Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ, ELW 674 & WOV 754
Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one,
at the table he sets the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) ev'rywhere!
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Devotion
It’s been a week of ‘sharp words,’ to evoke the image of Wednesday’s Hebrews text. They can weigh us down with guilt of having too many things, with shame for the times when our selfishness keeps us from helping others, with worry that we aren’t doing what we could or should for God’s kingdom.
But though the law may convict us, we are also people of the gospel. This fabulous hymn (which really should be sung with lots of rhythm instruments) is awash in grace. It reminds us that we are united by Jesus, who “makes us one … teaches us to live to bless … calls us in and sends us out … gives us love to tell and bread to share.” This same Jesus draws all people to himself – the wise and the foolish, the old and the young, the rich and the poor – and claims them as his own. There are no sweeter words than that.
Prayer
Jesus, may the words of my mouth and the work of my hands bring you glory and give the world joy. Amen.