Out of My Prison--July 19, 2013

[From July 15, 2011 Archive]

O God, now I am out

of my self-imposed prison;

but now who will surround me?

Madmen, pretending to be?

Those with words of exhortation?

Those sent out to proclaim your message?

Let me find the company of the righteous--

O, not exclusively, not every day--

but when I need renewal.

Otherwise, into the world,

and you surround me

for my company.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 51; 148; 142; 65

1 Sam. 21:1-15

Acts 13:13-25

Mark 3:7-19a

Selected Verses

Ps. 142:7

Bring me out of prison,
          so that I may give thanks to your name.
The righteous will surround me,
          for you will deal bountifully with me.

1 Sam. 21:14-15

Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man [David] is mad; why then have you brought him to me?  Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence?  Shall this fellow come into my house?”

Acts 13:15

After the reading of the law and the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent [Paul and his companions] a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.”

Mark 3:13-14

[Jesus] went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him.  And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message…