Jim:
Song of Solomon 1:1-3, 9-11, 15-16a, 2:1-3a
These readings alternate beteen the words of a woman and those of a man, each expressing their love and devotion for one another. As such, many have seen this exchange as symbolic of the love of God for Israel, Christ's love for the Church, or Christ's love for the individual believer. In any case, there is love and regard and respect apparent in these verses. They express great joy. God certainly invites that kind of love, devotion, and joy in our lives, if only we will focus ourselves on God.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Verses 8-9a are insightful: "Three times (writes Paul) I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for powere is made perfect in weakness.'" We do not know what Paul was afflicted with, what he prayed to be relieved of, but God's words offer hope to us all, espceially when we face difficulties or challenges. God's grace is sufficient and we are most powerful when we reject human power for God's grace, even if our trust in God appears to the world to be weakness.
Luke 19:28-40
I focused in on verses 39-40: "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, order your disciples to stop.' He answered, 'I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'" Christ's Lordship calls for our attention. But sometimes we may find it "inconvenient" or "embarrassing" to worship Christ with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. No matter. God will raise up stones, in necessary, to offer praise. Whuy not go ahead and make our voices a part of the chorus? Why not do what we know is right, even if others find it to be"inappropriate"?
No comments:
Post a Comment