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| This pandemic is far from over and as days drag into weeks and months, we feel the strain physically, economically, and spiritually. In this fifth week of Eastertide, we continue the practice of daily Scripture readings and prayers so that we might find assurance and cause for hope in looking to Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
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| | | Friday, Fifth Week of Easter
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| A Prayer for Deliverance (Psalm 140:1-13, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the print passage for Sunday’s lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
140:1 Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
2 who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers.Selah
4 Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent
who have planned my downfall.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net,
along the road they have set snares for me.Selah
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God;
give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.”
7 O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot. Selah
9 Those who surround me lift up their heads;
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall on them!
Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
11 Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
12 I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.
The Good We Do for Others (Matthew 7:1-12, NRSV)
Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
7:1 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.
7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? 10 Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
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| | Peace Be With You
By Keith Swartzendruber, Senior Administrative Assistant to the Convening Tables, National Council of Churches
When Jesus first revealed himself to the disciples after his resurrection, his first words were “peace be with you”. This simple greeting covered all the emotions the disciples were feeling at that time: grief, pain, joy, anger, fear, and others. Jesus speaks these words to us as well during this emotional time.
When we are grieving, Jesus grieves with us:
peace be with you,
When we are joyous, Jesus celebrates with us:
peace be with you,
When we are in pain, Jesus hurts with us:
peace be with you,
WHEN WE ARE ANGRY, JESUS RAGES WITH US:
PEACE BE WITH YOU!
when we are scared, Jesus hides with us:
peace be with you,
When we are at peace, Jesus is at peace with us:
peace be with you.
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| Serving as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and more than 40 million Christians in a common expression of God's love and promise of unity. |
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