Sunday’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome includes my favorite Bible verse, Romans 5:5: “the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
As I gathered possible preaching points, I pursued “pouring” by collecting the following verses. I invite you to read and appreciate the many gracious gifts God wishes to pour upon us.
Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.
Sirach 1:9-10
It is [God] who created her [Wisdom]; he saw her and took her measure; he poured her out upon all his works, upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him.
Sirach 18:8-11
What are human beings, and of what use are they? What is good in them, and what is evil? The number of days in their life is great if they reach one hundred years. Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand, so are a few years among the days of eternity. That is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy upon them.
Joel 2:28-29
Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.
Zechariah 12:10
And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. . . .
Let us pray.
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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