To a Stiff-Necked People--May 14, 2014

To a stiff-necked people, dear God,

you gave a land of milk and honey.

I, too, belong to a stiff-necked people,

one entrusted with the gospel message.

We confess our righteousness does not

exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees;

but you have opened to us the gates of  

righteousness, and we have entered in.

Grant that all we do and say may be

to please you, not to please mortals.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 99; 147:1-11; 9; 118

Exod. 33:1-23

1 Thess. 2:1-12

Matt. 5:17-20

Selected Verses

Ps. 118:19

 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
          that I may enter through them
          and give thanks to the LORD.

Exod. 33:3

"…Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people."

1 Thess. 2:4

…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 

Matt. 5:20

"…For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  [Jesus to the crowd on the mountain]