To Live with More “Yes, Yes”--May 8, 2020

About this there can be no equivocation—

to see face to face someone we love,

 especially after a long absence,

is to feel joy before God.

Lord God, if even the trees of the forest

sing for joy in anticipation of your coming,

no wonder the face of Moses shone

after talking with you.

Teach us how to feel closer to you,

to feel more joy in your presence,

and to find more certitude in it.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138

Exod. 34:18-35

1 Thess. 3:1-13

Matt. 5:27-37

Selected Verses

Ps. 96:12b-13a

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
          before the LORD; for he is coming,
          for he is coming to judge the earth.

Exod. 34:29

Moses came down from Mount Sinai.  As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 

1 Thess. 3:9-10

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Matt. 5:37

 “…Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.  …”

[Jesus, to the crowds on the mountain]