Lectionary thoughts for Proper 4

This, very mixed, collection of ideas are the result of looking at the Lectionary readings and noting the thoughts that 'popped' into my mind. I have, very deliberately, not tried to 'polish' them in any way, mainly because I lack the finesse necessary.

Year A

Proper 4
(Sunday between 29 May and 4 June inclusive, if after Trinity Sunday, ninth Sunday in ordinary Time)
Deuteronomy 11: 18 - 21; 26 - 28

Unless your commands are in our hearts
The thoughts of our minds are cold indeed;
Unless your commands are in our minds
The movement of our hearts are cold indeed.

But we need more than just your commands
We need something of love to motivate them;
We need your Spirit to live in us
We need your Love to motivate us.

Your blessing, as promised, we have found
Through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
Your curse we have brought on ourselves
Through our selfish misuse of your world.

Proper 4A
(Sunday between 29 May and 4 June inclusive, if after Trinity Sunday, ninth Sunday in ordinary Time)
Psalm 31: 1 - 5; 19 - 24

Generations have found
Their solace in you,
The great God of our faith
And each person knows
The commitment to make
Is in Jesus Christ.

Now we too in this day
Must make up our minds
Our Christ Jesus to serve
With body and soul
With our will and our nerve
Our lives to make whole.

Proper 4A
(Sunday between 29 May and 4 June inclusive, if after Trinity Sunday, ninth Sunday in ordinary Time)
Romans 1: 16 - 17, 22b - 28 (29 - 31)

The Gospel we preach
Is under attack
The forces of doubt
Stab us in the back.

The gospel we preach
Is faithful and true
The source of our faith
For me and for you.

The Gospel of Christ
Seems stupid to those
Who do not believe
But that is their choice.

The choice they have made
Is shallow indeed
It means that their lives
All have a great need.

For those without Christ
Are lacking in hope
The stresses of life
Bind tight as a rope.

Thus in Christ alone
Salvation is found
The hope for the world
Is set in this ground.

Proper 4A
(Sunday between 29 May and 4 June inclusive, if after Trinity Sunday, ninth Sunday in ordinary Time)
Matthew 7: 21 - 29

When we call upon you Lord,
We dare not take your name in vain;
When we listen to your Word
Then we build our lives on solid ground.

To build our lives on Jesus' Word
Requires a life-long dedication;
This demands a right order
To the priorities in our life.

We then need look no further
For our life's authority
Than the quality of Jesus' Word
Here, in Jesus, is our foundation.