Wednesday 10 December
Antiphon: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.
Wedge-tailed eagle, Aquila audax, Australia and PNG.
". . . who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Ps. 103.5)
"Mysteries, Yes", from Evidence (2009), by Mary Oliver.
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
Isaiah 40:25-31
To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 103.1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Matthew 11:28-30
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Almighty and ever-living God, we rest in you the love of your Son. We entrust our very lives into his hands. Save us from restless self-destruction. We trust you Lord, for your love and mercy is without end. We go to you humbly and we find our rest in you. We seek your rest in Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 103, verses 1-4, 8-10. Reformed Church of Zeerijp. Organist:Dennis Wubs.
It's the fabulous 1651 Theodorus Faber organ, as played by Wubs, that's the star here!
Zegen, mijn ziel, de grote naam des Heeren,
laat al wat binnen in mij is Hem eren,
vergeet niet hoe zijn liefd' u heeft geleid,
gedenk zijn goedheid, die u wil vergeven,
die u geneest, die uit het graf uw leven
verlost en kroont met goedertierenheid.
[. . .]
Hij is een God van liefde en genade,
barmhartigheid en goedheid zijn de daden
van Hem die niet voor altijd met ons twist,
die ons niet doet naar alles wat wij deden,
ons niet naar onze ongerechtigheden
vergeldt, maar onze schuld heeft uitgewist.
English text from An Australian Prayer Book (not a strict translation of the traditional Dutch version)
1. Praise the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name.
2. Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits,
3. Who forgives all your sin and heals all your infirmities,
4. Who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with mercy and compassion.
[. . .]
8. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and of great goodness.
9. He will not always be chiding nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10. He has not dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen.