Above: Flood, 1924
Image Source = Library of Congress
Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-npcc-11224
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The Collect:
God of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe
and the beginning of time you are the triune God:
Author of creation, eternal Word of salvation, life-giving Spirit of wisdom.
Guide is to all truth by your Spirit, that we may
proclaim all that Christ has revealed and rejoice in the glory he shares with us.
Glory and praise to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 37
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The Assigned Readings:
Daniel 1:1-21
Psalm 124
Luke 1:46b-55
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…our help is in the name of Yahweh,
who made heaven and earth.
–Psalm 124:8, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
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The theme of divine favor unites the readings for this day. Daniel and his companions obey kosher food laws in a foreign land. They are therefore healthier than they would have been otherwise. They also gain the favor of a Gentile potentate. Of course, their fidelity pleases God. Psalm 124 thanks God for delivering the people from threats. One might note that the Assyrian and Babylonian Exiles still occurred, of course. Nothing in Psalm 124 denies the reality of both divine judgment and mercy, however. And the Magnificat speaks of God’s favor for St. Mary (later of Nazareth) and the downtrodden. The theme of the reversal of fortune, which is prominent in the Gospel of Luke, is on display in the passage from chapter 1.
I have learned the hard way that certain misfortunes come simply because one has breath. Sometimes one is merely unfortunate–even in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even then one is never alone, for God is ever-present. Grace transforms unfortunate circumstances into occasions of abundant grace. Even as one suffers God sets a table for one cup in the presence of one’s enemies, and one’s cup overflows. One can, during times of adversity, speak as the author of Psalm 124 wrote:
Then water was washing us away,
a torrent running over us;
running right over us then
were turbulent waters.
Blessed be Yahweh for not letting us fall
a prey to their teeth!
–Verses 4-6, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
Here ends the lesson.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 26, 2016 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP
THE FEAST OF EMILY MALBONE MORGAN, FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE COMPANIONS OF THE HOLY CROSS
THE FEAST OF FRED ROGERS, EDUCATOR AND U.S. PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER
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Adapted from this post:
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BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
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