At last month’s peer minister retreat my colleague Father Jim suggested a close look at the letter to the Ephesians as a reflection on call, baptism, and ministry. In look at this weekend’s Lectionary Psalm, I found an interesting chimera with a short passage from Paul’s letter. Psalm 116:1-9 & Ephesians 1:18-20. I’m using this for a group prayer later today. What do you think of it:
All: I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
(Pause)
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
(Pause)
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones …
(Pause)
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
“O LORD, save my life!”
(Pause)
… and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might …
(Pause)
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
(Pause)
… which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens …
(Pause)
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
(Pause)
All: I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
