The Breath that Makes for Understanding--Sept. 10, 2018

[From Sept. 6, 2010 archive]

How do we rescue the weak and

needy from the hand of the Wicked?

Do we simply leave such things to you,

while we shake the dust off our feet

in protest and move on? 

Or instead of leaving it to you, do we

attempt to make the rescue ourselves?

Help us find the middle way,

where we are your instruments of action,

but instruments you hold in your hand.

Breathe your Spirit into us, that we may

have true understanding.  We ask no

greater gift than an understanding

of how we can serve you…unless it be

the grace to act upon such understanding.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 5; 145; 82; 29

Job 32:1-10, 32:19-33:1, 33:19-28

Acts 13:44-52

John 10:19-30

Selected Verses

Ps. 82:4

“…Rescue the weak and the needy;

            deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

[God speaking in the divine council]

Job 32:8

“…But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.  …  ” 

[Elihu son of Barachel to Job and his three friends]

Acts 13:51

So [Paul and Barnabas] shook the dust off their feet in protest against [their persecutors], and went to Iconium.

John 10:29

“…What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.  …  ”  [Jesus in the temple]