In Praise of Companionship--July 17, 2019

[From July 13, 2011 archive; adapted from my journal, July 12, 1999]

Jonathan cherished David,

the wedding guests delight to be with the bridegroom,

and we take pleasure in your presence, O Christ.

Mark, Barnabas, and Saul found strength

in traveling together when they did your work,

and we find support in our companions in the faith.

Without them, and without you,

full of nothingness

we would blow away like chaff.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 89:1-18; 147:1-11; 1; 33

1 Sam. 20:1-23

Acts 12:18-25

Mark 2:13-22

Selected Verses

Ps. 1:4

The wicked are not so,
          but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

1 Sam. 20:17

Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own life.

Acts 12:25

Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Mark 2:19

Jesus said to [those who asked why his disciples did not fast], “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  …"