Manifold Grace--Nov. 27, 2021

[From Nov. 28, 2009 archive; 

adapted from my Dec. 2, 2001 journal]

 

God of manifold grace, 

let our eyes be opened,

for our soul clings to you; 

your right hand upholds us.

 

Help us see the needs of others

and how you want us to serve them.

Grant us humility to let others serve us.

Give us grace to live within the boundaries

 

that you have established for us, 

but to expand the narrow borders

that we have set for ourselves,

for your grace knows no limits.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 63; 149; 125; 90

Micah 7:11-20

1 Pet. 4:7-19

Matt. 20:29-34

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 24:9

Lift up your heads, O gates!

            and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

            that the King of glory may come in.

 

Amos 2:6-7a

Thus says the LORD:

For three transgressions of Israel,

            and for four, I will not revoke the punishment;

because they sell the righteous for silver,

            and the needy for a pair of sandals—

they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, 

            and push the afflicted out of the way…

 

1 Thess. 5:9-10

For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.

 

Luke 21:7

[The disciples] asked [Jesus], “Teacher, when will this be, and what is the sign that it is about to take place?”