Not Much to Boast About--March 5, 2017

[From March 13, 2011]

I have not much to boast about.

All the wisdom I gain from

the world, you render foolish.

The wealth I have received, I should share;

the power I have been given, I should

employ to support the oppressed.

Not much to boast about,

but much to rejoice over.

O God, let me shout for

joy and be glad in you;

let me be a new wineskin

to receive your new wine,

you who delight in steadfast

love, justice, and righteousness.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 84; 150; 42; 32

Jer. 9:23-24

1 Cor. 1:18-31

Mark 2:18-22

Selected Verses

Ps. 32:11

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous,
            and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Jer. 9:23-24

Thus says the LORD: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD.

1 Cor. 1:20

Where is the one who is wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Mark 2:22

“…And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”  [Jesus to those who asked why his disciples did not fast]