By What Authority?--June 15, 2013

 We want to know where the authority resides.

It may be true that many waters cannot

quench love, nor floods drown it;

but arguments over who has

the authority can kill love.

Thus, O God, we want

you to show your authority.

Let us see your muscle; make your

glorious power manifest to us, to our children.

But pray, use it for building us up, not tearing us down.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Song of Sol. 5:10-16; 7:1-7a, 9; 8:6-7

2 Cor. 13:1-13

Luke 20:1-8

Selected Verses

Ps. 90:16

Let your work be manifest to your servants,
          and your glorious power to their children.

Song of Sol. 8:7

Many waters cannot quench love,

neither can floods drown it.

2 Cor. 13:10

So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come, I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

Luke 20:1-8

One day, as [Jesus] was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, "Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things?  Who is it who gave you this authority?"