Above: The Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon
Image in the Public Domain
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Collect:
O God, judge eternal, you love justice and hate oppression,
and you call us to share your zeal for truth.
Give us courage to take our stand with all victims of bloodshed and greed,
and, following your servants and prophets, to look to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 45
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Assigned Readings:
Joshua 7:1, 10-26 (Thursday)
1 Samuel 5:1-12 (Friday)
1 Samuel 6:1-16 (Saturday)
Psalm 82 (All Days)
Hebrews 10:26-31 (Thursday)
Hebrews 10:32-39 (Friday)
Matthew 24:15-27 (Saturday)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
God takes his stand in the divine assembly,
surrounded by the gods he gives judgement.
–Psalm 82:1, The New Jerusalem Bible (1985)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In 1 Samuel 5 and 6 Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant, which proved to be more than they knew how to handle. Idols bowed down to the Ark. The Ashdodites came down with what was most likely venereal disease, although other translations include hemorrhoids and the bubonic plague. The Philistines returned the Ark promptly.
God is more than we mere mortals can handle or contain. Some of our theological propositions are true (at least partially), but the combination of these does not equal the truth of God. There is always a glorious mystery of divinity; one should accept and embrace it. We ought to persevere in faith and good works, especially when doing so is difficult. Doing the right thing during good times is easy, and every day is a good day for faith and good works. Yet keeping faith during challenging times is when, as an old saying tells us, the rubber meets the road. When we fail, we have an obligation to express remorse and to repent.
Writing these words and creating this post is easy. Living these words is more difficult, however. I have to work on that task daily. The results vary from day to day and from time of day to time of day. To keep trying is crucial. To do so while trusting in God, who is always somewhat mysterious, and in the existence of grace makes succeeding more likely.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 23, 2016 COMMON ERA
WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK
THE FEAST OF GEORGE RUNDLE PRYNNE, ANGLICAN PRIEST, POET, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, PATRIARCH OF ARMENIA
THE FEAST OF HEINRICH VON LAUFENBERG, GERMAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF LIMA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Adapted from this post:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BLOGA THEOLOGICA 
Pingback: Devotion for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Before Proper 15, Year C (ELCA Daily Lectionary) | ORDINARY TIME DEVOTIONS