Work and Rest--May 20, 2022

[From May 19, 2006 archive]

 

We are the work of your hands;

do not forsake us;

but fulfill your purpose for us

in our work for you.

 

Part of our work for you

is rest from work—

not for the sake of rest,

but rest for your sake.

 

Thank you for brothers and sisters

you have given us

to share your work,

and for your Spirit at work in them.

 

And when we stray from our work

and presume to judge

the hearts of other workers,

teach us to rest 

and leave that work to you.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 96; 148; 49; 138

Lev. 23:1-22

2 Thess. 2:1-17

Matt. 7:1-12

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 138:8

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

            your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.

            Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 

Lev. 23:3

Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a Sabbath to the LORD throughout your settlements.

 

2 Thess. 2:13

But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

 

Matt. 7:1

“…Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.  …”  [Jesus, to the crowd on the mountain]