Reflection on readings for May 4

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to you O Lord.
(adapted from Psalm 104:33-34)

Judges 19:1-20:48
On their way back home, they were staying in Gibeah, a city of the Benjamites. Some perverse men attacked the house, demanding that the householder turn him over to them to be raped. He offered her instead in order to protect himself. When he found her dead body the next morning, he cut it up into twelve pieces to send the evidence of the crime to each of the tribes. When they assembled, he did not mention that he had offered her as a sacrifice in an attempt to save himself.

War ensued. Twenty-five thousands Benjamites were killed, and their cities were destroyed. We don't know the woman's name or ever hear her speak.

John 3:22-4:3

Psalm 104:24-35
The Lord has created all things, the earth and the creatures on it, the seas and the creeping things that live in it, the food we need. Let everyone rejoice. The psalmist sings of praise and rejoicing. Yet, among all this goodness provided us, some will still sin. How should we who benefit from God's work then do work ourselves to cut out sin? Can we come up with some effective preventive treatments?

Proverbs 14:22-24
Do they not err that plan evil?
Those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.
The crown of the wise is their wisdom,
but folly is the garland of fools.

Prayer for Today: Choose a prayer from Joan Stott's website The Timeless Psalms.