What Is Easy and What Is Difficult--Nov. 20, 2018

[From Nov. 2008 archive]

It is easy to praise you for the bounty we receive. 

It is not easy to praise you when bad things happen to us. 

If my mouth praises, it ought not to curse. 

To rebuke a sinner is not easy,

though to curse the sinner

behind the person’s back is easy. 

Most difficult is to forgive the offense,

especially if it was against me. 

O you who are the upholder of my life,

give me the courage and wisdom and grace

to be forgiving, as you have forgiven me.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99

Hab. 3:1-18

James 3:1-12

Luke 17:1-10

Selected Verses

Ps. 54:4

But surely, God is my helper;

            the LORD is the upholder of my life.

Hab. 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not blossom,

            and no fruit is on the vines;

though the produce of the olive fails

            and the fields yield no food;

though the flock is cut off from the fold

            and there is no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD;

            I will exalt in the God of my salvation.

James 3:10

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.

Luke 17:3

“…Be on guard!  If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive.  …  ”  [Jesus to his disciples]