God, You Take Pleasure in Your People--March 22, 2014

Dear God, you take pleasure in your people;

so should we not take pleasure in one another?

You have called us to peace; how can we think

it is an abomination to associate with others?

We know how much you have done for us,

and what mercy you have shown us;

then help us tell this to others--

for all we know, we may

be your instruments

of salvation.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 43; 149; 31; 143

Gen. 43:16-34

1 Cor. 7:10-24

Mark 5:1-20

Selected Verses

Ps. 149:4

 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
          he adorns the humble with victory.

Gen. 43:32

They served [Joseph] by himself, and [his brothers] by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

1 Cor. 7:15b-16

It is to peace that God has called you.  Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband.  Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.

Mark 5:19

But Jesus refused, and said to [the demoniac], "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you."