What You Have Done, What We Must Do--Nov. 20, 2021

[From Nov. 23, 2019 archive]

 

Lord, you offer us the water of life,

and we have received your mercy,

but likewise we must be merciful.

 

We have eaten the fat, drunk the sweet wine,

but we must share the rich gifts with others.

 

You have made us, and we are yours,

but you have also made other sheep,

and we must help care for them, too.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 149; 100; 63

Neh. 7:73b-8:3, 5-18

Rev. 22:14-21

Matt. 18:21-35

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 100:3

Know that the LORD is God.
          It is he that made us, and we are his;
          we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

 

Neh. 8:10

Then [Nehemiah] said to [the people], “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

 

Rev. 22:17b

     And let everyone who is thirsty come.
     Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

 

Matt. 18:33

“…‘Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’  …”  [In Jesus’ parable, the king]