Wednesday, December 16, 2020

An excerpt from Malachi 3:16-4:6 (NRSV)
Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name.

Reflection from Anne Jolly:
When I started seminary, my name was written in a giant book of people who had entered into study there. There was a beautiful worship service with ceremonial signing next to our written name in the book, and I knew that I would forever be a part of Sewanee – my name was in the book, and I feel that connection acutely. If you are reading this, then you have thought on the Lord’s name – and so your name is remembered before God. What does it feel like to know that you are known to God by name? Does it change how you think or act or want to spend your time and thoughts?

For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Psalm 125; Malachi 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:9-13

Photo by Anne Regalado for the youth photo contest.

Music
“O God Beyond All Praising”
Tune from Holst’s The Planets, arr. for jazz violin/piano.
A variety of texts are set to this tune, but this is one of the most lovely.

“...we”ll triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.”

Link to listen to the music