:21

Then you will say in your heart,
          “Who has borne me these?
     I was bereaved and barren,
          exiled and put away —
          so who has reared these?
     I was left all alone —
          where then have these come from?”

Isa. 54:7

For a brief moment I abandoned you,
          but with great compassion I will gather you.

Matt. 18:14

"…So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”  [Jesus to his disciples]