Not to Run in Vain--Jan. 26, 2021

Redeemer God, Holy One of Israel,

you teach us for our own good;

you lead us in the way we should go.

 

You lift up those who are bowed down,

care for strangers, defend the poor—

and you call us to be part of your caring. 

 

But you ask us prayerfully to consult 

with others of your followers

to make sure we do not run in vain.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 54; 146; 28; 99

Isa. 48:12-22

Gal. 1:18-2:10

Mark 6:1-13

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 146:8b-9

The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
          the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the strangers;
          he upholds the orphan and the widow,
          but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

 

Isa. 48:17

Thus says the LORD,
          your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the LORD your God,
          who teaches you for your own good,
          who leads you in the way you should go.

 

Gal. 2:2b

Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain.

 

Mark 6:7-8

[Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.  He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts…