Deus Misereatur

Sunday morning: O Child who was born, Son who was given, Wonderful Counselor , who has done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure (Isaiah 25.1); may your hand be on those who need your wisdom: especially parents of young kids, teenagers, and adult children, that they may counsel with your wisdom and lead with your insight. We pray as well for your prudent discernment to be bestowed on those making tough decisions with regard to work, family issues, relationships, and future direction. / And we pray for those afflicted … may your wisdom settle and strengthen their hearts as they place themselves in your hands. O Wonderful Counselor , hear our prayer. You who are on the throne of David and over his kingdom, Mighty God ; We pray: “ O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free / thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, & give them victory o’er the grave .” Govern the nations of the earth to seek out and pursue what is fair and equitable for t...

 " Judge not , and you will not be judged; condemn not , and you will not be condemned; forgive , and you will be forgiven; give , and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you " (Luke 6.37-38). This was part of my morning devotional reading today as I read through the Gospel according to Luke. These verses always make me skip a beat, and momentarily pause. I've highlighted the four main verbs, and then italicized and underlined the punchline. First, it doesn't appear to me that Jesus is saying anything here about how God acts toward his children. This is not a divine-human quid pro quo , this-for-that  kind of program. Instead, the context is one dealing with people, living daily with others. Jesus is almost sitting in the seat of Solomon here, handing out proverbial wisdom. Second, the point of the statement: be as charitable and g...