September 5, 2021, Lectionary

The Lord pleads the cause of the poor. Sometimes He pleads that cause for me, sometimes through me for others, and sometimes within me for others. Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

In the same way mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people. Jerusalem sits in the mountains. The mountains are higher than the city, so our God is higher than any thing we are. This is a comfort and reminder to me. Psalm 125

From the context, one can see that when James speaks of the "perfect law of liberty" or the "royal law" he means the Ten Commandments which can be partially summed up in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." James 2:1-17

The more he told them not to tell, the more zealously they proclaimed it. I ask myself, Who is shushing my telling what Jesus has done for me, and how am I telling anyway? Mark 7:24-37

Thoughts about Listening

Giving listening as a free gift requires an attitude of generosity. Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

It's your choice to whom you give the gift of listening, as with any gift. Psalm 125

Ancient law is "love your neighbor as yourself." I ask myself, How well do I stop and listen to my neighbor and to myself? James 2:1-17

Listening and talking are such important ways of interacting. If you find a course in listening, take it! Mark 7:24-37