O the promise of God’s presence
spurned as greed led to contempt
and to the great revocation
and to death.
One made God his chosen portion,
to do God’s will his daily bread.
Full of delight in all God’s people
he will not be held by death.
O the horror of being hurled away,
whirled round and round, thrust down,
vocation taken away.
Despair cuts out a tomb –
or is cut off on the holy hill,
pegged to the uncorrupt one
who fastened to the cross
draws all people to himself.
“The promise is for you,
for your children, and for all who are far away.”
It is for the fullness of God’s people,
as Matthias testifies today.
With Jesus from the beginning,
twice he saw him taken away,
now a witness of the resurrection,
and of the great re-vocation.
Called to abide in God’s presence,
called to remain faithful to the end,
called to be friends of Jesus,
and called to bear fruit that will last.
1 Samuel 2.27-35; Acts 2.37-47; Psalm 16; Isaiah 22.15-25;
Psalm 15; Acts 1.15-26; John 15.9-17
