While I Was Languishing--July 5, 2019

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[From July 5, 2013 archive]

When they persecuted you, Lord Jesus, there was trembling 

and wailing; bones shaking with terror; great panic 

everywhere. 

Today when babies died of hunger because their mothers

were starving; when there was panic all around for

lack of food,

while I was languishing in my comfortable space,

I wonder--was I, too, guilty of persecuting

you, Jesus?

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 88; 148; 6; 20

1 Sam. 13:19-14:15

Acts 9:1-9

Luke 23:26-31

Selected Verses

Ps. 6:2

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
          O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.

1 Sam. 14:15

There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison and even the raiders trembled; the earth quaked; and it became a very great panic.

Acts 9:5

[Saul] asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  …"

Luke 23:26-27

As they led [Jesus] away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.  A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.