Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.(From The Daily Office)

1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!
Psalm 64 New Revised Standard Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading): Jeremiah 17:5-10,14-18 – Philippians 4:1-13 - John 12:27-36