Dragged Away with the Wicked--Aug. 1, 2017

[From July 26, 2011 archive]

Sometimes I feel dragged away with the wicked,

or surrounded by too much coming and going.

I need to find a deserted place where I can go

all by myself and rest a while, where you

can open my heart so that eagerly I can listen

for your word and be dismissed in peace--

lest I speak peace with my neighbors

while mischief is in my heart.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99

2 Sam. 3:6-21

Acts 16:6-15

Mark 6:30-46

Selected Verses

Ps. 28:3

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
          with those who are workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors,
          while mischief is in their hearts.

2 Sam. 3:21

So David dismissed Abner, and he went away in peace.

Acts 16:14

A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth.  The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.

Mark 6:30-31

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.  He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.