Wednesday 7 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)
The Pulley
by George Herbert.
When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
"Let us," said he, "pour on him all we can.
Let the world’s riches, which dispersèd lie,
Contract into a span."
So strength first made a way;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.
"For if I should," said he,
"Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
So both should losers be."
"Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast."
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. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—
3. who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4. who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5. 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.’
Psalm 103. Music: Markus Geissbühler, Switzerland (2014). Earth Choir and Animato Symphonic Orchestra, cond. Markus Geissbühler.
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.
May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen.