Dr. M I L K

1 So I exhort the presbyters ² among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.
2 Tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ³

Psalms
Chapter 23

1 A psalm of David. ² The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
2 In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;
3 you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
4 Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.
5 You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

Matthew
Chapter 16

13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi ² he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, ³ others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood ⁵ has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, ⁶ and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. ⁷ Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Tuesday, February 22, 2005